18 April 2014

An artist's rug


"Peacock" was designed by Winifred Nicholson  and hooked in 1970 by Florence Williams; it measures 34"x54", and the slightly bent shape is because it's photographed from a book, "Rag Rug Creations" by Lynne Stein. The caption says the rug was inspired by a mosaic in Ravenna of the same theme, colour, and composition . The flowers especially don't look as though they're from a mosaic ... they seem very much in Winifred Nicholson's painting style -



4 April 2014

12 ways to recycle fabric into rugs

"Archipelago" is done in cross stitch, using t-shirt fabric
Re Rag Rug is an experimental design project that explores the social and environmental sustainability of the rug. The project started in August 2012 by Katarina Brieditis and Katarina Evans. In 12 months, they created 12 unique rugs using 12 different textile techniques. Their materials were old clothing and scraps from the textile industry — fabric that otherwise would have been discarded.
They used different types of rags in combination with a variety of textile techniques: sewing, crocheting, knitting, macramé, rolling, cutting, appliqué, embroidery, structure and relief effects, three dimensionality, color and dyeing techniques - and they also experimented with scales. This resulted in 12 new types and expressions of rugs.
"Aquarelle" uses old woolen sweaters and running stitch, rather like kantha technique
"Many of the rugs were made with craft techniques that didn’t require large spaces or machines and could therefore be manufactured as cottage industry in textile producing countries," they say. "Via this mode of production, using waste is environmentally sustainable while socially sustainable. At the same time, the production becomes a platform for developing crafts and creates jobs."
(info from handeyemagazine.com/content/re-rag-rug, photos from reragrug.blogspot.se, where you can see all the rugs ... none of which is hooked!)
Seen at "Creative Stitches" show (Excel centre, London, 3-5 April) - gun-tufted rugs by Ingrid Wagner -

 Ingrid had a big stand, with examples of knitty and crochet ways to make her huge balls of fabric strips into rugs ... and huge needles to make them with -

1 April 2014

Hooked Jewellery


I've not done much rug hooking lately as I've been busy studying for an Art History degree...however I just found these two remaining Necklets which were exhibited at The Knitting and Stitching Show awhile back ..I made them using a rug hooking technique! 

It is such a beautiful day I took this photo whilst out in my garden a few minutes ago....Happy April Everyone....Jill

www.jilltextileart.com