Recently I've incorporated upholstery mill ends as weft into a rag rug. I was hoping to have the shaggy rug effect after weaving them, but I've found they aren't very secure within the warp. They actually fall out if tugged on too much, giving me concerns for machine washing.  Is there a way to weave these mill ends so they 'stand up' within the rug in a more secure fashion ? The mill ends were sown into long remnants from the factory. After weaving them as weft, they tend to lay down within the warp. Any photos of the weaving technique would be appreciated. Thank you !

Comments

tracyjayn (not verified)

I have made a few furry rugs with mill ends...  you can look at a picture I have in my projects.  I have not been weaving long, but have washed my rugs about 20 times and they have held together great.  I love them.  Let me know how it works out for you.  What kind of loom are you using? Where did your ends come from?

TinaHilton (not verified)

I've also woven rugs with upholstery selvedge and they're very nice, firm rugs.  Did you use a solid floor loom with a good beat?

Here's a picture I took of some of them.  Ignore the tote bag that's in the middle.  This picture was for a presentation on rag rug weaving at my guild.

Claudia Segal (not verified)

What sett did you use?  Have you considered doubling the warp ends?  I used seleveges and the sett I chose was 7 doubled.  I threaded the warp with 2 threads in each heddle and wove plain weave.  You want the warp open enough to allow the selvedge edges to stick out and create the shaggy look but you need strength and firmness too. 

Do you have a photo of the rug?

Claudia

weaver1126

I have a bag of these just sitting here ready to weave.  It is my next project.  It would be great to have some information on set and such.  Does the warp show at all?  I thought of mixing some colors in the warp and am wondering if it is worth the trouble. 
Thanks

swelch (not verified)

It depends on what sort of selvage you are working with.  If you are working with a really shaggy upholstery selvage, the warp will tend to get covered up pretty well.  You will likely be able to see it if you go looking for it though.  If you use something like Great Northern's jazz strings (I love these!) your warp will show much more.

I am in the middle of a long warp of selvage rugs.  I used Great Northern's 100% poly rug warp set at 8 epi, all black.  I used a variety of different wefts: cotton shaggy selvages, rayon chenille shaggy selvages, rag cloth, denim strips, jazz strings, andmachine-knitted i-cord. I like my results so far!  

weaver1126

Thanks for the information.  I am set at 8 epi with the 8/2 cotton poly rug warp.  I think I have got the selvedges from Great Northern.I am just finishing up a rug and this one will be my next one.

TinaHilton (not verified)

I can't remember off-hand if I used 6 or 8 epi, but I know it was doubled for extra strength.  With the really hairy selvedges, some of my friends take the time to comb fringe so as little as possible is trapped by the warp.  The warp does show some, but how much depends on how much of the fringe is on top.