Braided Rugs

I've read about people using stockings/hose/pantyhose, too. They'd save up their stockings (this was mostly before pantyhose came out, and the hose were made of silk) and then dye them to the desired shade. I've quit wearing any sort of thin light leg coverings, as I no longer work where I need to wear them.

I've also read that people used to save wool clothes for braiding rugs. I think that in this case, they were using things like wool shirts. At any rate, you'd want to make sure to get cloth that was similar in weight and material...and hit the thrift shop when the wool shirts are deeply discounted.

dameselfish and debbiebofjc thank you from Nancy for your nice words.

Nancy said why did I show you the least colorful.

So, here is the Master Bedroom rug,



and, the Living room rug,



and the Kitchen rug,



Enjoy -- rugs by Nancy, pictures and web infor by Alex

__________________
Thou art That

Not to try to dominate, but here is the last picture of Nancy's rug and the Pellet stove,



Make those rugs,

Alex (and Nancy)

__________________
Thou art That

Alex, those are beautiful braided rugs! Very artistic!

Wow, those are great looking rugs. And it's nice to know that the material is being re-used.

I think that I'm going to try saving up my husband's old polo shirts and braiding that fabric.

Alex - those rugs are beautiful! I'm hitting the thrift stores - tell Nancy she's been an inspiration!

Alex,
The rugs are beautiful.....but so are your FLOORS!!!!! What kind of wood is that? Did you do it?

I make the crocheted ones too. I think the ovals are easier to make that way the the truely round ones. A fair sized one takes me about 15 yards of fabric. I like the cotton because they do fade a little and give that lived with look. I also like the availability of bright and even floral colors. I agree about hitting up thrift stores. Old blankets will yield a lot of fabric for little cost. I have wanted to make the T-shirt ones forever but have never gotten around to it. Maybe I will have to give it a shot.

Wow, Alex, those are some beautiful rugs!

Beth

Wow!!! Those are beautiful rugs.

Growing up grandma had braided rugs like that and I had one in my room. I wonder what ever happened to it.

I think I want to try to make some, especially after seeing Nancy's rugs.

Nancy's rugs are beautiful!
I've been working on a braided rug made from worn out jeans. It is very time consuming, I'm sure I'll be working on it for years. I did recently buy some of those braiding cones from here: http://www.halcyonyarn.com/rugbraiding.html
I wish I had bought them sooner, boy does it make the braiding easier. I've asked members of my family to save their old jeans for me, they are keeping me in good supply. Now I've gotta get one of those strip cutters.

Hosted on Fotki

__________________
Amy,
SAHM of 3, (7, 5, & 1)
wife of a crazy Poloc (Stanb999),
& adopted mother to goats, chickens, pigs, turkeys and ducks
farm pics: http://public.fotki.com/stanb888/

farmwanabe, amber, bgraham, cc-rider, amylb999, lyn bodoni, amber, elocn,

You made Nancy's days -- last few. She is happy you like them and seem inspired.

She says the cones make the fold easier and maybe make the rugs more reversible.

Ambly999,

Nancy says that's real pretty (me too.) She collected old jean material, cut and got them rolled up, and wants to make a jean rug. Your's looks strong and well made.

cc-rider,

The wood is thirty-year old rough-sawn local pine, 2 x 8s mainly. The neighbor sawed it, including the logs for $200, which was enough for 800 sf. The boards are over two-inches thick. We installed them, and sanded with a belt sanded. We caulked between the boards with tar, wiped them clean and sealed with eight to ten coats of Varathane. Eight years ago we added a few more coats of varnish.

Thanks to all,

Alex (and Nancy)

__________________
Thou art That

How did you fasten down the boards? Did you leave the nail heads exposed? Did the tar make a mess?? (What was the purpose of the tar??).

I LOVE your floors....wish I could do the same!

cc-rider,

Nailed the boards down to rough 2 x 4 joist and counter sunk the nail heads, re counter sunk eight years ago when we refinished.

We added recently, eight years ago, tar, because the tar seals up cracks that developed after thirty-years, due to wood shirnkage. The tar was more like a stain on the raw lumber to even out the colour, where we sanded a bit, and removed some of the nice thirty-year old patina -- a nice warm colour.

When we sanded the wood colour was to fresh or new looking compared to the rest of the floor. The tar is not expensive, remains somewhat flexible, and can be well sealed with varnish. We wiped the floor with a rag with mineral spirits on it to clean up and to blend the colour a bit.

Oh, trying to relate this to rugs: they make a perfect display for the original art work of Nancy's beautiful handmade-art-rugs.

Thanks,

Alex

__________________
Thou art That

I went to a show years ago in Arlington,Texas saw this lady making rugs. Toothbrush Rugs, boy was this so easy looking. So I got me a couple instructions and the phone to get them. If your intrested let me know. These are the same as crocheted rugs and very very east to do.

I bought a box of stuff at a sale and there were new pieces of polyester material that the lady must have bought to make dresses. They are in bright printed colors about 2 yards each. Only reason they are still here is I couldn't even give them away. Do you think polyester would make a good braided rug? That would keep me busy this Winter.Jklady

Bet I am not the only one that would like to know more about your Toothbrush Rugs.
You guys are so interesting. I am inside this afternoon as it is 92 degrees outside and the hay is all in the barn and I am vegetating! Jklady

Well, they make all sorts of rugs out of polyester. Might as well try, because I bet that you wouldn't want to make anything else out of those fabrics. Polyester is usually pretty long wearing, so it might be good for rugs.

I found an interesting website on rugmaking. http://www.rugmakershomestead.com/

Toothbrush Rugs??? Do tell....