Making Braided Rugs?

[PixelDust]

Does anybody out there make braided rugs? I've been coveting one for a long time, and finally decided to try making my own. My living room floor needs something that says "home" to me! I would love to hear from anybody who can offer suggestions.

1. Is it okay to combine lots of different fabrics in one rug (woven cotton and wool, for instance), or should I try to use fabrics of a similar weight? I have two bags of clothes destined for Goodwill and was hoping to start with those.

2. I've read a lot about how I should connect the braids by cutting diagonally and then sewing them together, but I still can't quite understand how to do it. Can anybody explain, or is it one of those things I need to try before I can understand it?

Thanks!

[Mackenzie]

Hope someone has some answers....that sounds like a real fun project!

[PixelDust]

Anybody?

[E.V. Lowi]

I have made small braided rugs. I always start out thinking I'm going to make an 8'X10', but 2'X3' is where I run out of steam.

The most impotant part of the job is to be sure the strips are of the same width and weight. For this reason it's not a good idea to mix wools and cottons. When you cut the strips, be sure to leave enough width to turn the raw edges inside, just like a strip of seam binding, otherwise the braid will ravel. There are some devices called "Braid Aids" that you can slip onto the strips that do this turning in for you. When you cut the strips along the grain line, you can cut the end diagonally (on the bias grain) and sew two different strips togetheg along this bias cut. This makes the seam lie very flat on the braid so that it is not noticable. If you sew the square blunt ends it makes a bump on the braid strip. HTH

[SleeplessMommy]

First, you need the "equipment" see www.halcyon.com (Halcyon yarn)

To connect strips together, make a 45 degee cut (like an anti-fray cut in a ribbon) overlap the 2 ends and tack together with a few quick stitches (use embroidery thread or somethine else sturdy) After the strips go threough the "folders", you have a hard to see, sturdy join.

[oldgirl,newtricks]

I make them. I'd encourage you to join a Yahoo group for braiding rugs. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/braided_rugs. They have great tutorials. There are several books which are extremely helpful. The Braided Rug Book by Norma Sturges is one of the best. It's being reprinted, but you can find old copies on eBay or abebooks. Anything by Vera Cox is great and she has videos. They are older, probably from the 80's, but braiding rugs is still the same.

I use cones made by Braid Aide. They are out of business, but if you look on eBay and do a search for "rug braiding" you will see older supplies come up at very reasonable prices. You need a special clamp and you see pictures of these things if you can get the above mentioned books or in the picture area of the yahoo group.

It's a bit hard to explain, but you can use all type of material. You will have the best results if you stick with new wool, all of the same weight. I personally enjoy using old clothing, but I've learned a bunch (and ruined a bunch) in the process of learning how to put different weights together. You don't just grab scraps and put them together if you want good results. When connecting strips, it's like making an L with the two strips and you sew a diagonal seam. If you'll get the books, you'll see really good examples.

If I was just going to use old clothing and mostly cotton, I would make a crocheted rug instead of braided. I think it's easier to get good results, although my braided rugs are beautiful IMO.

Gloria

[PixelDust]

Thanks, everyone, for the advice!