The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-01-19
RUGS FROM OLD CARPETS.
Directions for Making Cssfu. Household
Article.

Article.
There are three methods of forming
old ingram carpets into rugs pretty
and serviceable. They are, in fact,
prettier than almost any other style Of
homemade rugs.
In the first method. cut the carpet
ing. after it has been thoroughly
cleaned and dried. into narrow strips
across the width. Three-fourths of an
inch is the right width. Then draw
the strips through the hands few
times to fray the edges somewhat
They are then sewed together by JOIN
ing the selvedges in a strong overcast
stitch and wound into balls the same
as all carpet-rags are when prepared
for the loom. Made in this way, tho
rugs when woven do not have as nice
a nap as when made by the following
methods, but as there is no waste OF
material the benefit is evident. OF
course, allwool ingram is the best kind
for this purpose. The amount neces-
sary for rug made in this way is two
and half pounds if one yard square,
while in the second four pounds are re-
quired
In this second method the strips are
cut lengthwise of the width, the same
size as the other, and then fringed =
quarter of an inch on each side. Thus
fine nap is formed when the rug is
woven; but when we consider the waste
Of good material and the tedious work
necessary we conclude that it does not
pay. In sewing these strips together
care must be exercised in tapping the
ends neatly SO that they will not show
when the fug is woven. Then. form
into balls.
Any one who weaves srag-carpets wen
can weave these rugs, but they must
he woven good in order to be a success
Loose, careless weaving spOils their ap.
pearance. There must be enough warp
woven on each end of the rug to serve
for the purpose of hemming
Usually the looms are intended to
weave only one yard in width, but in
some places there are those who make
speciality of rug-weaving and can
weave them twelve feet wide.
Made in this width, or somewhat
less, and woven with heavy warp,
much coarser than that used in rag
carpets. they make handsome center
squares for parlOr or dining-room. and
will cost for weaving and warp about
FIVE dollars. and are as handsome as
those bought at the stores costing five
times as much.
No matter if the old carpet is old and
faded. and worn all to pieces" there
are great possibilities in it. just 60 to
work, wash and dry it, and cut it up;
the faded browns and yellows become
a lovely mottled brown rug, in tint
like the dead leaves of autumn. The
carpets, whose cOlOrs were chiefly green
and red. become AN attractive ,mossy-
looking rug.
The third method of making rugs of
this material may recommend itself to
some. as it does not need sending TO the
weaver. but instead brings into re-
QUESTION the sewing machine. The
strips are cut lengthwise the width
and little wider than in the other
methods; they are then fringed on
each edge and stitched through the
center on stout cloth, the size Of the
rug you wish to make. In order to
look nice and wear well. the strips
must be sewed very closely together.
Some think it easier TO fringe the edges
after the strips are sewed in place than
before.
These rugs need fringe three or
five inches in width for each end in or
der to give them finished appearance.
These may be bought at any large
store in beautiful. harmonious coiors
about twenty cents yard. Or they
may be made of the carpet material by
using double strip and friuging it
Housekeeper-