What Is A Penny Rug Used For

They were named penny rugs as they were made of three different sized circular medallions layered on top of each other.

What is a penny rug used for.

Surprisingly these rugs weren t really rugs at all but were used as table runners wall hangings or even quilts. In the 1800s starting around the time of the civil war thrifty homemakers would use scraps of wool or felted wool from old clothing blankets and hats to create designs for mats or rugs using coins as templates they created circles and each piece was then stitched in blanket stitch fashion. Although people call it a rug a penny rug was never intended to be walked on and was a decorative piece used as a wall hanging a table cover or a lap robe. Most penny rugs were made using wool and felted wool.

Materials to use in making your penny rug. Do you want this to be the ultimate rug or are you new to penny rugs and want to keep it simple choose this method. Although felt was handcrafted in years gone by we are blessed to be able to buy felt by the square usually a 12x12 square or by the yard in most craft fabric stores. I have not lined this rug but i will be sharing photos of rugs i have for sale.

The thread used for blanket stitches is twisted 2 ply cotton embroidery floss with a blunt sharp needle. It regained popularity in america during the civil war in the mid 1800s. The scraps were mostly from men s suits or high quality blankets. A penny rug is a decoration made of stitched together coin shaped fabric scraps.

Favorite add to 50 2 inch wool penny rug circles mixed with primitives and plaids. Use wool felt commonly sold in 12 by 12 inch squares in the colors of your choice. The top medallion was the size of a penny though in the 1800 s. They have linings and are meant for table tops.

Moondance penny rug kit wool felt craft kit wool felt applique penny rug kit candle mat kit dragonfly embroidery kit wool applique oneoftheflock. Penny rugs date back the 1800s. Housewives saved scraps of wool and felt from worn out clothing to make these delightful penny rugs. Each circular piece was sewn onto thick wool.

You will need paper patterns as a cutting guide for every shape in your penny rug a sharpie marker and sharp scissors. Making a penny rug is an american technique that dates back to the colonial times in the 17th century. 5 out of 5 stars 8 789 8 789 reviews 28 50. Do not use pinking shears.

The penny rug was an economical way of using the leftover pieces of fabric that were too small to braid or hook.