Penny Rugs and More

Working on my green penny rug

2013-04-23T23:55:00.001-07:00

YIPPEE!

I actually found enough thread!

The match was close enough to the hand dyed pieces I started with,
get this, 2 years ago for this rug!

(stitching slow as time was flying by!)

Last night I finished the last row.

This rug is a collection of 2" greens.
Some are brownish green, some are greyish green.

I'm not going to add any other pennies or colours.
This is the rug I envisioned when I started.

Simple.

This is my first cotton backed rug. The last one was linen.
I found a reproduction feed sack and aged it with tea.
Note: some teas will leave a pinkish tone, test your tea first.
I use the cheapest brand for dyeing, don't use orange pekoe.
BUT you should try onion skins for dyeing! Check Cee's post here
The Diary of a Rug Maker - the dye pot is on
Start saving your onions skins!

I really enjoyed working with the cotton backing.

With lots of thought and discussion I think I'm going to trim it with a cotton binding.

There might be enough fabric to fold over and stitch, but I think I'm going to try binding it.

This will my first "bound" penny rug.
Cee suggested cotton binding.

These are straight edges, so I don't think I'll cut my binding on a bias.

So, onward and stay tuned for the finishing and my YouTube tutorial.

Victorian Sewing Box or Pinch Purse

2013-03-17T20:47:00.000-07:00

My Victorian sewing box, also known as a pinch purse.

Finally it's done!
I started this last year and it whiled away in a basket.

It looked so easy, well it is.
However, I fought with the thread
and the stiffness of the cardboard lining.

It just didn't look right using embroidery cotton
and I wasn't using the right needle.

I wouldn't tackle this unless you have some sewing skills.
A set of needle nose pliers or a very good fitting thimble is in order.

I found that the best way to stitch this together

was with doubled #10 crochet cotton and a #18 chenille needle.

Gosh I like chenille needles,
why was I using a darning needle?
(Because the pattern called for it.)
I used velvet fabric with a cotton lining.
The next one will be woolie!

This is the bottom, a weaving stitch is used to attach the three, pointed oval shapes, together.

It's a pattern shown in American Time Life Books - Country Crafts,
an older set of books from the 80's.
But simple enough. Use a cardboard shape for the lining.
Use the shape to draw on and cut your fabric
about 1/4" to 1/2" beyond the edge, allowing for a seam.
The cardboard is inserted between two layers of fabric and then blind stitched together.
Make sure you've trimmed the seams to 1/8" and keep the seams on the lining side.

The blanket stitch along the open edge is not necessary.
I'm just blanket stitch crazy.

Hmmmm, I think it needs woolie adornment.
I'm sure you agree.
Stayed tuned for the next installment.
There may be kits in my future.

Let's finish a rug together

2013-03-02T14:44:00.001-08:00

Remember this one? I've pulled it out to complete it.

There will be a tutorial and YouTube slides to come.

Can you see the problem I've stitched myself into?

The top row is coming too close to the end of my fabric

for a hemmed edge.

I would have to do a raw edge blanket stitch,

or machine stitch (egad) the edge.

I'm going to remove four pennies, on four rows, at both ends!

Second problem,

I'm running out of the custom dyed thread I made.

I will have to use another colour. That's okay.

An example of truly using up and making do!

This rug is a compilation of greens

on an tea dyed reproduction feed sack.

It's meant to be a make do.

On another note,
but with total regard to the love of penny mats.

Do I have any followers that would truly love to follow along

in a small group setting,

on the internet, and learn even more about penny rugs?

Email me, or leave a comment,

and we'll get you set up in our little group lead by Cee and me!

Update March 11, 2013 - we've now closed the group.
I'll let you know when we start another one.
Until then, keep watching for more woolie posts.