How do you do the ends? I mean, when the rug is as big as you want it, how do you finish it?

Thanks so much for this tutorial, it's awesome! Now I know what to do with all the strips I have! :-)

Great!!! Get to making your rug!! :thumbup:

Great tute. We do not have cotton clothesline here in Ireland but I am sure I will find somethink else to use.

Oh this reminds me I still have this on my list of projects to do.

cute rug made with clothesline, thanks for sharing!

Her running stitch looks to be called a 3 step zigzag stitch on other machines. It will show that there are about 2 or 3 stitches each zig and each zag. And you may need to use a size 16 or 18 needle, as well as do not stitch too fast! Go, slower than if you were doing clothing/quilting. Also, I did not see how to end it?
A little dab of fabric glue may help when wrapping the clothes line with the fabric at the spot where you are changing of colors of fabrics.

I picture just sewing on the outside edge of the rug, so nothing really goes into the arm of the machine. Is that right? I did rag rugs when I was young, but this sounds quicker, thanks for one more thing to keep me up all night long. :shock:

Hi everyone, I just love this site. Everyone is so friendly, helpful and full of so many great Ideas. I AM in the process of doing this rug and there are some questions I have about this rug and I hope someone will answer before I go on to the second one. I had to use a synthetic braided rope because I cannot find it in a cotton. I am finding after sewing --this rug is very stiff--is it supposed to be this way? Will it ever soften up? also, there are numerous threads that I have been trimming just before sewing. Should I let them be? I will post a photo of this one when I'm done. Anne

Oh, what a great rug! Thanks for sharing how to do it

Wow i like this idea i also really love these rugs my friend in NY had one in her kitchen but she bought it and i never knew how to make them so thank you for sharing this i think i may give it a go

Wow, I love this idea, your rug is fabulous! I usually hook mine with a crochet hook using recycled clothing, (much slower) I plan on posting up a tutorial when I have done a bit more on my latest one. I am definately going to give yours a try, thank you so much!

Gal

Where do you buy that clothesline? I am having trouble finding cotton (not synthetic) clothesline. Maybe i can find some on-line.

love the scrap rug

Did you use a heavy thread or just normal all purpose? Just love the rug .

Hi, I just purchased 6 Packages of the cotton clothesline at Walmart. It wasn't in the Craft Dept. I found it in the Hardware dept. It was $2.74 for one package/100 ft. This was the third Walmart that I shopped in. The other two didn't have any--but then I wasn't looking in the Hardware Dept either. Now that I have 600 feet of it, I'm going to be busy wrapping it. Anne

awesome, glad you found the clothesline

Hi, I just finished a small rug and when I get close to the end I trim/taper the clothesline and using the gluestick, apply some to the strip of fabric you are wrapping and actually wrapping further than the clothesline to create a point. I then folded part of the point back and secured it with the gluestick. It's a little sticky at first but when it's dry it's fine. This creates a soft end that won't bump out at the very end of the rug after It's been sewn. Hope this helps. Anne

I just found the tutorial here. I have done various rag rug patterns thru the years. I would love to see how all your rugs turned out and if you found out how to make it lay flat and not turn up. Also, did any of you make a room size rug?

Great rugs, you guys! I am so addicted to the coil baskets using this method. I never even thought to make a rug. I use a pinking blade in my rotary cutter to keep the fabric from ravelling, but don't know if it has to be done that way. I guess not.

Kas

Linda, to keep the cord tight when I am making bowls this way I just wind enough to get the needle started in the cord. Then, with the needle in the down position and in the cord, I start wrapping the rest of the cord while keeping slight tension on it all. Sometimes I end up halfway across the room!

Kas

How long do you cut your strips. With the other methods I have used they specify a length. It seems if they were too long they would get tangled.

I have made the bowls and coasters but never thought of a rug.
Okay another project in my mind to do.
When I make the bowls, I use a small black spring paper clip.
They hold tighter than a clothes pin and won't come off if you put it aside for a while. I also use a denim needle.
** Also, to the lady that wondered about how much goes under the neck of the machine...you work from the inside out and so you would only have the round you are sewing on under the machine neck. Hope this helps :)

Could I use raphia? I have lots of raphia that I was going to use for a project but now - its left over. Just wondering.
Thanks,
Scherrie

I have been wanting baskets but they are so expensive I cant get all I could use I will have to try this! is it just as easy to do square?

I was cutting the strips the width of the fabric, but if you are doing a scrap rug and not a planned rug, then you would just use whatever length you have. I don't cut the cord until I get to the end of the bowl. And the gal who taught the class I took suggested unwrapping the whole bunch of cord and then make a ball of it like you do with yarn. To keep that ball from unwrapping while I am sewing or wrapping fabric strips, I stick a flower headed pin or two into it at the point where the loose end is. Am I just confusing you more? I have a hard time getting my thoughts across on paper, sometimes.

No, I understand. You are making good sense. I would have to try it to see which way would be best for me. Maybe both? :)

Great tips, thanks for sharing!!!!! love the idea of using a lg. blk. clip....after I read it I had that "DUH" moment, makes perfect sense.
Quilting Arts show last week had a demo on using the same methods and it seeing it made it much easier. She used a zigzag stitch and the project went together really quick. She was making bowls but almost the same methods would apply.

Dear Gcathy,
I just had to comment on your personal quote. I absolutely love it! Where did you come up with it?? I'm going to send it to my pastor; he'll probably come up with a sermon on it! :lol:

I am going to try this (soon) what kind of thread did you use? That is so cool, love it. Thanks for the tute:)

I have never seen a rug made like this. I've seen commercial ones but not hand made ones. I do make twined rugs but they are done on a frame. I love your rugs.

Thanks for this tut.

That looks nice

Oh my - thanks for sharing! Wouldn't this make a neat bag if you used thinner rope?!!

Thanks Mary for this neat idea & such good instructions. I have made 2 "rugs" for my tables & a coaster for DD's Starbuck's drink. :-)

I'm looking forward to doing this. I don't have time for the rug so I will just make some coasters right now.

I am getting so many frayed edges and this rug looks like it has none. Help!

That is so cool -- thanks for the tute.

I have boxes and boxes of saved strips. Thanks for the tutorial. I need some rugs super badly. I can't wait.

So my husband went to the hardware store and bought me some white cord, but it's venetian blind cord. Is that ok?

i am half way through making a basket same technique but you ease the coils upwards. Small bowls are also good.i was amaze how much material is used.