River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1894-01-18
RUGS FROM OLD CARPETS.
Directions for Making Useful Household
f.Ia


Article.
There are three methods of forming
old in. rain carpets into rugs pretty
and sc 'viceable. They are, in fact,
prettier than almost any other style of
homemade rugs
In the first method, cut the carpet
ing, after il 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 tie edges somewhat.
They are then sewed together by JONI
ing the selvedges in strong overcast
stitch and wound into balls the same
as all carpet-rags are when prepared
for the loom. Made in this way, the
rugs when woven do not have as nice
nap as when made by the following
methods, but as there is no waste of
material the benefit is evident. of
course, ail-wool ingram is the best kind
for this purpose. The amount neces-
sary for a rug made in this way is two
and a half pounds il one yard square,
while in the second four pounds are re-
ouired.
In this second method the strips are
cut lengthwise of the width. the same
sizs as the other, and then fringed a
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 il 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 rag-carpets well
can weave these rugs, but they must
be woven good in order to be success.
Loose, careless weaving spoils their APP
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 go to
work, wash and dry it, and cut it up;
the faded browns and yellows become
lovely notified brown rug, in tint
like the dead leaves of autumn. The
carpets, whose colors were chiefly green
ana 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 a fringe three or
dive inches in width for each end in or
der to give them a finished appearanca
These may be bought al any J. ge
store in beautiful, harmonious colors
from black to gold and crimson at
about twenty cents a yard. Or they
may be made of the carpet material by
using double strip and fringing it
Housekeeper.