Hello fellow rag rug weavers!!!!  I love weaving rag rugs, but really do not always like having to do fringes at the ends.  I have seen some lovely rugs with a hemmed edge, but am not sure how to do that.  I typically do a header using the same poly cotton warp thread doubled up and woven in a closed shed.  Any help, advice, or links would be appreciated.  Happy weaving.... Peace!  Kent

Comments

Mon, 02/07/2011 - 01:16

jordanj (not verified)

I have used the "header" as you call it as a border hem. I weave 2.5 - 3 inches of weft-faced weave with the cotton warp thread on either end - I pack them in with a tapestry beater to make sure the cloth is firm. Then when I cut it off the loom, I quickly and carefully zig-zag the edge with a sewing machine - don't handle it too much or the weft will come unraveled. Next, I turn that finished edge under 3/8 inch or so and fold that edge up to the beginning of the rug. Then I sew a straight stitch along the edge of the hem. You need a pretty sturdy sewing machine to go through all those layers!

Wed, 02/09/2011 - 18:43

Two Guys and a Loom (not verified)

Thanks so much for the info jordanj, any other weavers feel like chiming in?
Fri, 02/11/2011 - 13:43

debmcclintock

There is a yahoo rug group that has covered this subject extensively.  I suggest that you join this group and you will get years of experience from that group.  Once you join the group you can search thru the archives of the group and find lots of discussion on this very subject.  Make sure you are searching the messages and not the yahoo search box.  That group is very active and is  located here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rugtalk

 

Mon, 02/14/2011 - 14:23

Two Guys and a Loom (not verified)

Thanks so much Deb.... I'll check out that group and hopefully find some other good information!!!!!

Sat, 10/15/2011 - 15:37

marlenedg (not verified)

I have another question. I am weaving cotton and wool rugs from fabric strips. Most all of the material I am using is new, not rags. So my question is should I wash the rugs when I am done with them? The wool is washable wool and the two I did wash are very nice but just wondered what you all do.

 I really did not find Rugtalk very helpful. Some of the people on there did not seam very friendly to new combers. Weavolution is a lot more into helping others.

 So far, and yes I am very new at this rug waeving I have only ties fring on one rug and have been hemming the rest of them. I do as above stated but I weave a few scraps between the headdings and don't cut the rugs apart till I have zigzaged the edge. It is working well. I have one of my rugs I made for my bathroom and it has been washed a lot and still has a nice tight edge.

Thanks and Have a great day Everyone!

Marlene in Oregon

Sat, 10/15/2011 - 16:15

Joanne Hall

Hi Marlene,

It can be helpful to wash the fabric before you cut it into strips.  It makes it softer so that it is easier to beat the rug tight.  It is also important if you think that the colors might run.  You don't want a rug with red and white stripes to become a red and pink rug.  There is no need to wash the rug after it is woven.  That only makes it soft.  Rugs are better if they retain their body.  And when you do need to wash them, hanging them on the line or drying them lying flat out in the sun helps to retain that stiffness that makes a better rug.

Mon, 10/17/2011 - 23:29

jennybellairs

I have a couple blog entries from a while ago that deal with rug hems. 

http://jennybellairs.blogspot.com/2010/08/two-rugs-completed.html

http://jennybellairs.blogspot.com/2010/12/tips-for-rag-rug-hems-additional-photo.html

I enjoy the Yahoo Rugtalk group, and have learned a lot.  Don't let crabby or snippy people scare you off from the group--there is a lot of collective wisdom there.  Ask your questions and if you get a snippy answer, just ignore it.  You will probably get some nice answers from others.

Jenny in Charlevoix the Beautiful

Tue, 10/18/2011 - 00:36

marlenedg (not verified)

 I love your blog! Thanks so much for writting it and shareing. Your Hollyhocks are beautiful too.

Marlene in Oregon