One effective way to sew sections of rag rugs together is by using a whip stitch, joining the loops along the edges.
Rag rugs, often made by braiding, crocheting, or knitting fabric strips, typically need to be joined to create larger pieces or assemble different sections. While several methods exist, hand sewing with a strong stitch is a common technique.
Method: Using the Whip Stitch
According to the provided reference, a straightforward hand-sewing technique involves using a whip stitch to connect the loops along the edges of your rug sections.
Here’s how the process works:
- Prepare the Rug Sections: Ensure the edges you want to join are lined up neatly. If your rag rug is made of loops (like a crocheted or knitted rug, or braided coils), these loops are where you will pass your thread.
- Choose Your Thread: Select a strong thread, yarn, or even a strip of fabric suitable for the material of your rug. It should be durable enough to withstand wear.
- Begin Stitching: Using a needle appropriate for your chosen thread and rug material, start at one end of the joint.
- Perform the Whip Stitch: The reference describes this process as "stabbing the thread through each of the loops." You will pass the needle and thread from one section through a corresponding loop on the adjacent section. The stitch then "whips over and under over and under," wrapping the thread around the edges as you move along. This action effectively pulls the two sections together, attaching the loops securely.
- Continue Along the Edge: Repeat the whip stitch along the entire length of the seam, making sure to consistently catch loops from both sides and keep the tension relatively even to create a strong, flat join.
- Secure the End: Once you reach the end of the seam, fasten off your thread securely to prevent the stitches from unraveling.
Using the whip stitch creates a strong, slightly raised seam that binds the edges together by circling around the joined loops. This method is particularly useful for connecting braided coils or sections of crocheted/knitted rag rugs where visible loops are present along the edges.
