The Braided Rug Page 5

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Be careful when rounding the ends of the oval not to full the braid too much nor to hold it too tightly. If the braid is fulled, the finished rug will ripple on the edges. If on the other hand it is held in too much in the over-handing, the rug will buckle in the center.

The worker will notice that the sides of the oval are as yet very straight. They will begin to curve out as more rows are added.
These first seven rows form the center of the rug; when they are completed set aside the blue braid.
When starting a braid of different color add it to that already sewed at the curved end of the oval, rather than along its straight side.

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Always begin the rows that are to be continued, on the same side of the rug, as will be seen on examination of the accompanying illustration. If some of the braid leaves a loose remainder at the place for adding a different color, cut it off but do not cut it straight across: unbraid it a bit and then cut the three strands off separately, each at a different point. Sew the ends of the strands of the new braid to these ends. Likewise when adding more strands of the same color or in introducing new colors to lengthen the braid, over-hand these new pieces to the ends of the already braided strand. Let the seams come on the in-side of the folded strand where the raw edges will not show.

In braiding the strands it will be found that the ends do not come out evenly. This is because the worker pulls more on one than on the others. There is no objection to this, however, for the seams in the strands must not all come at one point. If they all came together, the braid would bulge and be clumsy at that point. This is the reason for cutting the strands at different points when it is necessary to cut them at all. Sometimes of course a length of braid just finishes the required number of rows, but if it does not, be sure to save all the clipped-off ends of the strands. One may need even the smallest piece to finish up a row of some desired color.

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The Craft Of Handmade Rugs - View The Rest Of The Book

Introduction - Some Old Time Rugs  - A Word About Dyes - The Scalloped Doormat Or Tongue Rug
The Knitted Rug - The Crocheted Rug - The Hooked Rug In Cotton And Wool - The Needle-Woven Rug
The Colonial Rag Rug - Some Applications - Newer Methods Of Stencil Making - The Tufted Counterpane
Old Time Lights - The Batik Or Wax Resist Process