This two-day workshop, Intro to Braided-In Rug Making: Basics and Beyond, covers the basics to get you making your very own rug in any shape using strips of old bedsheets and fabric. An old American technique, this craft is incredibly accessible using only fabric and scissors. The 5-strand braided-in process is like a simple combination of weaving and crochet, and is similar to basketry as well. This class teaches circular rugs, custom shapes, and intro to color work. Students may also venture into sculptural forms if desired.
A simple combination of crochet on the round and weaving without a loom, similar to basket making techniques, this process is great for seasoned fiber artists and beginners alike. A speedy and clever craft, it requires no sewing and no hook or needle – only fabric, hands and scissors! While nearly any fabric can be used (stretch/non stretch, woven, knit) the recommended fabric to begin with is plain woven cotton (any print/color) or bedsheets in large pieces, from which we will create long strips. Pre-cut strips you may have, old t shirts, and clothes that can be easily deconstructed work well too! The workshop will provide you the space and structure to create a small circular flat rug that you can continue working on at home, as well as instruction for creating color work patterns, abstract shapes, and sculptural forms for those interested!
Dates:
May 2 & 9, 2025
10am – 3pm
Materials needed:
– plain cotton such as bedsheets is best for ripping strips, though basically all kinds of fabric can be used. Many colors/patterns of fabric is best to create unique designs and to keep track of weaving patterns.
– scissors
About the teacher:
Russle (any pronouns) is a fiber artist, teacher, and folk musician based in Philadelphia. Russle specializes in recycled materials, improvisational art processes, and projects that center playful collaboration and embodiment. Her fiber disciplines include sewing, fashion design, upcycling, weaving, loom making, rug braiding, recycled fiber arts using plastics and other unconventional materials, fabric painting, fiber poetry, pillows, basketry, darning, and crochet. Russle teaches fibers to kids and adults at schools in Philadelphia such as Salamander Arts, University City Arts League, and Spiral Q Puppet Theater. Russle has also worked with Mural Arts/Trash Academy on grant-funded Climate Justice projects using recycled fiber arts, and has presented that work at the University of Pennsylvania. Russle‘s fashion collection Dapper in Detritus: a Love Letter to Plarn Ecologies was shown at New York Fashion Week in 2023.
