Wednesday, April 27, 2016

I Can't Stop Making Rugs

I've been trying to whittle down my stash of fabric, some of which I've had for more than twenty years.  (Does that qualify me as a fabric hoarder?)  Happily, I've found using the material to make rugs works out very well.

Since we don't have any carpeting in our house (nor do we desire to have any), I use a lot of what are commonly called throw rugs in strategic spots.  In the past couple of years, I've been making ones to replace previously purchased ones that I've hung on to way past their expiration dates.

For these rugs I'm making, I've used either Aunt Lydia's Rug Yarn (a brand no longer manufactured) that I've found on eBay . . . or strips of cloth fabric (refer back to first paragraph).

Back to my fabric hoard stash, my taste in design and color pallet preferences have changed since some of my old, old fabric was purchased.  I have a strong feeling I'll never use it in sewing garments or making quilts, so why not use it in making rugs?

To be honest, I did recently actually purchase some (dirt cheap -- what a find!) fabric in colors to compliment that in my stash.  To use in making the rugs.  Now I'm on a roll and can't stop making up these quasi-sorta-look-like-braided (mine are crocheted) rugs.


My most recently completed one (it measures approximately 20" x 30") was made specifically for the spring season.  I mean, don't we all need a splash of bright color 'bout this time of year?  However, I've refused to put it down on the floor (it will go in the kitchen in front of the sink) because our weather has been so very un-spring like!  Lots of gray, drippy days and even when we do see the sun, it just isn't warm enough to feel like spring yet.

I figure it will be a real celebration day when I deem the weather worthy of starting to use this particular rug.  (Are you starting to question my sanity?)


The next rug in progress?  This one shown above.  It will go at the juncture of the bottom of the stairs to my husband's office and the doorway to my quilt room.

Then I plan on making one to match the new quilted summer shower curtain (which is - ahem - not even started yet) in the bathroom, a couple of a specific size for hubby's office, three matching ones for the living room, two new ones for our bedroom to match the new quilt on the bed, one for the door coming in from the garage . . . you see?  There is no end.  Good thing I can't stop making them.

24 comments:

Laurie said...

Oh my goodness, they are really pretty. I love how bright and vibrant the first one is. I agree, it should go in your kitchen. I made one out of t-shirt material years ago. It was very heavy and I used navy blue material which showed every piece of dust, lint, and you name it. What can I say? You live and learn. Obviously, you know what you're doing. Love yours!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

What fun - I've made a few over the years - two of them were nearly room size - one for my cousin's dining room an done for ours. I had to eventually sit on a kitchen chair and pull the rug towards me as I worked around it - it was too heavy to hold in my lap.

Kim said...

The rugs are beautiful and I can see why you enjoy making them so much, it is because you are so good at it. Thank you for sharing them with us.

Michelle said...

Love them!

Sparkless said...

Those are very bright and cheery. What a great way to use up all that fabric.

Vera said...

Love those rugs, and will have a go at making one myself eventually, although I am concerned about being able to keep it clean. We have a homestead in France, and our feet and those of our dogs, are frequently muddy but I also have a fabric stash which could do with being used up!

Sandy Livesay said...

Mama Pea,

Beautiful rugs!!! I can kick myself, when going through my parents home Mom had two large garment boxes full to the rim of material. I sold both boxes in the estate sale. I should have taken at least one to make some rugs.......

I know how you feel about not wanting to stop making stuff....I'm that way with afghans.

Susan said...

I LOVE YOUR RUGS! Yes, I'm yelling at you. Or rooting for you. I especially love your new spring rug. I would hate to put it on the floor, lest anyone actually stand on it...

DFW said...

Your rugs are beautiful! Can't wait until my stash grows to rug making size.

Mama Pea said...

Laurie - One would have thought the navy blue would have been a good color to not show the dirt, but I know what you mean about showing dust and lint! I've learned not to use beige because it almost immediately looks dirty. Such problems (not) we have!

Mama Pea said...

JoAnn - I simply cannot imagine making one as big as room size. What an accomplishment!

Mama Pea said...

Kim - Aw gosh, what a nice compliment! :o}

Mama Pea said...

Thanks a bunch, Michelle!

Mama Pea said...

Sparkless - I love bright colors! I could never go with the stark black and white decorating theme! I read somewhere a long time ago that the smart homemaker decorates her home with neutral colors and then wears bright colors herself so people notice her and not her furniture. Phooey I say to that!!

Robin (Q of E) said...

I am in love with the first rug! It is just the right thing for me. Congrats on the finished product and for your wonderful talent. R

Mama Pea said...

Vera - Living in the country (out in the woods, really) as we do, we also track in lots of dirt. The rugs are quite washable . . . which is one of the reasons I'd never have carpeting in our house. I'd have to clean it every single week!

Mama Pea said...

Sandy - I've always needed some creative outlet using my hands. I went through a period when I knit many afghans, too. I still have a couple of favorite books of patterns I can't part with.

Mama Pea said...

Susan - Yeah, first person (or four-footed critter) who gets it dirty is in for it! ;o} That's why darned near everything in our house is washable!

Mama Pea said...

DFW - Watch second hand stores for colorful sheets. That will grow your stash for rug making fabric in a hurry!

Mama Pea said...

Robin - You must be like me and have a passion for bright colors!

Thanks for your nice words, Robin.

Lisa said...

LOVE your rugs!!! Always!!! Love the colors you used in both of these. Hope your weather gets to the point where you'll put those pretty rugs down to see and use. :)

Mama Pea said...

Lisa - You're such a sweetie! We've had a couple of sunny days, today included. I'm finally uncovering the strawberries today . . . while wearing my down work jacket!

gld said...

I love the rugs. I need to do something that productive while sitting on my backside....instead of reading.

Mama Pea said...

gld - Oh, but there are so many good books to read!! ;o}