Fiber Art

Turning Textiles into Art: Making Rag Rugs

Help the environment while learning a fun and creative new fiber art—rag rug making. In the past when textiles were rare or very expensive, worn-out clothing, linens, and bedcovers were often cut into strips and repurposed into functional rag rugs. Today, clothing and other textiles are more affordable and abundant than ever, making it easy for unwanted items to be discarded. In fact, approximately 85% of clothing and other textiles end up in landfills. Rag rug making has evolved from a practical necessity into a creative fiber art celebrated for its zero-waste approach and sustainable use of materials.

In this hands-on class, you’ll learn two traditional rag rug construction techniques: crocheting and braiding. You’ll create a small sample using each technique, then choose your favorite method to create a larger piece. Come discover how something old can become something beautiful—and keep textiles out of the landfill in the process!

Students will need approximately 2 large bedsheets or 10-15 t-shirts they hope to recycle into rugs for the class, along with a size X crochet needle.