This month I have been concentrating very hard on my rag rug… to the exclusion of pretty much all other evening craft activities. I was really hoping that it would be finished by now, but alas there is still some way to go. The picture on the right (which is the back of the rug) gives a good idea of how far I still have to go.
A large amount of scrap fabric and unmendable clothes have gone into this project and it’s really very heavy (as Sue warned me!). Every time I think I might have cut enough rags, it turns out I am wrong and my bags end up needing to be replenished. I am glad that I didn’t try to make a specific pattern, because I would probably have seriously underestimated the amount of fabric of each colour that was required. Fortunately my random assortment has worked out ok and I don’t mind that the mix changes across the rug.
I consider this to be a very successful way of using up scraps, particularly ones from worn or damaged fabric, but it’s not a quick win and I can imagine that many people who start give up because it really does take many, many hours to produce anything of any size. Still, it won’t be my last rag rug and it’s certainly something we’ll be selling tools for and running classes on in the shop.
-oOo-
I’ve been inspired to write this (and future) ScrapHappy posts by Kate, Tall Tales from Chiconia. On the fifteenth of every month lots of folk often publish a ScrapHappy post, do check them out:
Kate, Gun, Eva, Sue, Lynn, Lynda, Birthe, Turid, Susan, Cathy, Tracy, Jill, Claire, Jan (me), Moira, Sandra, Chris, Alys, Kerry, Claire, Jean, Jon, Hayley, Dawn, Gwen, Bekki, Sue L, Sunny, Kjerstin, Vera, Nanette, Ann, Dawn 2 , Bear, Noreen, Preeti, Edith and Jule
If you fancy joining, contact Kate and she’ll add you to the list. It would be lovely to see more non-sewing posts, but any use of scraps is welcome.
The Snail of Happiness 
Wild Daffodil
/ January 15, 2022What a fabulous rug that is. As it is so heavy it should stay put pretty well on the floor. I bet it feels gorgeous to the touch, very strokeable!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 15, 2022It is very tactile and I think is going to be very warm under the feet.
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DawnGillDesigns
/ January 15, 2022I had no idea these were so fabric hungry! And I mentioned on MrSnail’s blog – do make sure to share the ink to the online element of your shop once you get it up, please 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 15, 2022The shop will be here – a separate page on the blog… at least to begin with.
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katechiconi
/ January 15, 2022You know, the back of this rug is also extraordinary, like a piece of pointillist art. If the front gets flat and matted (sorry, pun not intended, for a change), you could always turn it over and enjoy the other side for a while!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 15, 2022I like your thinking
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katechiconi
/ January 15, 2022Not quite on the level of turning the sheets sides to middle, but getting there!
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Nikki
/ January 15, 2022I was thinking along similar lines – the back does remind of Gaudi’s beautiful mosaics : )
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Going Batty in Wales
/ January 15, 2022Rag rugs do take ages and use loads of fabric but they are the kind of thing that can be put away for a while and picked up again. The ones I made have lasted and lasted and they are very cosy underfoot.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 15, 2022I am enjoying it, but I’d really like this one to be finished now!
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Going Batty in Wales
/ January 18, 2022Sometimes I have to put one away for a few months and come back to it later. Actually doing one in summer is torture because it is so hot draped over my knees so then it has to go away!
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Tracy @ It's a T-Sweets Day!
/ January 15, 2022A scrappy rug! I love it:)! Great job😊
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rutigt
/ January 16, 2022What a piece of art!!!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 16, 2022thank you.
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nanacathy2
/ January 16, 2022My Gran had a rag rug in her kitchen, they have a very homely feel about them.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 16, 2022It is such a traditional way to use up scraps, isn’t it?
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Quimper Hitty
/ January 16, 2022I love rag rugs, though I am more used to woven ones…Yours is looking wonderful and squishy. They just are heavy!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 17, 2022I considered various types of rag rug before setting on this sort – mainly because this allowed me to use really quite small scraps.
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Nice Piece of Work
/ January 17, 2022A labour of love. And to me, rugs are like vases – you can never have too many 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 17, 2022I think you are right there, Plus we have had to put our two sheepskin rugs away as Sammy thinks there are delicious!!
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Nice Piece of Work
/ January 17, 2022laughing!!!
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