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Wool rugs offer a home warmth, in more than one way. In a practical manner, wool area rugs will keep toes warm. By adding a homemade touch, wool rugs warm the heart, as well. They make the home cozy and welcoming.
It is often said that necessity is the mother of invention. This statement is true for the humble beginnings of braided area rugs. Early American settlers needed floor coverings for their homes. Braiding was an easy way to use materials that were readily available the common person. Old coats, pants, suits, blankets and other rags were turned into braided rugs. The most prized rug-making rags were made of wool.
To make a braided rug, rags were cut into strips. The width of the strips depended upon the thickness of the fabric. After the strips were folded to prevent the raw edges from showing, the strips were attached to each other. Three such strips were then joined to begin the braid. A traditional braid was then created. Carefully the rug maker would coil the braid around itself, joining the coils with heavy thread or string. If the coils were joined too tightly, the rug could not stay flat, and the rug had to be taken apart and rejoined.
One of the big advantages of wool area rugs is that they last for a very long time and require minimal care. They are best cleaned by taking them outside for a vigorous shaking or if you prefer they can be carefully vacuumed. One thing to keep in mind is that rug beaters are best avoided, as they may snag the wool and pull the fabric. If stained, spot cleaning is the best cleaning alternative although dry cleaning is also an option if your rug needs some serious attention.
Today’s braided rugs can also be made from old woolens with thrift stores and garage sales being fantastic sources of fabric. Creating a functional, beautiful craft for the home is certainly rewarding, but doing so with items headed for the garbage is even more fun.