I finished the edges of a rag rug for the kitchen last night and I love it!

Part of my journey to simplicity is slowing down and actually savoring the time it takes to prepare things by hand or wait for them to grow.  Rag rugs are also a great way to “waste not, want not” by using linens, and even clothing that we no longer need.  My challenge will be to not let things pile up for “someday”, but choose to get to work preparing and then weaving them for something useful.

The loom looks strange with no weaving on it.  Can’t let it stay that way for long

Now I need to get the warp tied back on the loom so I can create some more.  I’m actually going to make this warp more narrow so I can make placemats and smaller rugs.  I also am ready to tackle warping the four-harness LeClerc loom that has been sitting idle in my studio.  It is a bit intimidating, but I’m feeling much more confident after watching my new DVD, Beginning Four Harness Weaving , and re-reading my favorite learn-to-weave book, Learning to Weave, by Deborah Chandler.

If you want to learn how to weave (the most common looms available are four-harness), then you must get your hands on these two fabulous resources.  I have searched online for videos and found some good ones, but none that put it all together the way Deborah Chandler does.

Over the next day or two, I’m hoping to have some photos to share of the finished items from the loom, and my progress on warping the newest loom.

Union Loom No. 36 circa 1948

It had to be disassembled in order to be moved, then we had to reassemble and re-warp (thread hundreds of yard ends through to the front) the loom.  Thankfully, my dear neighbor kept the original instructions!  They also gave me all of the shuttles, two tubs of rags, and other accessories.  There are yards and yards of cotton warp already on the loom – enough to make several rugs.  I feel so blessed!

Both of my sons have helped with assembling the loom, helping me figure out issues, and more.  My oldest is very mechanically inclined, so he gets called on often to help me figure things out.  I’ve had some issues that have caused me to have to rewarp at least part of the loom, twice.  However, each time I cross a hurdle, I find that I’ve learned more about the loom.  There is a weavers guild in my area, and I’m praying there will be ladies there who will be able to mentor me in my new craft!

I’ve done some weaving, creating a small mat (I had to cut what was to be a 3 foot rug off the loom due to a broken warp thread).  It’s not the prettiest thing, but I did get to try my hand at “finishing” the edge by tying fringes.

Rag mat woven on floor loom.

After fixing the broken thread, I decided to try weaving with 100% cotton yarn as my weft.  I like using the yarn – it is quicker than weaving with rags.  It is also giving me practice having the correct tension on the edges.  I think this will be a functional kitchen towel once it is removed and the ends hemmed.

Cotton Towel on Loom

As you can imagine, I am really enjoying playing with my new “toy”   I know that the skills I am learning will move us closer to our goal of living a simpler life.  I’m also finding that making my own items, whether soap, rugs, fabric, salves, etc., allows me to bless others with gifts that they need, while saving money because I make them myself.

It is hard to explain the peace I have these days – even in the midst of discouraging news regarding my husband’s ending the first week of June.  I guess it all goes back to living a life of faith and deliberately choosing to live a more purposeful lifestyle.

Choosing to be home, and be productive at home, has allowed me to save money and fix more meals from scratch.  Keeping busy, working with my hands, has definitely given me more time to meditate and pray.  As I look over the past several years and see my Father’s amazing provision for us, over and over again, I can’t help but praise Him and trust that He has everything under control!