Wednesday, October 19, 2016

NEW ITEM: Two Loom Gift Sets With Bag and a Mini Gift Set UPDATE




Here's a SURPRISE for you. . .
 Brand New Items Available Now!

This is the first time that we have offered a LARGER GIFT SET. . .

I stitched up these bags and they were so roomy that I decided
to offer them with both the TWO-N-ONE RAG RUG LOOM
and the MINI RAG RUG LOOM. . .
There's plenty of room for both Looms and for other supplies, too. . .


You'll receive a TWO-N-ONE RAG RUG LOOM, A MINI RAG RUG LOOM,
A SHABBY FARMHOUSE BAG, AND A SET OF INSTRUCTIONS. . .

EACH GIFT SET
$65.00, plus $22.50 Shipping and Handling

If you would like to learn more about the Rag Rug Mini Loom itself,
here's the link for ya. . .
MINI RAG RUG LOOM

For information on the Two-N-One Loom,
here's that link. . .

** Please note: Postal rates are for the contiguous United States.
 
EMAIL US WITH ANY QUESTIONS!!!




Who doesn't LOVE flowers?
Especially ROSES. . .
and a Seed Bag embellishing the roomy Pocket

ROSES AND SEEDS Two Loom Gift Set
SOLD
  




This SPECIAL GIFT SET has an addition on the back. . .
A ring to hang Scissors or anything you might want handy. . .
and Two Pockets to boot!!!!

STRIPES, DENIM, AND ROSES
SOLD





More STRIPES and DENIM. . .and another SEED BAG embellishment. . .
Two Pockets. . .and nicely trimmed. . .

DENIM, STRIPES AND SEEDS 

SOLD




I've also UPDATED the Photos of Part I of the MINI RAG RUG LOOM GIFT SET. . .
See them here:




Thanks for Shopping with Us!




Monday, October 17, 2016

MINI RAG RUG LOOM GIFT SETS 2016 Part I UPDATED



Here they are, Everyone!!!
The first of the MINI RAG RUG LOOM GIFT SETS FOR 2016. . .
I may have a few more but it will be several weeks before I post them.

This year's theme is a little more SHABBY FARMHOUSE. . .
Lots of DENIM AND LACE. . .
A few with ANGEL quotes. . .
A 'POSTCARD' or two. . .


As in 2015, each gift set is ONE OF A KIND. . .
Handcrafted by John and myself. . .

They will only be available from now until December 5, 2016. . .
when we will be closing the Our Old Country Store for the Holidays. . .
so. . .don't wait too long to order. . .

 OH MY!!! YOU WAITED TOO LONG. . .
ALL LOOM GIFT BAGS ARE SOLD. 

But. . .I'll leave them posted for a while. . .Use them for inspiration to make your own bag. . .
Thanks for SHOPPING. . .


All Sets include:  a MINI LOOM, INSTRUCTIONS,
enough RECYCLED FABRIC STRIPS to start you on your first Mini Rug. . .
and a SHABBY FARMHOUSE STYLE BAG with at least one LARGE POCKET for scissors and such.

EACH GIFT SET: 
$27.50, plus $12 Shipping and Handling
 
If you would like to learn more about the Rag Rug Mini Loom itself,
here's the link for ya. . .
MINI RAG RUG LOOM

** Please note: Postal rates are for the contiguous United States.
 
EMAIL US WITH ANY QUESTIONS!!!


3-D IS SOLD



ANGEL WORK IS RARELY DONE
Don't we all know that!
2-D in tones of SOFT GREENS and PINKS, LACE, BUTTONS and PATCHES on the pocket. . 

3-D  SOLD








FOR THOSE WHO LOVE DENIM
4-D has touches of BLUE DENIM, TICKING and painted RED APPLES. . .

5-D sports a LARGE RED APPLE. . .while. . .

6-D is embroidered with SUNFLOWERS, CORN,
and trimmed with RIBBONS. . .

7-D,  8-D,  9-D ARE SOLD



7-D SOLD
8-D SOLD
9-D SOLD


10-D IS SOLD


10-D IS SOLD



SOLD

11-D is yet another ANGEL WORK. . .

12-D and 13-D are SOLD



A POSTAL STAMP, a piece of HANKY TUCKED AND PINNED IN THE POCKET. . .
Ribbon Trim, Buttons, and a FLOWER POT BUTTON make these two a 
set anyone would LOVE. . .

12-D SOLD

13-D SOLD

15D IS SOLD



14-D is in DENIM BLUE and PEACH. . .

15-D SOLD






For the GARDENER or anyone who LOVES FLOWERS. . .
16-D is for her. . .There's BUTTONS, a GARDEN SIGN, a POT OF FLOWERS

17-D has a unique POCKET from some Farmhouse JEANS. . .




Aren't they FUN?

I'm glad I don't have to choose for you. . .
All are my favorite.
It's almost hard to part with them. . .
ALMOST. . .(grin)





Friday, September 30, 2016

Sneak Peek: MINI RAG RUG LOOM GIFT SETS


Just in time for Christmas shopping. . .
here's a SNEAK PEEK at the MINI RAG RUG LOOM GIFT SETS. . .
available soon and only for about six weeks.

For more INFORMATION and PHOTOS, go to: 






Wednesday, August 3, 2016

FINISHED!! A 60" RAG RUG by Stephanie


You remember Stephanie Starzin's Tutorial on weaving beautiful RAG RUGS with stripes, don't you?


Well, she's back. . .This time with a review of John's newest RAG RUG LOOM and EXTENSION KIT. . .

Step has been so helpful and supportive in the development of our Rag Rug Looms. . .We have to give her credit for the newest addition to the line--a loom that will make a 60" RAG RUG. . .She emailed us several months ago and asked if John could make her extensions that would fit the large loom, which she already had. . .The good thing about John's looms is that all his top bars and sidebars can be interchanged with each other. . .So John put his thinking cap on and the result was just what Stephanie asked for. . .


Step was so kind to send us photos and comments once she wove a rug on her new loom. . .

Hi Dru,  It's me, Stephanie. . .You had shipped me the extra side (60 inch) pieces of the weaving loom I have.  It took me awhile to get started on the rug, took a little time off.  Anyway, I've completed it about a week ago. I'm going to try and send you a couple pictures of the rug.  It wasn't a problem to weave the rug on it, I just made sure I put the back brace on it. and also, I cut my fabric a little thinner, but not for that reason.. .
I love it. . .It's in front of my couch. My son came to visit a couple weeks ago and he slept on it, (fun) he liked sleeping on it better then the couch. . .I'm sure you will have a blast weaving one for you and John.    
Step had nothing but good things to say about John's newest Rag Rug Loom. . .If you'd like to purchase your own. . .Click on the Link at the sidebar. . .or here. . .


Many thanks to Stephanie for continuing to INSPIRE us. . .It's weavers like her who make all our efforts worthwhile. . .




Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Ladies Turn Rag Rugs Into Cash

 
Update from Marta: "There are 42 ladies involved in the program who have created and sold about 200 rugs, 20 sets of placemats and a few hand bags.  We are presently  working on an order of 480 rugs!!!! The materials used for weaving is  recycle strips of fabric from local tailors". . . .READ MORE. . .
 
 


Thursday, March 10, 2016

Method for Cutting Fabric Into Strips for Weaving


 
THIS IS GENIUS!
I've seen it before for crocheting with fabric,
but never thought about applying it to weaving.
 
 
Thanks for a GREAT TIP!!!!
 


Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Weaving Stripes: Pattern Tutorial for Stephanie's Rag Rugs

 
Aren't these lovely?
I knew they were special when I opened the first photo that Stephanie sent me a few months ago.
They look so neat. . .no strings. . .but what struck me was the uniform stripes. . .and the perfectly matched pattern of them. . .not like the overall patterns that I weave. . .I love to weave 'tongues' of color, but I've never tried making the uniform rows like these. . .
 
 
AN EARLY RUG, MADE WHILE PERFECTING THE TECHNIQUE
 
I was very curious about the technique Stephanie used. . .
so I emailed her and asked if she would share with all of us. . .
It was before Christmas, so we had to get through the holidays. . .
True to her word, she emailed me the photos and her weaving technique just recently.
She also went the extra mile and wove a sample rug just for us!
That's no small task. . .
 
 
 
I'll be using parts of her emails so that the instructions are in her own words. . .
She deserves the entire credit. . .
I'll only make a few comments and basic steps in red.
 

 
 1. Warp (up and down) strips are cut from sheets or cheaper fabric,
approximately 2 1/2" wide and sewn together, not knotted.
 
"I cut the warp strips wide, but I use fabric like sheets or the thinner fabrics. . .the flannel fabric I use for the rest of the rug. . .I cut the strips about 2 1/2 inches.  I also like to cut the strips for the warps wide, I think this gives the rug more stability. (* See more details after Step 2) I've done it both ways. . .the thicker strips may make the rugs last longer too. If I use a fabric that's thinner with the thicker, I cut the strip thicker so it matches up with the thicker fabric. I also found out that when having thicker strips, I can roll the fabric so that the raw edges are hidden within the strips for the most part, giving a cleaner look. I also started to stitch my stripes together instead of knotting them. . .This gives a cleaner-smoother look on the back side."
 
2. Cut Waft strips according to the thickness of the fabrics before beginning to weave.
 
*In answer to my question if she normally cuts both the warp and waft strips 2 1/2", Step replied,  "Yes, I cut most every strip of fabric 21/2 inches, even the warp strips.  There is a time I may cut the strips even a bit wider and that is when I may use a lighter weight fabric with the heavier fabric. I do this so the rug feels level, smooth, not wavey when it's on the floor and not uncomfortable when your standing on it with your bare feet.  But I think you would feel the uneveness if you were in slippers or shoes. A person  needs to use their own judgement on how wide to cut a fabric. Most of my fabric is cut 21/2 inches, But there has been some of the thick blankets that I had to cut in half to use after first cutting them 21/2 inches.  They were just too bulky. I like to use sheets (for the warp) because I like the consistant strength of the whole area of the warp.  I once used something different and the warp was not consistent, so by the time I got to the center of the rug, it felt sloppy in the middle. The sheets, the regular ones, I like the best for the warp, but ofcourse, a person can use what they want and like."
"I use mostly flannel blankets and heavy knits (for the waft).  I have a great thrift store here were I get most of my fabric, used and new.  I like the softness under my feet.  I started with a heavy knit, got three large rolls at a yard sale the year before and after making some curtains and a bed skirt, I didn't know what I was going to do with the rest. Ha! surprise, I bought a loom 8 months later and wished I knew that when I bought the rolls of fabric, I got each roll for a $1.00. What I could be doing with all that fabric."
 
Note her use of clothespins while weaving the first few rows. . .
Another super idea to keep the warp in place.
 
 
 
 
3. Divide the cut strips in half and set aside--1/2 for the top, 1/2 for the bottom.
Also cut strips for the fringe and set aside.
 

"After cutting the strips of fabric (for the waft), I count them out, half for the top, the other half for the bottom. This doesn't mean I use them all, it's just a way of being sure I have enough to do the same design on the other end.  I also pick what fabric I'm using for the fringe and set that aside."
 
 
 
4. To weave distinctive rows, change the colors of both weaving strips close to the rod,
stitching the two strips together.

". . .hopefully you can see in the picture that I cut the fabric close to the rod and attach the next transition piece to it, making the transition cleaner.  This takes a little practice, some fabric stretches more then others, so what happens, the fabric your adding will stretch way into the next roll, which you don't want.  Also, I don't cut the previous strip till I have the new strip sewn on.  This makes it easier to stitch really close to the rod."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5. Flip the loom over after weaving several top rows and
weave the bottom with the same number and pattern of rows.
 
6. Continue weaving in this manner, toward the center until finished.
(Although she didn't say, I'm sure Stephanie sews the finishing ends together
instead of knotting them.)
 
7. Remove rug from the loom. Attach fringe.


 
Stephanie's Rag Rugs are so inspiring, aren't they?
She says she's a neat freak, which is why she developed a way to weave that isn't as primitive. . .
and they mimic high end rugs made commercially.
She is so clever.
Many thanks to her for this tutorial. . .
I know we will all be referencing it over and over again.
Be sure and print this one out!
 
 
AN EARLY RUG, MADE WHILE PERFECTING THE TECHNIQUE
 
HAPPY RAG RUGGING TO ALL!
 
If you would like to thank Step for her Weaving Pattern,