Rag Rugging with Pinking Shears

Throughout my rag rugging years, I’ve experimented with sooo many different fabrics to give texture to my designs. However, recently I’ve been mulling over how I can create texture in different ways. I’ve met a few rag ruggers who have tried using pinking shears to add a different look and feel to their designs (Janice …

Our Winter Warmer Cosy Rag Rug

The Story Behind the Rag Rug: As with many crafters, I’m heavily influenced by the seasons and weather. When it’s warm and sunny outside (like Summer 2018, which was a scorcher), my designs tend to be light, bright and fresh. Whereas, in winter, my rag rugs are much more likely to be thick, lush and …

Our New Ragged Life Company Rag Rug

As some of you already know, I teach and exhibit at some of the largest craft fairs across the country. I’m an expert tutor at the Knitting and Stitching Shows and Living Crafts Fairs, for example. A lot of work goes into getting prepared for these shows, particularly if you’re a perfectionist like I am. Whenever …

My Mum’s Sari Silk Rag Rug

As many of you know, I was taught how to rag rug by my darling mum, Victoria. She still makes beautiful rag rugs (you can see another one of her other creations here) and is a colour-lover like myself. Below is her latest gorgeous creation and, as usual, she has outdone herself. If you like the rug, …

Cream Rag Rug Commission

Anyone who knows me, knows that I’m an unapologetic lover of colour. In shops, I immediately make a beeline for bright things (like a moth to the flame) and my home and studio couldn’t be further from monochrome (just look at my flat). Although I love designing and making colourful rag rugs, personally some of my …

My Mum’s Latest Beautiful Rag Rug

You may have seen a sneak peek of this beautiful rag rug over on the Ragged Life Instagram or Facebook page, but finally you get to see it in all its gloriously quirky glory. Below is the story of how this Sicilian Rag Rug came about (as told by my mum, Victoria) and plenty of …

A Social History of Rag Rugging

A Social History of Rag Rugging: In my line of work, I’ve spoken to thousands of people about the history of rag rugging, and what has really struck me from all these encounters is the feelings that the craft evokes. Some of us remember relatives making rag rugs, others were forced to cut up the fabric against their …

My Pacific Island Rag Rug

Last Christmas I was lucky enough to spend two whole weeks in the closest place to paradise I’ve ever been – Aitutaki in the Pacific Islands (you can see a few photos I took here). When I returned home I vowed that I would create a pacific island rag rug or two based on the beautiful landscapes I …

Ragged Life Students’ Rag Rug Designs

Since 2017, I have been featuring former students’ rag rug designs in a Student Spotlight section of my fortnightly Rag Rug Inspiration Newsletter (which you can sign up to here if you’d like). It seemed a shame that these photos disappeared into the ether once they’d been sent out so I thought I would compile …

How to Clean a Rag Rug – Dos & Don’ts

In case you are new to the Ragged Life Blog, I’m Elspeth Jackson, author of Rag Rugs, Pillows & More… hello! I may be relatively young for a rag rugger, but over the fifteen years I’ve been rag rugging, I’ve made hundreds of upcycled rag rug creations, ranging from rugs and cushions to draft excluders …