A combination how-to book for weaving rugs with fabric remnants, and a gallery of gorgeous contemporary rugs by some of today’s best designers. This book brings rag rugs out of old country cabins and places them beside the best of contemporary crafts and décor. A delight for weavers and nonweavers alike.
The humble rag rug emerges from obscurity and, often, a dank basement to become an object of much decoration. Under the tutelage of North Carolina fiber artist Allen, crafters new to weaving will find much of the mystique dissipated, thanks to clear, no-nonsense directions and a well-defined glossary. What truly makes this a practical text is, first, the proliferation of color-photographed examples, and, second, the dozen projects. Except for the loom (which can be rented or borrowed in metropolitan areas), few of the necessary materials will break the bank--and Allen actively encourages recycling. Plus, the patterns, though somewhat complicated, are not as primitive as random rag rugs; it is clear that a bit of weaving practice could eventually add brightness to a dark floor or corner. Appended are a glossary, a listing of contributing artists, and additional resources. Barbara Jacobs