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| Hooked Rug |
Get hooked on this easy rug-making technique.
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An ancient European craft called rug hooking is used to make a doormat from pieces of scrap fabric. Traditionally, old hessian bags were used as the background, and fabric to be used was cut into strips (similar to rug braiding).
Because hessian "gives" and closes up again when hooking loops of fabric, it lends itself to forming a pile. One can also cut the loops, which gives an even more carpet-like impression.
First, a rug hook is made, as these can be difficult to find. Use a wooden file handle, bought from a hardware store. This will already have a hole in the centre of it. The end of a 3.5cm crochet hook is cut off and glued inside the wooden handle. Use a good two-part glue such as Araldite to form a strong bond.
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Use a marker to outline the design on a piece of hessian. We created a fish. Allow enough space for a 6cm hem all around. (See Diagram 1.)
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A sewing machine is used to zig-zag stitch the edges of the hessian to prevent them from fraying.
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Fabric such as old T-shirt material can be used for the rug hooking, as it is easy to pull through the hessian. However, any material can be used providing it is cut accordingly. Thick fabric has to be cut into thin strips, thin materials into wider strips.
Cut in the direction where the fabric is most stretchy. If long strips are used, they can be rolled into a ball to avoid tangling. A combination of colours can be used.
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Rug hooking is started from the centre. Then work out to the edges of the design. This will prevent too much distortion in the hessian.
To start rug hooking, form a loop and pull it through the hessian. The end strip will be cut later. Form a loop. Hold it with your left thumb and index finger and pull it through with the hook. Form a loop on the right side.
Try to hook each loop as closely as possible to the next. Always hook in the direction of the hook. When starting with a new strip, pull the end of the finished strip through as before. Hook the new strip into the same hole. Continue rug hooking until all the areas have been filled in. (See Diagram 2.)
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Once the design is completed, use a sewing machine to sew the cotton tape around the 6cm hem allowance. The tape is 5cm wide. Sew only along one side of the tape (the side closest to the pile), so that 2.5cm of the cotton tape is revealed on the front of the doormat and 2.5cm on the back.
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Flip the doormat over so you can work on the back of it. Cut a piece of backing out of hessian. This needs to be the same size as the doormat. Apply glue to the back of the doormat so that the piece of backing can be stuck onto it. This will protect the finished project. The backing can be attached by stitching instead of gluing if preferred. Fold over the hem, with the cotton tape attached, and hand-stitch over the top of the edges of the backing fabric.
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Materials
Hessian (480 x 610mm)
Thick felt-tip marker
Sewing machine
Cotton tape (5cm wide)
Fabric strips
Fabric scissors
PVA glue (optional)
For rug hook (easily made as above):
Wooden file handle
3.5cm crochet hook
Araldite glue
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Cost
Hessian $1.50, @ $2.99/m
Cotton tape (5cm wide) $1.80, @ $1.80/roll
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More Info
The consultant for this project, Sabine Parge, is a textile artist who teaches and sells her works.
Contact Sabine Parge, 46 Horsfield Rd., Horsfield Bay, NSW 2256
ph: (02) 4344 6601
fax: (02) 4344 6602.
E-mail: jsparge@tac.com.au.
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Disclaimer
All Fact Sheets and other material on the Our House website are provided as a general information service only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for the advice of a properly qualified tradesman. Neither ninemsn nor its licensors (including the Nine Network) assume or accept any responsibility for, and will not be liable for the accuracy or appropriate application of any information whatsoever in any Fact Sheet or other material on the Our House web site. Your use of the Our House web site is governed by this disclaimer and the ninemsn's Terms of Use.
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