Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Make Do and Mend


During WWII, one of the many slogans seen on posters and in brochures was “Make Do and Mend.” Making rag rugs (also called peggy or proddy rugs) was a way to do this. These type rugs are often confused with latchhook rugs that can be purchased as kits from many hobby and craft shops.

Latch hooking uses a hinged hook (a bit like a crochet hook with a short hinge piece on the shank) to form a knotted shaggy pile from short, pre-cut pieces of yarn on backing material that is stiffer and has larger holes than used in traditional rug hooking. Latch hooking emerged as a craft long after rug hooking was well-established. Latch hooked rugs are also generally “shaggy” and appear like the shag pile carpets popular during the 1970s.

Proddy rugs use fabric, and the backing material is typically linen or burlap or other open weave fabric. The hooking material is cut into strips and pushed through the fabric from the back with a blunt pointed tool, called a prodder, an implement that resembles a short knitting needle with a ball handle. By working from the back, the rug maker can easily see and manage the design.

During WWII, rug makers often used burlap grain or feedbags for the backing fabric and whatever was available – leftover scraps from worn out clothing, towels, blankets or other fabric household items – for the hooking material. The size of the rug depended on the amount of material at hand. Despite the utilitarian aspect of these rugs, the variety of fabric used allowed the rug maker to create a beautiful work of art.


As someone who is “craft impaired” I find the idea of these rugs fascinating and seemingly easy to do. I may just give it a try. Have you ever “prodded” a rug? Or perhaps you have a make do and mend story...




A freelance writer for over ten years, Linda Matchett also writes historical fiction. She is currently seeking a publisher for her series about war correspondent Ruth Brown. Visit her at www.lindashentonmatchett.com

12 comments:

  1. When I read a historical novel or a post like this pertaining to WWII, it always stops me in my tracks and makes me realize how we, as a society, need to SLOW DOWN. My goodness, years ago people made their own rugs. Now, we barely have time to communicate, in person, with family members.
    Thank you, Linda, for reminding me of my need to slow down and enjoy those around me!

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    1. I often need a reminder to slow down as well. Our society seems to be all about busy, busy, busy. And technology has been a mixed blessing to be sure. It's too easy to get mired down in email, internet and TV yet Skype and FB have helped me keep in touch with far away family members. Thanks for your comment!

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  2. This is very interesting. I've seen the kits at craft stores, but these are really cool. I totally agree with you, Heidi. More and more I see myself leaning towards a slower, simpler lifestyle. We're running around like chickens with our heads cut off, but are we really accomplishing more? Or are we losing sight of what is most important?

    That's one of the reasons I love history and historical fiction. :)

    Amber Schamel
    Brining HIStory to Life
    www.AmberSchamel.com

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  3. Linda, what a great post in so many ways. An adage my grandma used was "Make due or do without!" We didn't often do without, but we did learn to make due. :) And by the way I still have a small hook rug I made as a child. Fond memories!
    It's so true we need to slow down and enjoy the little things. Your post made me smile, thank you.

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    1. Love the adage, Michele. We say something similar in my neck of the woods too.

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  4. I heard of doing a rag rug out of old jeans. The strips are woven through a mesh base (I think it was crocheted) and hooked at each end. I'm thinking of doing one since the grandchildren discard so many jeans. I'd like to make mine with light denim and dark denim stripes. Thanks for this timely idea.

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    1. Ooo, that sounds so cool, Elaine. I'd love to see a pic. Great idea too.

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  5. I've made latch hook designs before, but I've never tried my hand at making a rag rug like this. Thanks for sharing the post, Linda. I love crafts/items that make use of old or seemingly "useless" things. Nothing and no one is really useless, especially in the hands of our amazing God. :)

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  6. I agree Amber. I think I'm drawn to history and historical fiction for the same reason - seemingly simpler times. I love the idea of the rug out of jeans, it would really hold up. I have a neighbor who recently got into braiding rugs. Would love to see a photo of your rug.

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  7. I've made the latch rugs, and also made a loop rug (not sure if that's the correct name) where the hook pulls up a loop. You can make roses or any design, actually. This makes me want to find my hook and get my bag of rags out again.

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  8. How interesting! I have never made a rug, but am interested in learning more. I love historical tidbits like this! Thank you for sharing, Linda.

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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  9. My husband's grandmother was thrifty. She had an orange, crinkly rug that was crocheted, not hooked. I couldn't figure out what the rug was made. When I asked her I got a big surprise. The rug was crocheted using long strips she'd cut from Roman Meal bread bags. No end of free materials there!

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