Sunday, August 29, 2010

Rug Wrestling

I reached the point yesterday where I could finally call an end to this project. I had sliced up 15 pairs of jeans to get to this point. I struggled to get enough tension on this rug, something I hadn't experienced with the rag rugs. Denim is another medium.
I unrolled this unwieldy monster. It was so difficult to manage from here on out and hemming it was a an ordeal. Weaving with denim is not the same as weaving with cotton - I know they're both cotton. You know what I mean.
Buster and Charlie had to give their stamp of approval. I washed it first and the lint was so serious that I know I can't wash it again. Part of the problem is that I couldn't get the tension this rug needed with my jack loom. It's the first time I realized the limitations of a rising shed loom. Yes. You do need a sinking shed loom to weave rugs. I want one but don't have room or money for one. That's that. I didn't like working with denim anyway, so there.


We celebrated Alexia's 6th birthday today.

11 comments:

Michelle said...

Well, I hope you enjoy using it for many years anyway! Alexia is such a little princess (and I mean that in the nicest way :-)

Marion B. said...

I think you had more fun celebrating Alexia's birthday than finishing your yeans rug. But it looks great ( both the rug and Alexia hihi) You did a good job.

Annie said...

Your birthday girl looks very happy - a sixth birthday is so important!
You'll have to go to Scandinavia to wash your rug: there are places everywhere, on riversides, where you can wash rugs, and many people do that early in summer, on a nice day. Often they keep the clean rugs to put on the floor for Christmas (at least we were told that, when we were there last year).

Theresa said...

Well, you just know I'm going to tell you to sell one loom and look for a second CB or CM...;) You know that right? The rug looks great though.
What a fun birthday princess! Love the cupcake tiers.
I bet Alexia did too.

LA said...

Alexia is a beautiful birthday girl! I know that was fun. Your rug looks great, and I think you'll enjoy using it. Just think...it will last for a LONG time!!!!

Valerie said...

yeah...denim rag rugs are like that. However, it will last forever...and you will wash it again sometime. Maybe at the laudromat tho', to save on your own washing machine.

Cute birthday pictures. My nephew and his bride had cupcake tiers instead of wedding cake. I'm still not "getting" the cupcake craze. My son says it's because his is the last generation of moms who brought cupcakes to school for b'days. (Parents are not allowed to bring stuff in anymore because of food allergies etc.)

Jody said...

I bet that denim rug will be very durable...it's wonderful!
What a great idea for a little girl's birthday cake! I have 4 gorgeous great neices to make one of those for :-)

~~Sittin.n.Spinnin said...

Missed you yesterday! I'm home. again. lol It was a great weekend, I really enjoy seeing all of you and spending some time.

Anonymous said...

That is one beautiful, large rug!

Purple Fuzzy Mittens said...

Darn! I was hoping you would love weaving denim so much that I could commission one from you! (Wouldn't a blue denim runner look great in my orange hall?) ;-)

Judy said...

What a nice photo of your two buddies checking out your rug! I can see why Alexia had such a great smile on her face with a cupcake tower like that!