My latest project - weaving a rag rug
 I'm a nurse. Did hospital nursing in ortho/neuro/trauma for 20 years. About 10 yrs ago I started doing homecare nursing as well. I did half time at both jobs..... 2 yrs ago I had burnout from 12 hr nights and the pace and the staffing and politics at the hospital - so I swapped and went to homecare fulltime. My current client is on a vent most of the time. So, we can't do anything that makes noise - in case he needs help. So, no phones, TV, music, etc. We can be on our laptops (muted) - so I LIVE here when I'm at work - 7am-7pm.  I do my knitting, pay bills, email, read books, etc. in my free time. My client's wife got a rug weaving loom for the nurses - and the night staff primarily did it. I asked to get instructed too - and I just made my 1st rug! This one is for me - it's going in my kitchen. Sally (wife of my client) also donated one of the done ones to our basset rescue's spring fundraiser later this month. The rugs are made on a loom that is 2' x 3', and made of fabric strips. We use old sheets, purchased from the area thrift stores. Each rug has 4-5 sheets in it and they are thick and heavy - and really pretty! Here's the warp on and weaving the strips started -  Some of the fabric strips -  And here is the progress - I made up the pattern as I went. You start at both ends, and work to the middle -      and the finished project, still on the loom -  Sally asked that I leave it on the loom and on display for this weekend. I'm at work now, and they are hosting Easter and a house full...and I'm in the corner w/ my computer.....  |
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| W O W !!! That's lovely Dawn!  I really like the colors...my complaint about rag rugs is usually the drab colors, but this one looks so fresh and contemporary!I was tempted by a class on this I saw...maybe I'll give it a shot! |
WOW!!! Very nice, when can you take with  |
| Thanks Laurel - I love the colors too. I have pictures of several of the other rugs made here, and they are all a variety. The loom and book are nice - here's the info.... The book that came w/ the loom "Rugs from Rags" by Country Threads. http://www.countrythreads.com and 641-923-3893 in Iowa The back of the book has instructions to make the loom, and they sell them as a kit too. |
bestdogs wrote: WOW!!! Very nice, when can you take with Holly I'm going to take it when I go home tonight - I will go home and take it with.  |
| It is beautiful, how long did it take to complete? |
bestdogs wrote: It is beautiful, how long did it take to complete? I'm not sure. I worked on it only at work, and randomly in bits. I started the rug Feb 26th, and finished it yesterday. But I only had about 30 minutes worth to finish in the last week! And some days I never touched it... |
| Very cool. I also like the colors. |
SheepieMommy wrote: Very cool. I also like the colors. Thanks! I made it to match my kitchen - green and white with my cobalt blue glass in the windows. Here are some pictures of other rugs already done by the other nurses: This is the 1st one - and made of primarily kid's Pocohontas sheets!  and a few others:    and this is the one donated to our basset rescue's fundraiser in 2 weeks:  I just love them all. Hard to believe these are made from old bed sheets I can't wait to start the next one! |
| Wow I love the rugs and amazing that they're old sheets! I've only ever hooked a rug, that method looks really interesting. |
 WOW!!! Great work, Dawn. I love all the rugs ! |
| Really nice. And great that you got to take it with - sort of an Easter present |
| I love the colors and how cool that looks!! So talented. |
| These are really cool! Makes me want a loom! |
| Cool.... is it possible to weave in a pattern that would end up showing an oes for example? |
| They're beautiful, Dawn |
| It is really pretty, and the patient's wife is wonderful to provide you with a quiet activity that you can enjoy while meeting the patient's need for quiet. |
Willowsprite wrote: Cool.... is it possible to weave in a pattern that would end up showing an oes for example? Sort of. You add pieces of cloth by notching and looping them through each other, so it makes a bump. So everytime you switched colors to the dog/background, it would make a lump. It maybe would still work, as it would outline the dog's body. Also, you start at both ends, and work toward the middle, so it might get a bit tricky getting it all to line up. Probably would be best to have two - one on each end! Now you have me thinking.....  |
| I have the frame and have made a few rugs but I'm curious about the stand in your photos. Can you post more pics of the stand so hubby and I can figure out how to make one? Great job on your rugs. Thanks, JoAnne |
| I don't know if I have mentioned that I provide care for my mom. Along with that has been several home health care aides and nurses. My mom has cancer and the way I saw it, she provided care for me for shhhh 30 something years while I was growing up so I had no problem doing it for her! Haha! I also wanted her to feel as comfortable as possible and be near myself and children as much as possible. Anyway, in home care can be tricky.... I decided the aides weren't my cup of tea and went through 3 companies until I found 2 nurses at one company that I can't live without! One a man and one a woman. These two people are now a part of my family! I hope you have been told how amazing you are and I hope you feel in your heart and know what a huge difference you make to an entire family! Obviously you are appreciated. The rugs are stunning - What a wonderful thing to have and to share. Obviously well put together, washable and functional. I'm kinda jealous. I stink at making cool stuff! |
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