| ================= Necktie Rugs ================= Interesting rugs can be made weaving neckties. (I weave) Necktie Fringe on the selvage sides. Make the warp narrower than the ties are long. (5-7 inches narrower than the ties are long. Alternate a necktie with a shot or two of tabby (use your warp thread for this tabby yarn). Place the first tie in the shed with the wide end on the right side - let the end of the tie stick out a few inches. One or two shots of tabby. Place the second tie in the shed with the wide end on the left side. 2 1/2 to 3 inches from the selvage one or two strings can be tied from the front beam to the back beam - through the reed (not through a heddle). These strings are a guide, so you know how long to leave the neckties sticking out on each side for fringe. Or you can just eyeball the amount to leave sticking out. Susan Snover --------------------------------- About 15 years ago the elderly man (who eventually willed me his Union 36) insisted I make a rug for myself in trade for the time I spent helping him find threads he could no longer see. I had a bag of ties and made my first rug from them. It is still in our upstairs holding its own very well. I used 12 epi, now I would change to 6 doubles, as they slid toward each other and clumped anyway. I didn't cut the ties or stitch them together- simply laid them in next to each other. To avoid huge lumps where they overlapped, when it was the wide end of the tie, I pulled it up through the warp a couple of inches. When they ended near the selvedge, I let them hang out past the edge a couple inches. It is kind of classy in its own way, with lovely textures and patterns showing off where the ends protrude. I did use a fringe for the ends, now I would probably turn and make hems, just to keep the focus on the tie ends. I vacuum it at a 45' and shake it and air it, but have never tried to wash it. It's a very thick rug- about 3/4 to 1" after three kids treading it on their way downstairs... Hope you are inspired to have fun... Leigh --------------------------------- |
 |
 |
| (Interesting rugs can be made weaving neckties.) |
| (It is kind of classy in its own way, with lovely textures and patterns .....) |