Quality Rag Rugs

Does this color enhance or detract? Is there enough contrast between background and pattern? Is five centimeters of plain weave between pattern sections too long, or too short? I ask myself questions as I weave a new design. I consider all the technical aspects, as well. Warp tension, treadling finesse, and shuttle shuffling. Attention to detail matters.

Rosepath rag rug on the loom. Karen Isenhower
Design elements are planned before weaving, and then adjusted as weaving progresses on the loom.

Details begin in the planning stage with design, choice of materials, and colors. While weaving rosepath rag rugs, consistency counts. I aim for a consistently firm beat and good, tight selvedges. All of these elements contribute to quality. And as I grow in my weaving skills, overall quality improves.

Rosepath rag rugs require extra attention at the selvedges.
Rosepath rag rugs require extra attention at the selvedges.
Rosepath rag rug on the loom.
Yellow dash is made with a single weft pick. The single fabric strip is cut long enough to securely tuck the ends back into the shed.

A person’s character is defined by their motivations. It’s not what you do, but why you do it. It is not enough to look good. I can buy a cheap rug that looks good. But if I could examine how it was made, I might find the shortcuts that diminished its quality. Our inward motivations are revealed in our outward behaviors. The cheap rug fades and comes apart all too quickly. By examining our own motives we build quality of character. The result is not only lovely, but durable, too.

May your quality control efforts succeed.

With you,
Karen

6 thoughts on “Quality Rag Rugs

  1. i just love reading your blog posts and following what you are up to! You inspire me to weave more my friend! Have a most beautiful day! I love your quote about a person’s character being defined by their motivations. I know I weave because it completes me, I love it and I see you do too!

  2. Often a project changes when seen on the loom. Spacing of pattern and negative morphs into, for that project, a perfectness that was not planned. When I weave, Quilt, knit, or sew hand woven I stand back and revise. Very much like life. What we start out planning to do at 20 years old morphs into what we’ve done by 60. ENJOY the journey; we only have one. LP&J, linda

    1. Linda, So true! You give a great description of how we make revisions through life’s turns and tangles. And to enjoy the journey is a great way to live!

      Karen

    1. I do not use floating selvedges for rosepath rag rugs. I prefer to take the weft on the ski shuttle over or under the outer ends as needed. The important thing is to catch every outer warp end – with floating selvedges, or by manipulating the outer warp end as needed. I explained the way I do it in point 1. in Rag Rug Selvedges Made Easy.

      Happy Weaving,
      Karen

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