Rag Rug Making

Rag Rug Making: Contemporary projects, techniques and inspirations for a traditional craft
By Jenni Stuart Anderson
Published by: Traplet Publications
ISBN 978 1 900371 53 7
Price: £9.95

For me what singles this book out from many other instructional publications is real people. The author includes people’s memories of making and using rag rugs as well as work by people who make them for pleasure, rather than for a living.

The tradition of making rag rugs from scraps of fabric is familiar to many of us. Reading the personal accounts scattered throughout the chapters opened my eyes to the part this craft used to play in families and communities.

Sprinkled throughout the section about Designing Rugs are "Inspiration" pages. These highlight different responses to a variety of themes including People, Flowers and Mythology in a relaxed manner typical of the book as a whole.

Prodding, progging and hooking are all clearly explained with clear diagrams and illustrations. Projects using each technique are provided as well as some using combined techniques.

Overall an appealing book to use and peruse.