rag rugging

'' rag rug methods were brought to the shores of North America with immigrants to the new world. With some rugs, they were made only in particular regions of the country or only by certain ethnic groups. As settlement of the frontiers pushed westward in the 1900's, the rug making traditions were dispersed, and sometimes modified to take advantage of the local availability of materials. During this period, it appears that creative pioneers may have created new techniques for making rugs as well. Different techniques flourished in different sections of the country, with the various woolen rugs becoming well established in New England because of the proximity of the woolen mills. It was not until the railroads provided cheap transportation though, that wool and cotton fabrics produced on the east coast were available for most rug making in other areas. Prior to that, indeed the rugs were mostly produced by recycling worn clothing or other textiles.
From about 1890 to 1910, rag rugs experienced a period of popularity, influenced by the "Arts and Crafts" movement. Designs became more elaborate, and many types of rugs were widely made. With the coming of World War I and the "Roaring Twenties", interest in traditional rug making waned, to the point where many rug making traditions were forgotten (see letters at end). During the Depression of the 1930's interest in rag rug making gained again, but the techniques used were by that time pretty much limited to hooked, 3-strand braided, loom woven and crocheted rugs, and the emphasis on the practical aspects of the rugs over rode most of the artistic developments earlier in the century. ''

i didnt particularly enjoy this technique but after seeing what can be created by using it has made me consider otherwise. i cant find the artist that created this piece of work but really like the engery in it, although it isnt true rag rugging and is a printed on acrylic i like how theyve developed the technique to take it away from the more traditional 'granny' looking rag rugging.