| Scraps and Bits | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rug Making | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| All textiles in a Victorian Household were used and re-used and when they were no longer wearable or functional, they simply found a new purpose. Sheets were cut down and made into pillowcases, or children's undergarments. They could also be torn into strips for bandaging or tied to a stick for cleaning dishes. Adult clothing would be cut down for children, or cut-up to make quilt squares or pieced together for small mats and rugs. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| In 1868, the famouse Dr. Chase, published the following: How To 'Make Bed-Room Carpets for Twelve and a Half Cents Per Yard "Sew together the cheapest cotton cloth the size of the room, and tack the edges to the floor. Now paper the cloth as you would the sides of a room, with cheap room paper; putting a border round the edge if desired. The paste will be better if a little gum arabic is mixed with it. When thoroughly dry give it two coats of furniture or carriage varnish, and when dry it is done." Fortunately, not many stooped to such lengths to carpet a room, since carpeting could be purchased. However, most of the little throw mats were made at home, using the techniques of hooking, braiding and sewing. The example above can be seen at 'The Virtual Museum of Canada', but many other wonderful and colourful mats can be found around the antique shows and shops, and have risen to the Folk Art status they deserve. |
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