Introduction

The general interest in handicraft which the Arts and Crafts Movement has revived certain old-time industries some of which have been successfully adapted to modem standards of taste. Coming from a background of pioneer and Colonial activity, they first attract us because of their traditional and historical associations, for truly there is nothing new under the sun, though real interest may be awakened when a familiar object puts on a new dress. Our great- grandmothers and our grandmothers have handed down to us these simple crafts, and a revival of them under newer ideals should call out widespread attention from our countrywomen and prove a valuable addition to modem home- making.

These crafts should appeal to the amateur because they require only simple materials and equipment. The left over's and cast-offs of a household will often prove an ample supply. The tools are also of the simplest make.

In the farmhouses all over the country there are examples of handmade and homemade furnishings, some of which have a certain attractive quaintness, but most of which fail from lack of careful planning in color and design. The examples of really old Colonial craftsman- ship, on the contrary, were almost always good in color and design. Perhaps because our great- grandmothers had in their homes the beautiful furniture of Chippendale, Heppelwhite and Sheraton and the purity of these styles maintained a standard of good taste in that period. In later periods, especially in the two decades before the Civil War there seems to have been a degeneration in these matters, and the finer examples of furniture were replaced by laboriously carved rosewood and black walnut pieces. These are as familiar to us as are their attendant evils, body-brussels carpet of conspicuous scroll pattern and Dresden china figures of complicated workmanship without design.

See our Crocheted Rag Rug Kits that we have for sale!

While it is difficult to explain this loss of critical sense it is perfectly clear that the handicraft of Colonial days was successful be- cause it came through the needs of the Colonial pioneers. These examples of handicraft they made for their own use and to please them- selves. As William Morris has expressed it, They were made to please the worker/' Consequently they were made with real joy and became beautiful as an expression of joy. It is my purpose in this book to use these old-time methods of handicraft, to revive and refresh them by careful planning in color and design and to add to them the art feeling of our own times.

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

Some Old Time Rugs - A Word About Dyes - The Braided Rug  - 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