1/12/17

Salem Ruler and Olfa Cutter = Round Rag Rug Rolls

Quilters Tools Rule!   Of all the lessons learned as a quilter, 'Rotary Cutting 101' has been the most valuable and most used in practically every fabric project I undertake.

For sure it is the #1 time saver in Rag Rug making.  That is due to my preference for clean edges and exact sizes of strips as opposed to raveled/stringy edges and approximate sizes when strips are torn. 

I'm picky that way, and I'm a 'NeatNick' when it comes to craftsmanship. 
So it goes to say that making the most of saving time begins with cutting strips...lots of strips.

I select fabrics from my Rag Rug Stash based on color, print and weight (some fabrics are stiffer/heavier). 

Once I have filled a sizeable basket with a batch of rolls, I am ready to coordinate them for a rug.  More often than not, I end up back in the stash for one or two blenders like the solid green and blue in the rug now on my worktable. 
I like working in the round and with each round rug, I figure out something that makes it easier, more time efficient and improvements to craftsmanship.  For instance the starting circle...instead of forming a loop with a knot...wrap the fabric around the crochet hook leaving an inch and half tail...take it to the sewing machine and stitch across the strip to form a loop to fit the hook.  So much less bulky and easier to make the beginning circle.  I chain 4...join in 1st chain...chain 1...single crochet in circle 8 times catching and covering the tail in the first few single crochet...NO KNOT!  In round 2...2 single crochet in back loop of each of the 8 single crochet.

Here are a couple of Round Rag Rugs from a Basket Batch of
Salem Ruler and Olfa Cutter Rolls.

3 comments:

  1. round and round Sue goes, where she stops no one knows....good work

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Joanne. I imagine I'll stop going round and round when I run out of Rag Rug makings...not likely to happen...or I latch on to the next project to go round and round on.

      Delete
  2. I really like the brown and red rug. I just ordered an ergonomic rotary cutter, to see if it helps. I'm hoping to check out your booth at British Antiques on Tuesday. Monday got filled up, helping with kiddies.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your visit & comment. I'd love to return the visit...please leave your LINK or click on over and comment on Where Bluebonnets Grow.