Snug as a Bug in a Braided Rug
(Page 3 of 4)
November/December 1971
by Miriam Fraier Korshak
BEGINNING THE BRAID
RELATED CONTENT
Select three light colored balls for the braid that will be the center of the rug. Fold the top (loose) end of each strand in to eliminate raw edges and hand sew if necessary. Then pin and sew the ends together, with the outer strands fanning away from the center one. Start to braid.
Although the technique of braiding is generally familiar, one rule should be observed when making rug braids: since each strand is composed of four layers of cloth, the strips should be straightened and turned over (not pulled around, as in braiding hair) the center strand to insure the flat weave desired for a braided rug (Figure 5).
Continue braiding until one of the balls is finished, then attach the end of a new ball in the same manner in which the strips were first joined. At this point you're ready to start lacing the rug together before braiding further.
GAUGING SIZE
Braided rugs can be round, oval, square or elliptical, but for most purposes the oval shape is most functional and adaptable.
In starting an oval rug, the center braid is of utmost importance due to an immutable law of rug making: THE LENGTH OF THE CENTER BRAID IS ALWAYS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WIDTH AND LENGTH OF THE FINISHED RUG.
For example, if the floor covering is to be 5' X 7', the center braid will be 2' long. This rule holds no matter how large or small the rug.
LACING THE RUG
The life span of a braided rug depends largely on its lacing, so begin by using strong thread. If you're a string saver, fine . . . because heavy kite or parcel twine is usually satisfactory.
For this lacing, you'll need either a darning needle, a bodkin or a curved carpet needle with an eye large enough to take the thread being used. A big safety pin or a bobby pin will also work in a pinch.
Thread the needle (but do not knot the end of the thread) and measure off the length of completed braid needed for the rug you plan. Then form a gentle, flat "U" turn in the braid and extend an equal length back to the starting point (if your rug is to have a two foot long center, you'll need four feet of braid to make the double middle section).
Slip the needle through a single loop in the bend of the "U" and knot the thread. Now draw the thread first through a loop on the inside of the right leg of the "U" and then through a loop on the inside of the left leg. Continue lacing the two braids together right down to the spot where the three strands of the braid were first joined. Curve the continuing braid around this starting point and, using the same technique, lace it to the edge of the double central braid which it touches (Figure 6).
Keep right on braiding and lacing in this manner until you either run out of strips or finish the rug to the size you want. That is, braid to the end of a ball, lace the new length into the growing rug, add the next ball and braid on.
