The advocate., 1897-10-20
The Housekeeper.
About Rag Carpets.

much to the hOme-like appearance Of the
family sltting-room as does a Well-made
rag carpet II is preferable to hemp
or ingram carpet, because 1t Is more
durable, and does not show the marks
OF muddy or dusty feet so plainly.
an rag carpets, as in many other
things, there have been many improve
ments since the days Of our grandmOth-
ers, and many Of those now made are
artistic and beautiful 80 great demand
for this kind of floor covering has arisen
that is is regularly quoted in the cata-
logues of carpet dealers, and In many Of
the large cities their manufacture has
become an established industry
"They are certainly economical, for
they cost nothing but a small amount
paid for the chain and the weaving, and
will bear an immense amount Of wear.
ing.
erich, dark colors, well mixed and
sewed hit or miss, warped with dark
chain can hardly fail to produce q good
effect, and some of the carpets so made
are beautiful, having much the appear
ance, where the cOlors are judiciously
chosen, of rich Turkish carpeting. Such
a carpet is suitable for a bedroom, but
is too dark for a room in constant use,
for it Is a well-knOWn fact that a dark
carpet shows dust and dirt more than a
lighter one.
"All white or very light goods should
be colored, and the dyes for cotton pro-
duce beautiful ColOrs that do not fade.
The strips should not be more than u
nd tr,f a nd
should he cut narrow so the carpet will
not be coarse and heavy. The warp
may be Of two contrasting Colors woven
in honey-comb style, or several cOlors
may be used, arranged in stripes. One
and one-fourth pounds Of rags will, If
fine and even, make one yard of carpet.
Never buy any but the best Of chain,
and allow one pound for every three
yards.
Preparing the rags for the carpet
need not be the tedious and disagreeable
task II is often considered. In fact, a
basket of strips ready to sew makes
handy and enjoyable pickup work for
odd moments, as 1t may be done almost
mechanically requiring less mental eX.
ertion than does the knitting of a stock
ing or bit Of lace. If the carpet is to
be hit or miss the material should ali
he cut and mixed before any is sewed in
balls, 80 the cOlors may be evenly dis
tributed and uniform throughout
"The rags should then be put in bags
where they will be safe from dust When
sewed they should be wound into balls
Weighing about one pound each. 1t is
but little trouble when garment ia
worn out to select the portions suitable
Tor carpet rags, leaving out all seams
aud rough places. Wash and lay the
pieces away for use. 1t Is surprising
how soon large amount Of material
will accumulate, or how little work 1t is
to prepare them.
"Some housekeepers always prefer
striped carpets and are always anxious
to get new and pretty designs. During a
recent visit to a weaver / saw some
beautiful striped carpets and will de-
scribe one of them:
"The plain stripe was made Of dark
rags sewed hit or miss; the bright stripe
was composed of three threads OF blue,
two of white, two Of black, two yellow,
four Light green, four green, four dark
SlS0lts GWO pluChJ IAASS PiHhi LVuA AA5Ht
red, four red, two dark red and four
black The white rags were dyed green.
red, blue and pink with good dyes and
used for this. The four threads of black
In the center of the fancy stripe and the
preceding colors are reversed for the
other half.
Now, II you cannot afford the new
carpet you would like, gather up the
rags in the closets and attics and con,
vert them into carpet. You will be-
sure to be pleased with the result, and