Rag Rug - Getting Started

I received a 28 pound box of fabric from a friend on Etsy to make her a rag rug. There is a total of 18 different fabric - not all the same material. I have cotton, polyesters, knit cotton, velor, and one I am not even sure what it is! I have managed to prepare 9 of the 18 fabrics. One is missing from the photo. I fold the fabric and cut it into 1 1/2 inch strips. I am using scissors and eyeballing the measurement, so the width does vary a little. At the ends of each strip, I cut a small slit about 1/2 an inch long. Then, I connect the strips by looping the next strip through itself attached to the ball of "fabric yarn" that I have started. Please visit LauraJane's YouTube Video to see how the "slit" method works for joining the strips of fabric. I have also read about this method in a rag rug pamphlet. If I remember, I will look to see what the pamphlet is called. I still have a bit of work to do and am excited to start the rug. I may make a few hot pads before I begin the room size rug to get a little more practice in. Stay tuned to watch my progress on this project. I will share hints and tips that I discover along the way. For instance, I first joined all the fabric strips and then rolled it into a ball of yarn. For me, I have found it easier to add one strip at a time and roll the ball of yarn as I proceed. The only problem is my son wants to play with the "ball."

My First Rag Rug

One of the moms in my group, Fabulous Artistic Moms of Etsy, asked if I would make her a rag rug. I had never made one before, but it looked like something fun to try, and I am always up for a challenge, especially if fabric is involved.

When I was a little girl, my twin sister, my older sister and I all went to my grandmother's house after school. My grandmother, who could probably have crocheted in her sleep, taught me how to crochet. It's been a while since I've picked up a hook, but it was like riding a bike, tough to forget. I grabbed some yarn to refresh my memory before starting with fabric. Once I felt comfortable, I grabbed some fabric strips that I had stashed in a box and got to work. I used three different methods of attaching new strips. I wanted to see which I liked the best.

The Vintage Chica has lovely tutorial for crocheting rag rugs. The way she suggests to cut the fabric into strips is what I consider the first method of joining the strips. You simply cut a piece of fabric alternating which side you start from and stopping an inch short of the end each time. The result is a long strip of fabric. However, with this method there are rectangular pieces that stick out a little. She also suggests to tie the fabric strips together when you come to a new piece, but I wasn't sure if I liked the knots showing - I know, they are on the backside.
This is a closeup photo of the backside. The green pieces sticking up are the rectangular pieces at the end of the fabric when cutting strips. Then in the middle and at the end, you can see the knots by the pink and blue fabrics. However, you can't see where the fabric changed using the slit method, referenced below.

So, I searched a bit more online. I found LauraJane's YouTube Video on preparing fabric strips. She uses the "slit method." Of the three methods, I liked the look of this one the best. You simply cut small slits in the fabric at the ends and loop a strip into the slit of its own opposite end. See the link for the video. She shows it very well.

Here is a picture of the finished mini rag rug. It was lots of fun to make and I am going to go ahead and make one for my team member.

A Slice of Watermelon Basket - Fabric Coiled

I love summer, especially all of the fresh fruit! If you look in my refrigerator in the summer months, there is sure to be a big bowl of fruit salad and watermelon! I love the fabric for this basket. The design is just the right size so that you can still see the design after wrapping the fabric. It is patterned with slices of watermelon over a blue and white plaid background. The basket has two curvy loop handles that decorate the sides. Origainally, I made two basic handles for the basket, but I wanted to make it a bit fancier, so I gave them each a twist. This adorable basket is made using the fabric coiling technique. It measures 6 inches across the top of the base and is 2.25 inches high. This basket would look great in the kitchen, out on the patio or on your desk. Visit My Etsy Shop if you are interested in purchasing this basket.


UPCOMING BLOGS
*Comparing Techniques of It's a Wrap by Susan Breier and Textile Coil Pots and Baskets: Easy Ways With Fabric and Cord by Helen Deighan
*My latest Baskets
*How to Make Different Types of Coiled Fabric Handles

Book Review of Textile Coil Pots and Baskets: Easy Ways With Fabric and Cord by Helen Deighan

Textile Coil Pots and Baskets: Easy Ways With Fabric and Cord by Helen Deighan is a very inspirational book. I love how each section is set up with a new type of project and one for you to try at the end. She is very encouraging to have you experiment with different types of cording as well as fabrics and techniques. The book has instructions for both hand sewn baskets and machine sewn. She also gives instructions for how to make patterned baskets by using stripes and multiple colored fabrics. The only draw back I found is that since she included so many ideas in this one book, her descriptions are as thorough as they could be. She does include some photos with text to help you get started. I would recommend this as a second book to purchase if you are interested in fabric coiling projects. One technique that made this book worthwhile for me to buy was to wrap as you go. It's a Wrap suggests wrapping fabric ahead of time and then sewing. The advantage of wrapping as you go is you do not have to spend a couple hours wrapping fabric before getting started and you can change colors at the correct spot if you are creating a multi colored basket. I find that if I am making a large basket, I like to wrap the fabric before I start, but with a smaller project, I like to wrap as I go!

If you would like to read the book review I wrote for It's a Wrap, by Susan Beier, click HERE.

Happy Hour - Time for a Margarita!

It's Friday and it's Happy Hour Somewhere. I chose to name this basket with a margarita theme, because the whole time I was working on it I thought that the color reminded me of margaritas. This festive basket will be a great accent to store those little necessities needed for your next happy hour gathering. This would be the perfect hostess gift if you are attending a Cinco de Mayo Party! The base of this basket measures 6.25 inches across the top and is 2 inches high. It is decorated with single loop handles on each side.

This basket is for sale in My Etsy Shop.
CHEERS!

Spring Medley Oval Basket - Fabric Coiled

Spring is on its way! Brighten up any room with this basket. It is made with white fabric covered with tiny blue and yellow flowers. The specially made flower handles add extra decoration to this beautiful basket. The top of this basket measures 8 x 10.5 inches and is 3.5 inches high. As with any basket, it is truly one of a kind and would make the perfect gift for a birthday, anniversary, hostess, mother's day, or even for yourself! This basket and others are for sale in my Etsy Shop. Just click on the photo of the basket to visit my shop.

To make the handles, I made a round center by cutting a circular piece of fabric and sewing around the edge. Then I cinched it up tight. Next, I looped the wrapped cording into petals. I had so much fun making the flower handles.

Purple Petunia Basket - Triple Loop Handles

Purple Petunia Basket Side View,
originally uploaded by New England Quilter.

My latest fabric coiled basket is made from purple petunia spring fabric. I never know how I am going to finish a basket when I start it - this is half the fun! When it was time to make the handles, I decided to go with a triple loop. To make triple loop handles, measure out the amount of fabric needed by looping the cording three times. Hold it out to the side and continue sewing the top edge of cording. Repeat for the other side as well. After finishing the top edge, sew the loops in place by hand. This basket is available to purchase at my Etsy shop http://www.newenglandquilter.etsy.com
Just in time for spring! This darling basket is made from purple petunia fabric using the fabric coiling technique. It has triple loop handles which make it truly unique. The top of the base measures 7.5 inches across the top and is 2.75 inches high. The height to the top of the handles measures 4 inches. This basket would be great in so many rooms of your home. This would be a lovely gift for anyone or a special treat for yourself!

Upcoming Blog Entries (Not necessarily in this order):
*Book Review of Textile Coil Pots and Baskets: Easy Ways With Fabric and Cord by Helen Deighan
*Comparing Techniques of It's a Wrap by Susan Breier and Textile Coil Pots and Baskets: Easy Ways With Fabric and Cord by Helen Deighan
*My latest Baskets
*How to Make Different Types of Coiled Fabric Handles

Blueberry Coiled Fabric Basket

Here is my first coiled fabric basket. It measures 8 inches across the top and is 3 inches high. I used the same blueberry fabric as the coasters. For the handles, I looped the coils as I was sewing and then afterwards secured them by hand. Embroidery scissors were just the right tool to use to snip any loose threads after completing the basket.

Tips for Fabric Coiling - Machine Sewing

1. Use a Thread Color the same color as your pattern and not the background.
2. If machine sewing, after tailing off your coil, only cut one thread short. Pull some thread from the spool and then cut with a length of thread attached to your project. Thread through a hand sewing needle. Then hand sew the tail snug and tight to the last coil to help blending in the end point.
3. Walmart is a good place to find 3/16" fabric clothesline. It is half the price there than at my local hardware store.
4. In a pinch, the top of a glue stick makes a great substitute for a thimble.
   

I will be adding to the list as I discover useful tips for fabric coiling.

Books reviews on fabric coiling. I have just bought a second book on fabric coiling. I will review them both books about fabric coiling in my blog once I have had a chance to read the second book.

Another Coiled Fabric Coaster - Practice Makes Perfect!

So, I made my second coaster today. It was easier the second time. I actually reversed the stitch length and width and like how it came out better. Also, I used blue thread which goes with the pattern instead of the background; so it accents the blueberries well. So, I learned to use a thread color that matches the pattern and not the background. I measured the cording today and figure that one coaster takes about 7.5 feet of length. I think that I will make two more coasters with this fabric to get some more practice before I start the bowls. We'll see ... I really want to make a bowl ;)

Coiled Fabric Adventure - My first creation

So, I was going to make a plate for my first coiled fabric project. However, we could really use some baby friendly coasters at my house, so I stopped the coiling at the size of a coaster. I am going to make a few more and experiment with the length and width of my stitch as well. The inner coil is the toughest part to get; so making a few more coasters will give me more practice with that as well. He is a photo of my first coaster.

Coiled Fabric - My latest crafting adventure

My latest interest is fabric coiling. I was in the fabric store this week and saw a book on this topic, It's a Wrap. I knew that this was something that I wanted to try out. So, I bought the book and the necessary materials to get started on my latest crafting adventure. I am currently in the process of wrapping fabric on clothes line. Then the line will be coiled to make plates, bowls, baskets, bags, whatever. Of course I am starting with the most basic, the plate. I hope to make some more progress on it today! Here is what the coiling process looks like. I'll post more pictures when it's done.