Let’s Make A Rug!

This rug was made in a frame using a technique called twining.

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I have just warped this rug frame and started two rows.

If you would like to make a rug with me, you’ll need our book Rugs From Rags and our DVD, both for $20.00.

Rugs can be made with old fabric you don’t want to sew with anymore, old linens, clothing, T-shirts – anything that’s washable. Denim is difficult to work with and even though it’s readily available, it’s not a good choice for a first rug.

This rug requires a wood frame and directions are included in the book to make your own. I am going to contact some of the retailers who use our book to see if they can supply the frame, for those of you who don’t have a handyman.

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We worked in the garden today – the dogs happily dug in the burn pile.

You were all in awe of Gloria’s gardens and so were we!

Reed enjoyed meeting kitty and so did Becky and Owen visited, too! He’s been well loved in the past few days.

Isn’t he just so cute?

Last year Reed gave me this Japanese lilac tree for my birthday – isn’t it beautiful?

Hazel loves when Connie visits – she whines and cries so Connie will give her a tummy rub.

This little kitten is needing a home real soon because I like him too much!

43 thoughts on “Let’s Make A Rug!

  1. Gayle Shumaker

    I would like one of the rug books and dvd. I will drop a check in the mail to you. The picture on the cover of the book looks like the rugs my husband’s grandmother made. I’ve only seen one of those and it is over 50 years old.

      1. CountryThreads Post author

        Arlene Kohlwey- I believe the rug book details are in the post. $20 to Country Threads and please include an address label. Our new book is not available yet.

  2. Carol at Pin Oak Quilting

    Mary, I think you are in love! Kitty is so sweet and cuddly looking!

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Patty T. – there’s a reason he likes to come here to see my animals – his family and grandparents do not like animals so no kitty for Reed.

      1. Diane Bauer

        Oh, no!!! I’m extra glad Reed has you so close by, if that’s the case! I can’t imagine my life without animals in it. They provide such amazing unconditional love!

  3. Sandy Ries

    I would like a copy of the book and video! I’ve wanted to learn to twine for quite some time now.
    Putting a check in the mail with a return envelope included.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Sandy Ries – don’t bother with the envelope – I need to use a large manilla evelope for the book. An address label would be helpful however.

  4. Nikki M

    Kittens name should be Danger.
    Been an absolute crazy week! And I think I may just have lost my mind! Submitted an offer on 112 acres with a 3 bedroom 2 bath house on it…it adjoins my place. NO I donot need the acreage.. or the house. It is listed way over value. It sold a little over 3 years ago to 2 couple out of Dallas area that wanted to be weekend ranchers. Bet they didn’t venture out here more than a dozen times. I know exactly what they paid for it, so submitted an offer for that amount plus small profit. They did no improvements except build a fire pit . Gave them 7 days to respond. Hell, I am to old to be buying more land!

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Nikki M – sounds kind of exciting, don’t you think? Are you going to resell or keep it for an investment? I hope this is the guy who made such a mess of your road! Good riddance!

      1. Nikki M

        If offer accepted I will keep it. Gave until July 1 @ 12noon to respond to offer & don’t expect response before.
        No not the a— that made mess of road… only wish. Did talk to county judge and he advised me if not restored to previous condition by end of July please let him know & will walk me through commissioners court procedure.. when I showed him photos could tell he was not happy camper. If that 13 acres ever comes up for sale will buy in a heartbeat.
        Be st emergency vet hospital since 3am with Ms Maci, stayed until 6pm when vet told me go home, she taking Ms Maci home with her for the night, been on IV .. pancreatitis..she only gets her RX dog food no people food, no treats. Don’t know of anything she got into..I feel so horrible for her.. so tiny..weighted only 3lb 10 oz at vet today…HATED to leave her…I cried all the way home

        1. CountryThreads Post author

          Nikki M – oh, how sad you had to leave her with the vet but at least she’s going home with the vet. I simply won’t leave them at the vet office to stay alone the whole night – from 5:30 pm till 8 am. It’s worse than the surgery. Gosh, I hope she comes around – any idea what happened?
          I hope that judge helps you within the road issue. Please let us all know what’s happening with your tiny baby. Gosh, that’s little!

        2. CountryThreads Post author

          Nikki – guess I can’t find your email but how is Ms. Macy this morning? Please let me know. I hope she’s back home with you!

          1. Nikki M in Tx

            Vet called me at 7am to say Ms Macy doing much better..will try her on food later in day & if does okay will take her off IV & I can bring her home in morning..yes she is a tiny little thing but has the spirit of a Saint Bernard..haven’t told her is of the K9 persuasion. She goes everywhere with me..have a kangaroo pouch type soft carrier use quite a bit. I always sit end of aisle at or near back of church and no one knows she there. One Sunday youth choir performing a boy doing solo voice cracked & she popped her head out.. didn’t make any noise..stared. & then popped back in.. man down pew from me levitated about a foot .. watched him out of corner of my eye…he turned beet red & entire body shook…as soon as services over I high tailed it out door..1/2 way to car I heard him calling after me but ignored him. He caught up with me & pointed to the pouch & asked me what is it.. she popped head out again.. I just answered a Methodist of course & double timed it to car…as I backed out he was still standing in the parking lot with his mouth open & a perplexed look on his face…

          2. CountryThreads Post author

            Nikki M – hahaha! A Methodist, of course! Hilarious! She really does go everywhere with you. I have a relative who does the same with her little dog Chauncey. And I found Chauncey by the road across the highway. I scooped him up and put him in a crate not knowing if he would be so afraid he could bite me. His hair was matted and dirty – I still don’t know where he came from but Cassie has him and he healed her heart after the death of her first little dog. Such a wonderful story and now Chauncey lives the life of comfort- probably like Ms. Macy. So hope she recovers and comes home to you. And so glad you were watching the blog and could answer my question.

  5. Jill Klop

    I’d like to order the book and dvd. Do I send a check? I’ve wanted to do this for a while. I’m always afraid that maybe I won’t follow through with actually finishing one! This post finally made me pursue doing it! Thanks!

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Jill Knop – yes, send your check for $20 to Country Threads. I’ll try to crack the whip and keep you working- haha!

      1. Jill Klop

        Thanks for your reply. I wasn’t sure if there would be tax on that or not. I’m on vacation, but I’ll mail a check and an address label as soon as I return. Thanks so much!

  6. Dorothy

    My mother in law used to make braided rugs out of old wool coats, or jeans.
    Did you ever know a Pat Thompson from Charles City?. She taught there for 38 years. Her husband Marv, may still be living there. I went to college with her way back when it was Iowa State Teacher’s College at Cedar Falls. She took me to your shop once when I stopped there on my way to see my son and his wife in
    Woodbury , Minn. I am in SW Iowa.

    1. Julie D.

      Dear Dorothy,
      My name is Julie (Thompson) DeBower and I am Pat’s daughter! Mary would remember my mom Pat as we went to Country Threads frequently! I love following Mary’s blog as I am a quilter because of my mom who unfortunately passed three years ago next month. My dad still lives on the acreage. Are you originally from Belmond? I remember mom talking about you and I may even have your phone number. I will give you a call next week. Please look me up on Facebook if you are a user.

      1. CountryThreads Post author

        Julie D and Dorothy – of course I remember Pat! Nice gal! You guys just connected!

  7. Katherine Gourley

    Hi Mary,

    I bought the book used a couple years ago, but it did not have the DVD. Is there any way to get just the DVD?

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Katherine Gourley – yes, I can send you just the DVD for$10.00. Send check to Country Threads

  8. Susan the Farm Quilter

    It’s totally okay to be the happy cat lady, you know. He is such a happy little guy and makes everyone smile…good medicine!!

  9. Doris Jean

    Mary,
    I make a lot of t-shirt quilts so I have lots of leftover t-shirt fabric. If anyone would like to pay the shipping I would be happy to part with it! Thank you for your blog and life lessons!!
    Doris

  10. Linda from WI

    It looks by the picture that kitten has a nice home. There’s nothing better than a baby of any kind. Congratulations Mary!

  11. Kate Schloemer

    The flower garden was absolutely lovely. I don’t care for the weeding part of a garden so don’t have much of a flower garden. Have a few on the edge of my vegetable garden. Which is very weedy right now.
    I have a rug book. I need to go find it so I can build a frame.
    Have a great day!!!

  12. Beth Laverty

    I just put a check in the mail for the Rug Book. My husband is extremely handy so I will be able to get a frame. He runs a furniture restoration business and he is also presently restoring a 1929 Model A Ford Truck.
    Meanwhile I loved the gardens visit. I dream of doing things like she had but my old body doesn’t want to do the work…… SIGH!!!!!!!!!!!!

  13. Sue H

    The rug-making sounds like fun. I may just see about making my own frame and giving it a shot. Unfortunately I’ll have to merely watch others progress because we’re going away for almost 2 weeks on the 4th. Twine on, ladies!!!

    Love your kitty, Mary, and I agree with the others that it looks like it already has a great home.

  14. Rhoda Ebersole

    I finished my rag rug and am so happy with it but don’t know how to attach a picture for you.

    The DVD directions are perfect too.

    That kitten is just the best!!!

  15. Wendy

    Keep that adorable kitten Mary. You know that one more won’t make a bit of difference! He is too cute to let go.

  16. Noël from Kentucky

    I started making a rug I don’t know how many years ago when there was a rug-along. I have only 3 1/2 rows done! I need someone to crack the whip on me, ha! Maybe this will be the year I get a 4th row done. ;-D

  17. Diane, Squeak's Mom

    Oh, Mary. I would love that kitten. Our favorite kitty was Socrates, a red kitty. I looked up on Mapquest and it’s 12 hours and 6 minutes from my house to yours!! Otherwise, I’d come get him.

    Does Hazel love the new kitty? Hazel is a cutie:)

    My rag rug is on the floor and I’m ready to make another. I sent pictures for you to see it with my “helper” before I took it off the frame. Thanks:) Diane

  18. Freda in AL

    I just had to show Hubby William “Little Precious” ! I had told him how sweet & loving Precious is ! We have 5 (yes … 5)’ inside only’ & one ‘feral outside’ orange kitty (that Wm. feeds twice a day!). He ask me if I would drive him to Iowa (he has macular degeneration) to get the little kitten! I am holding him back for now! “Who is going to care for Blackie, Fluffy, Snowball, Killer, Callie & Peaches while we drive about 5 days round trip!” I told him that Precious looks like he will be a “Velcro” Kitty” like our Blackie. I don’t know how he will manage 2 ‘Velcro cats’ sleeping on him & walking around crying… telling him.. “It’s “Nap Time!” ! I better not look at the PICs of Little Precious again! Freda in Alabama

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Freda in AL – too bad we don’t live a little closer to each other! I laughed out loud when I imagined his Velcro cat demanding nap time on his lap! They can be demanding, can’t they?

  19. LaNan Eldridge

    I too have the book but not the dvd. I’d like to make a rug! My friends and I all bought the loom and book on a Minnesota shop hop but none of us has made a rug yet! Shame on us!! I’m on vacation for another week but will put the check and label in the mail after the 4th. Thank you!

  20. Carolyn pope

    Hi Mary! I NEED that rug book & DVD! Were are in PA right now for Jenny’s first birthday but will send a check when we get home! I have enjoyed your blog! A fun way to keep up with you! Oh, I am loving making the Bullseye quilt! How freeing!
    Thanks! Carolyn P

  21. Cindy S.

    I would love to make a rug, but my health just isn’t up to it. I will be keeping up with you through the blog.

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