logo72      Rugmaker's Homestead
Celebrating Our 24th Anniversary in 2008!
HOME           TABLE OF CONTENTS           CONTACT US          ORDERING INFO         CATALOG      
Table of Contents
Our website is organized just like a book under several general headings.
Welcome to the Homestead
Articles for the Rugmaker
Who we are, what we do and how to contact us
Ordering and our catalog
Finding rug makers and rug suppliers

And, Other Topics


WELCOME TO THE HOMESTEAD

What's New
       The latest events, additions and changes in our website and catalog
Welcome Page for First-time Visitors
       How the website is structured and help for finding your way around
Preview our Rugmaker's Handbooks
       The table of contents and introductory pages of each of the Handbooks in pdf format.

ARTICLES FOR THE RUG MAKER

The Varieties of Rag Rugs and the Rag Rug "Family Tree"
What Type of Rug is Right for the Beginner?
Rag Rugs Tour
Our most popular feature. This tour has 21 stops and covers all of the major types of rag rugs. Each stop describes the structures, tools and major variaions and  includes questions and answers about each type of rug.

#1: Tambour Rugs
#2: Shirred Rugs & Faux Shirring
#3: Standing Wool Rugs
#4: Knitted Rag Rugs
#5: Flat Wrap Rugs & Twisted Cords Rugs
#6: Amish Knot Rugs
#7: Pjonging & Chain Braid Rugs
#12: Hooked, Poked, Prodded, Bodkin & Shuttle Rugs
#13: Needleworked Rag Rugs
#14: Bohemian Braid, Swedish Braid & Toothbrush Rugs
#15: Braided Rugs
#16: Knotted Shag & Strung Shag Rag Rugs
#17: Loom Woven Rag Rugs
#18: Patched Rugs and Sewn Shag Rag Rugs
#8: Broomstick & String Crochet Rugs
#9: Crocheted Rag Rugs
#10: Fabric Tapestry Rugs
#11: Anchored Loop Rugs
#19: Frame Woven Rag Rugs
#20: Round Woven Wagon Wheel Rugs & Frame Braided Rugs
#21: Odds & Ends: Floor Cloths, a Bed "Rugg", Combination Rugs

Rag Rugs--Square Footage Calculator
    When you need to know how many square feet are in a round or oval rug.
Ways to Join Fabric Strips When Making Rag Rugs
    There are lots of ways of joining rag strip for rug making.
Letters
    An extensive collection of letters answered by our master rugmaker.
Copyrights and rug makers
    Answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Making Money Making Rugs
    Tips for making the most profitable types of rugs and how to sell them.
Crocheted Rag Rug Patterns (How they work, and why some don't)
    If you've tried unsucessfully to crochet rag rugs, here's why you had trouble.
Novelty and Fad Rugs from the 20's to the 90's
Fads of the 20's, 30's and 40's: Inner-tube Rugs; Sewn Felt Rugs; Sewing Machine Yarn and Rag Rugs; Pieced Crochet Rugs; Rugs from Used Stockings
Fads of the 40's and 50's: Bobbin/Roll/Cylinder Stitch Rugs; Crocheted Loop Stitch Rugs; Girdle Rugs
Fads of the 60's and 70's: Macrame Rugs; Rope Rugs; Pieced Crochet Rugs; Pieced Carpet Remnants; Needlepoint on Rug Canvas
Fads of the 80's and 90's: Spool Knitting; Knitting Machine Rugs; Pieced Crochet Rugs with a Gimmick
 

H0W-T0 ARTICLES AND FREE DIRECTIONS
NEW!
Dustcatcher & Pinch-Pleat Rugs
   Spend an afternoon with your sewing machine and create one of these practical rugs!
Creating a Floor Cloth, Four Ways

    Whether you want to use traditional methods or new ones, you can make a floorcloth.
Make a Wool Bed "Rugg" or Christmas Tree Skirt
    Novel, cottage-type projects from wool left overs.
Make a "Nettie Doll" with rug strip (and a tribute to an old-time rugmaker)
    One of our most popular articles which has been reprinted in several magazines. These are an ideal project for youngsters.
Fun Braiding Projects with Cotton Strip
    If you want to get the kids interested in braiding, have them make a 4-strand dog/cat leash. These make good fund raisers.
Crocheted Heart Rag Potholder, Hotpad or Basket
Knitted Heart Rag Hotpad
    Want to try out rag rugging with a small knitted or crocheted project? These hotpads go quickly and make nice gifts.
Make a 6-strand Ladder-braid
    This is one of the unusual braids and is good for framing hooked rugs.
Make a Prodded Rug
    Prodded rugs are one of the earliest rag rug techniques and simple to learn.
Make Your Own Rug Hook
    For those of you who really want to get back to basics, you can make a hooked rug with a rug hook you've made yourself.

HISTORICAL RUG MAKING ARTICLES

A Brief History of Rag Rugs
How rag rugs came into being and their development over the last 150 years, including some notes for historical re-enactors.
1932 Braided Rug Instructions
A delightful depression-era set of directions (with photos of young rug makers)
1885-1929 Rag Rug Articles
Actual rug making directions from several sources. See how far rug making directions have come.
1871 Rag Rugs Article
A very unusual  article for its era with reference to several rug making techniques.
1907 Rag Rugs Article
Typical rug making directions from the "Arts and Crafts"era.

WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE DO & HOW TO CONTACT US
Who we are, what we do (and won't do) our free services, your privacy is important
How to contact us
 

ORDERING & OUR CATALOG
General information about ordering by mail, email or through Paypal
Complete current product list
Printable order form (.pdf)

Our Catalog
Part 1: Rugmaking Books (books and pamphlets for rug making)
Part 2: Rugmaking Tools (hooks, needles, braiding cones, etc.)
Part 3: Rugmaking Supplies (canvas, burlap, rug backing, etc.)
Part 4: Rugmaking Sets (money-saving book & tool sets)
Part 5: Rugmaking Kits (complete rug kits with book, tools and prepared  fabrics)
Part 6: Bargain page and Discontinued Items
Part 7: Rugmaking Fabrics (pre-cut and pre-folded fabric strip for rugmaking)

FINDING RUG MAKERS AND RUG SUPPLIERS
The Rugmaker's Exchange
    Photos, stories and letters from rug makers of all varieties
 The Connections Directory
    Links to traditional rug makers and rug organizations from around the world.
General Links for Rug Makers
    Websites of businesses that carry rug-related products and other interesting rug sites

AND, OTHER TOPICS....
The Super-Green Clean. Learn how to clean almost everything around the house using no chemicals at all! Microfiber technology allows you to clean even oily messes with plain tap water.