| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| katie-ell |
Posted - Nov 09 2005 : 04:11:42 AM
I have a set of three metal "'Nu-Flex' Material Folders" in a little muslin bag -- these are for folding the material strips when making a braided rug. Also have an instruction sheet.
Here's what the instructions say: 'Insert a strip of material under guide-bar (a) in each of your three Folders. Push the material through to the small end, and pull through. The inner construction of the Folder does the perfect job of turning in and folding to create uniform, perfect strips for braids. . . . '
I've never tried these. With all the braided rug talk lately, I decided to list them for barter.
Will trade for maybe a fat quarter or two or a few buttons. Let me know if you are interested!
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| 18 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| katie-ell |
Posted - Dec 05 2005 : 05:51:18 AM
Jenny -- Received the lovely feedsack-look fabrics from you. Thanks bunches! Hope those turners are of some use or inspiration for you. Warmly, KL |
| FlipFlopFarmer |
Posted - Nov 18 2005 : 1:13:37 PM
I can't wait to try this method. I have a book on hold at the library too. Better Homes & Gardens rug making book.
 Carla
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly. |
| Eileen |
Posted - Nov 17 2005 : 4:50:36 PM
Carla,
I think that on your blue jeans rug idea that the really important thing would be to have all of your fabric about the same weight so one area does not wear out before the others so if you add red fabrics you might need to use red denim or heavy twill fabric. When you fold your strips some will need to be cut wider than others to make the folded piece the same weight and thickness as the other more heavy weight fabrics. I did one with my mother in law out of all weights of wool fabrics using up a lot of old wool clothing including some I had worn as a teenager so the thinner dress weight wool had to be cut wider and folded more times to make it the same thickness as the coat weight wool or the braid would not come out even. As for using cottons, MIL used cotton and sewed it into 1/4 inch strips and rolled them into balls and used them like knitting worsted and knit a lot of really cute throw rugs. Wish i had the patterns for them now!
Eileen
Songbird; singing joy to the earth |
| OregonGal |
Posted - Nov 17 2005 : 4:06:03 PM
Carla is correct on the Mother Earth news # 55 - January/February 1979 or search the title "Grandma's Four-Strand Braided Rug". When you read the directions it may seem complicated, but it is really very easy to do. I put my sewing machine on the floor on a flat type moving dolly because the rug I'm working on is quite large now. Now that its not easy to take the rug to the sewing machine, I'm taking the sewing machine to the rug by just rolling it around on the dolly to where I need to add strips. And, since I don't want the rug to get dirty before I'm done with it, I found some large cardboard cores that carpeting comes on and I keep it rolled up when I'm not working on it, and its also out of the way. Maybe I'll try to get some pics of it and on the internet so you all can see it. Two other things about it is I made my strips 4 inches, so they are folded twice the strip is one inch wide and made my rug thicker and heavier. Then the directions say to add one strip to make it four strips for the braiding/weaving, I added another one - five strips (and you could add more) so it gets wider and longer faster than if I used just four - but the drawback is that it takes more time to do the braiding/weaving because you have more strips. Well, enjoy, I find it very relaxing to do!
"Every morning's a beautiful morning" |
| katie-ell |
Posted - Nov 16 2005 : 2:15:45 PM
Hi Carla -- Sorry I wasn't clear -- I emailed you about a different set of folders than the ones I am trading with Jenny. I thought that, coincidentally, since our consignment shop had this set in, you might be interested. My truck is getting work done on it, so I haven't gotten over to the shop yet -- I may get there tomorrow. Will email you with details on the sizes of the folders. KL |
| FlipFlopFarmer |
Posted - Nov 16 2005 : 1:11:20 PM
I went to Mother Earth News site and did a search. I looks like the article was in Issue # 55 - January/February 1979. There are pictures and instructions on the site.
Carla
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly. |
| blueroses |
Posted - Nov 16 2005 : 09:55:53 AM
OregonGal- I'd like to know abt the Mother Earth News article too. I've been trying to figure out how to braid rugs on my own, but having a hard time. Yours sounds really pretty. One of these days when I'm done with night school - I'm gonna take fun classes like rug braiding, crocheting and welding!!!
Debbie
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
| FlipFlopFarmer |
Posted - Nov 16 2005 : 07:23:56 AM
OregonGal - Do you know which month/yr of Mother Earth News that's in? I'd like to get it from the library.
Katie-ell - I was waiting on the sizes of the folders but didn't hear anything. It sounds like Aunt Jenny might have the fabric & buttons you're interested in. Why don't you trade with her and I'll do a little research on the rug making before I get these. You mentioned a consignment shop in your email to me. Do you see these come through often? Maybe next time for me.
Carla
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly. |
| OregonGal |
Posted - Nov 15 2005 : 7:57:58 PM
I am making a braided rug, but I used the method described in an article I came across in Mother Earth News called "Grandma's Four-Strand Braided Rug". The initial braid with its three strands determines the length and width of the finished rug - then another strand is added and the strands are braided/woven into the previous edge of the braiding so it does not have to be sewn together. I am using bed sheets I have acquired at garage sales, washed and ripped in 4" widths the length of the sheet. I have used mostly primary colored strips, red, blue, yellow, green and white - and it is quite easy to do and the pattern is pretty.
I think the material folder would be very helpful, tho I did not see how wide the strips come out. I think your idea of using the blue jean material would be very nice, too.
"Every morning's a beautiful morning" |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Nov 15 2005 : 2:22:00 PM
THAT would be adorable!!
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette |
| FlipFlopFarmer |
Posted - Nov 15 2005 : 12:09:18 PM
I would really like to make a blue jean one. I think that would totally be cute. Maybe mingle in some red fabric too.
Carla
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly. |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Nov 15 2005 : 09:58:34 AM
I did one with wool and one with mixed cotton fabric. (the wool one was smaller) the wool was nice to work with ( it was from thrift store clothes...cut into strips..mostly skirts and shirts..not heavy like jackets) and laid flat easier for me. The cotton fabric was nice too..but not as heavy or soft..I bet flannel would be nice..but hard to keep clean maybe?? I am curious if light denim would work...I hope someone has more experience than me!!
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette |
| FlipFlopFarmer |
Posted - Nov 15 2005 : 09:37:12 AM
Aunt Jenny - what sort of material did you use? I would love to just use old clothers and make a hodge podge one but evertything I read says to use wool or tweed. Any suggestions?
Carla
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly. |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Nov 14 2005 : 10:24:51 AM
CArla..yes, I have made a braided rug before...years ago..but didn't have the folders. If for some reason I like doing it the hard way better..and you never know with me..haha...I willfor sure pass them on to you okay??
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette |
| katie-ell |
Posted - Nov 14 2005 : 09:19:48 AM
Carla -- I'm emailing you . . . check your mail (especially the junk section -- I have a hotmail address, and lots of times I get dumped!). . . regarding the braided rug strip folders. Thanks! |
| FlipFlopFarmer |
Posted - Nov 13 2005 : 4:29:03 PM
I just saw this in a magazine and thought it would be perfect for braided rug material. Looks like you already have an interested farm girl. If it falls through for some reason, I'd like to be the first runner up please.
Aunt Jenny - Have you made a braided rug before? I am looking for a little guidance on the fabric selection and strip size.
Carla
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly. |
| katie-ell |
Posted - Nov 09 2005 : 06:33:55 AM
Great, Jenny! I'll email you. KL |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Nov 09 2005 : 06:27:09 AM
If no one else has claimed them yet I would love to trade for them...let me know what sort of fabric and buttons you like best!!
Jenny in Utah
Put all your eggs in one basket..and then watch that basket!! Mark Twain |
