Rag Rugs, Pillows, and More

Elspeth Jackson reinvents the traditional craft of rag rugging to create contemporary and sustainable homeware items from leftover fabrics. 

You’ll be amazed at how simple and enjoyable it is to upcycle old and well-loved garments into beautiful rugs, cushions, artworks, bags and other gifts, using just a few basic tools and some simple techniques. The book is arranged into three chapters: Home includes a selection of projects for fun and easy rugs in a range of colours and styles, as well as a shaggy pillow, draught excluder, wall hanging and chalkboard frame. Gifts has wonderful ideas for unique items that you can make for friends and family, from a clutch bag to flower hair clips and even a brooch. Finally, Seasonal will inspire you to turn your strips of fabric into decorations and gifts to use at certain times of the year, from a rag-rugged heart for Valentine’s Day, to an unusual spring wreath and some gorgeous Christmas baubles. With lavish colour photographs and clear, step-by-step instructions and artworks, crafters of all ages will enjoy making these projects. A comprehensive section at the start of the book covers everything you need to know about which fabrics to choose, what tools you will need and the essential techniques, allowing you to discover how to update this traditional craft with endless possibilities of colour and fabric combinations.

Young crafter Elspeth Jackson prides herself on making rag rugging accessible to everyone and bringing this age-old British craft into the twenty-first century with manageable, contemporary designs. She has established herself as one of the leading rag ruggers in the country and continues to push the boundaries of what can be done with upcycled rags. In 2014 Elspeth founded her company Ragged Life (www.ragged-life.com) to sell rag rug homeware, fashion and art. She now sells rag rug starter kits and runs rag rug workshops across the UK. She lives in Hertfordshire.