Rag rugs remains have been found in old Celtic and Viking homes and the making of rugs from rags is still practiced in Yorkshire. As the pictures imply there have been style changes as the availability of rag material has changed (some might argue improved). This is a new world of Proddies, Poggies, Clippies or Latch Hooks some of the tools of the trade to push the rags through the hessian. The process is now a little more complex as the rugs have become art objects often used as wall hangings or decorations.
Rag rugs are sometimes called Tab Rugs, Peg Rugs and Clootie Basses. Here in West Yorkshire the popularity of groups where people to get together to mat ‘n’ chat is growing. “It’s a nice communal thing to do, to sit with your rug.’ According to Jenny Salton, Museums Officer at Tolson museum Huddersfield.
Louisa Creed and her husband from York are also exponents of the revived craft though Louisa has been making rugs for over 20 years. Louisa Creed’s work is highly valued and respected on both sides of the Atlantic, rugs can sell for upwards of £1200, better than your average Rag and Boneman prices. She has her own web site and has a selling exhibitions at The Treasurer’s House, York until Thursday 2 April 2009 by The Ebor Ruggers,including rugs by Louisa and Lewis Creed. Then look out for Exhibition and Workshop at Scampston Hall 28 April - 21 June 2009
with a workshop on 5 May 2009. www.scampston.co.uk
Making Rag Rugs: 15 Step-by-Step Projects by Clare Hubbard £47.95
Rug Hooking for the First Time by Donna Lovelady£6.99
See also Quilting
These two lovely rugs are made by Linda Murray, who is a member of the West Riding Ruggers, who meet at Bradford industrial Museum. In November 2009 we have an exhibition at Tolson Museum in Huddersfield. Please see their web page for details. Penny
Comment by Penny Godfrey — September 6, 2009 @ 1:34 pm
Seeing these pictures of the rag rugs,reminded me of my childhood in Dewsbury where my Great grandmother and my grandmother were both rag sorters and they made rag rugs that were all over their homes as a child I well remember helping to hang them on the line in the back yard and beating them with a large cain beater just a memory of rag rugs Syd
Comment by Syd Gardner — January 22, 2010 @ 10:44 am
[...] and Albert museum has its own blog with good photographs. Quaker Tapestry museum Kendal Rag Rugs and Ragging in [...]
Pingback by Quilts, Quilting & Quilters | Yorkshire - God's Own County — February 16, 2010 @ 10:32 am
Hi . I have several old rag rugs circ 1900 . I am finding it hard to find the value of them . Could you give me any info on books , sites etc . Thank you . J .
Comment by Jude — February 24, 2010 @ 10:09 am
I would ask your local auction house if they have any interest in, or can give a valuation on your collection.
Good Luck
Comment by brian — February 27, 2010 @ 4:36 am