Why I Weave Handwoven Rag Rugs: The Story Behind Raggity Rug Design
Rag rugs have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up watching my grandfather weave practical, beautiful rugs from strips of old fabric, and I learned early that worn clothing and household textiles didn’t have to be thrown away. They could be given a new purpose. Today, that same idea is at the heart of Raggity Rug Design, where I create handwoven rag rugs from textiles that often carry memories, history, and meaning.
A Family Tradition of Rag Rug Weaving
My connection to rag rug weaving began long before I ever sat down at a loom myself. As a child, I watched my grandfather weave rugs for our home while my mom prepared the fabric strips he would use. I can still remember seeing old clothing and other textiles transformed into something useful and beautiful. Those early memories stayed with me, and over time, weaving became part of my own story too.
From Family Tradition to My Own Loom
As I grew older, I began weaving rugs myself, carrying forward the same practical, resourceful approach I had watched in my family. Over the years, weaving became more than a useful skill. It became a way for me to preserve stories, honor the people connected to the textiles, and create something lasting from materials that might otherwise be forgotten. That idea eventually became the foundation or Raggity Rug Design.
Giving Meaningful Textiles a New Life
Some textiles are hard to let go of because they carry memories with them. A favorite shirt, a parent’s clothing, a grandparent’s fabric, or even pieces connected to a wedding can hold a story that feels too important to simply tuck away in a box. By weaving those textiles into a rug, I can help give them a new purpose while keeping part of their history visible and useful in everyday life.
More Than a Rug — A Piece of Family History
A handwoven rug made from meaningful clothing is more than something to place on the floor. It becomes a tangible reminder of the people, places, and moments connected to the fabric. Every strip carries part of a story, and when those pieces are woven together, they become something new without losing where they came from.
Carrying the Tradition Forward
Today, every rug I weave is connected in some way to that tradition I grew up with: using what we already have, making something by hand, and creating pieces meant to last. Whether I’m weaving with everyday textiles or clothing filled with family memories, my hope is that each rug feels useful, meaningful, and worthy of becoming part of someone else’s story.