11/06/2024
Long Read but Worth it to Activate those Core memories from childhood and some bring some holiday happiness. 💕
It’ssssss Tiiiiiiiiiiiime! I have been receiving an overwhelming amount of messages this year to see if I will be making rag rugs around the holiday season. I make them all year long but people love to buy them this time of year for gifts for someone special in their lives or for themselves. These rugs seem to activate those Core Memories of comfort of being at grandma’s house or your childhood home during the holidays. For me, I love to have them in my house all year long for that very reason. They offer a sense of comfort and happiness from those simple times that I can hold near and dear in today’s world by keeping them around my home.
If you are looking for a comfortable welcoming feel in your house, a way to activate those Core memories from our childhood, then a rag rug would be the right addition to your home decor. Rag rugs have a rich, deep rooted history. Learning this deeply rooted history behind these amazing rugs will make you appreciate them a little more.
Many people feel that these rugs came into origin in the Colonial days, from when settlers first came to America. It was in fact the Native American rug weaving techniques that really started this rug design. The Native American weaving technique was used to make heavy saddle blankets for horses as well as ponchos and ceremonial rugs often used in "powwows". Because of these colorful displays, the original settlers found a way to create their own type of rugs for their new homes. That is how rag rugs were first created.
Rag rugs began to pop up in the new American colonies.
Women settlers made use of the scraps of material left over from sewing projects to create these beautiful masterpieces. Strips of wool, cotton and burlap were often the fabrics incorporated into a rug design. There were several ways to create these rugs. Plaiting the strips of material together was the most popular technique. Once a number of strips were plaited, they were then stitched together to create them.
While the men were out farming, hunting and building new structures, the women would tailor new clothes and craft new rugs. The women would then pass their rug-making skills down to their daughters, leaving a lasting tradition for others to follow. These rugs became a staple accessory in the homes of American colonists. Not only were they being used in homes, but these rugs were also found in churches, city halls, markets and other places. The most common of rugs is are the rectangle and oval shaped ones. However, these can be in almost any shape or form including squares, circles and rectangles. The only limitation to these rugs is the creativity of the hand crafter.
Rag rugs are still made by hand today by crafters like myself, and these stunningly beautiful and equally versatile home accessories are now used by millions of families throughout the world.
I personally started crafting them when I inherited a loom. It was a beautiful family heirloom in my home but I wanted it to do more than sit there and look gorgeous as a decoration at our family farm, I wanted to actually learn to use it. I went to my my grandmother and asked her to teach me this skill that I could pass down for many more generations. My grandmother took her arthritic hands and taught me to use her loom, a skill that I will cherish forever.
The idea of up cycling materials has always fascinated to me. I have incorporated it into many things in my life and to know that each one of these rugs is made from thoughtfully saved materials to make these beautiful new creations, makes me love them even more. I love the feeling of knowing I did my tiny part into saving the planet. I could remember by grandmother cutting strips of fabric every night for hours on end and making her “rag balls” I still have some that she made and I cherish them.
I make two types of rugs. I make rag rugs on a loom and I make braided rag rugs of braided material stitched to itself-these are the oval and round ones.
All Rooted Rugs are made of 100% upcycled materials that are hand selected and saved by me. I work hard to create a sustainable product that supports a healthy, happy space for decorating, learning, growing, meditating and even prayer.
The rugs I make are not only make beautiful home decor but a safe space for time out, homework, exercise, meditation and prayer. Made with love and beautiful energy and thoughtful intentions;They are a safe space for so many different activities and with their sustainability, they can be passed down in your family for generations.
I am going to start off the 2024 Holiday Season by selling 2ftx3ft rectangular shaped rugs and I will be posting up different shapes and sizes as they become available. I will also be adding some blankets this year as well.
I currently have 10 rugs up for grabs! These 2ftx3ft Locally handmade rugs are $25 each.
Send me a message or comment below to purchase one. I take Venmo or Cash. Corydon pickup or I can ship for a flat rate. Colors Vary with each rug!
