Rag Rugs: Contemporary Projects in a Traditional Craft - Softcover

Vail, Juju

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1552093824 ISBN 13: 9781552093825

Publisher: Firefly Books, 1999

Synopsis

In Rag Rugs, Juju Vail presents the simple and versatile craft of rag rugmaking with verve and style. With 20 original projects using traditional techniques, beginners and experienced crafters can make beautiful and useful objects for the home. How-to illustrations provide instruction, and dozens of full-color photographs of handmade rugs offer inspiration.

Rag rugmaking has a place in the very heart of American history. Practiced by homemakers for generations, this easy craft was a practical answer to the need for warmth, decoration and color in the humblest of home settings. Vail describes the evolution of rag rugs and the four traditional techniques - hooking, prodding, braiding and appliqué - and then shares her experience and skill in design, techniques, preparation and finishing. Tools, materials, basic stitches and the practical methods of mounting and lining are all described in detail.

At the center of Rag Rugs are Vail's unique designs. An artist with an energetic style and superb command of color, her projects appeal to a wide variety of crafters. From a primitive-style rug for a traditional setting to a contemporary rug for an avant-garde home, readers will find abundant choice and inspiration. Except for materials, Rag Rugs provides everything needed to get started:

20 original templates hand-drawn by the author
complete materials lists
suggestions on personalizing projects
how-to instructions from preparation to completion
direction on unusual techniques, such as How to Felt Wool Fabrics
special Notes to help avoid mistakes and problems
North American sources for rag rugmaking supplies
plus, listings of where to view rag rug collections in the U.S., Canada and Great Britain

Projects such as Hen in the Garden Rug, Angel Bench Cushion and Flying Gardener Children's Rug are inspired, and Vail's versions of the traditional Braided Rug, Fire Rug and Hearth Rug are vibrant and welcoming.

About this title

About the Author

Juju Vail is a textile designer, illustrator and author. She lives in London, England and is also the author of Quick Kids' Quilts.

Reviews

These days, playful primitive rugs are probably more expensive than wall-to-wall carpeting--quite the opposite from the origins of hooked, braided, prodded, and appliqued floor coverings in colonial times. London designer Vail outshines competitors and colleagues alike by creating the world's easiest directions and most colorful, striking patterns. Of course, the requisite historical and equipment information is presented first, followed by 20 childlike (but adult-pleasing) patterns. Various artisans contribute, with most in the hooked rug category; the layered piece and mosaic felt rugs, however, are the most sophisticated of all. Truly an original. Barbara Jacobs

Strips of recycled clothing and other fabrics are the raw materials for the rugs in these two books. Davies (How To Make Hand-Hooked Rag Rugs) covers hooked rugs and several related types, with detailed information on materials, tools, and dyeing. Vail (Quick Kids' Quilts) has mostly step-by-step projects for hooked rugs and also includes prodded, braided, and appliqu? rugs. Both books are well illustrated with many colorful examples and are suitable though not essential for public library crafts collections.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Firefly Books
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1552093824
• ISBN 13: 9781552093825
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128