Follow-Up From Thursday's Post

In case you're wondering what my hooked rugs of those shown on Thursday's post looks like, here are the ones I've hooked ~ Cats Meow.

This is the photo where I first saw the rug where it was on a log cabin wall.  Later learned who the owner was and contacted her.  Although ownership an antique rug does not qualify as copyright, thought it would be nice to get her approval.

I've hooked two E.S. Frost sheep, this one and one with scrolls.  Mine was hooked with the penny circles, like the original but I sure do like how Melinda Cole hooked hers (scroll down to next post to see).

Below is the original Frost rug with fringe.

The newly discovered Magdalena Goat I did hook twice.  The first one hooked as close to Magdalena's original as possible using what I have.

Then thought maybe showing another color palate might make the pattern more interesting to folks so  hooked a smaller size in a different color.

And here is the original Magdalena Goat.  

In Evelyn Lawrence's booklet Magdalena Briner Eby, she mentions a rug dealer recalling several rugs with goats in addition to the one on The Farm rug.  And finally January 17, 2017 I happened upon it listed on an auction site and immediately sent Evelyn a link.  Evelyn then contacted the auction house.   It was fun watching the price increase after the first jump when someone else recognized its importance.  It was so much fun to be a part of that new Magdalena discovery.  Here is Evelyn's book and you can order your copy HERE.

The only other rug on the previous post I hooked is Cherries and Candy Stripe.  As soon as I saw the original knew it must go on my frame....and so it did.

Here is a photo of the original antique; you can see I decided not to use a yellow aged wool in the stripe.

There is a new rug on my frame (tease) and a rug which needs binding.  You will see the reveals one at a time later.

Saundra
www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com 

DETOUR NO MORE

Detour hooking project is over, Christmas day was yesterday and now my journey can continue on my antique adaptation of "Cherries and Candy Stripe".  For those of you just checking out my blog this is the antique rug my project was inspired by.  The original antique was 30" x 75" but I wanted something smaller for my harvest table.  My design measures 14 x 35 for my table.

This is what I've accomplished so far.  I chose to use a tan against the light stripes rather than goldish as the original hooker.  But remember the other hooker used what she had. 

Yes, I did all the pre-finish work and even sewed on a stripe cotton binding since it will be on the table and not on the floor.  Besides, I know exactly this is the size I want and finishing will be a lot easier having done this in advance.  That said, IF I was working on a pattern and thought maybe I'd make the border wider I'd have waited to finish at the very last.

I adore antique rugs and it is SO MUCH FUN trying to replicate the antique look using what is in my stash.  Sometimes I don't get close but do keep trying as I love antique rugs and think about the women who came before me who hooked them.

Check back on my progress.  Even tho this is a small piece I'm not sure it will be completed in 2014 since weather tomorrow is good and yard work needs to be done. 

Hope you had a very Merry Christmas with family, friends and furry friends.  Ben is laying by my side snoring with a full belly from goodies and play with his new toys.  This is my exhausted adopted Rottweiler.  He was 3 years 7 months old when adopted.  Please consider adoption.  I've a good, loving, friendly and loyal dog.

Have a great evening everyone.  I'm hoping to get yard work done tomorrow before colder weather comes in BUT plan to hook on my new project so it can be logged into the finished projects of 2014.  Stay tuned.

Saundra
 

Let the Next Journey Begin

That journey would be my next antique adaptation Cherries and Candy Stripe.  No, I haven't finished the Olde Ducks yet but since I'm always looking forward to the next rug just had to start the process.  And since I promised to share the journey with you thought I'd begin with this.

I've started pulling wool and the strange thing is that once my next pattern was decided and drawn on linen a bundle of wool fell off the shelf.  You wouldn't believe the luck, but it was the perfect color for some of this design and it fell by a fluke.  That would be the dulled mottled red color you see in the pile to the right of the stripe.  That stripe will be my exterior holding line all around the perimeter of the design....uh, I'm thinking.  The blue, over dyed cream and white/tan cream worms will also be used.  Frankly would like to use reds and blues out of my worm bags also to give it the aged look. 

First the pattern was drawn on linen and where you see those dashes and dots is where the background coloration was on the original antique.  That will be to guide me for that delightful discoloration in antique rug backgrounds I find so endearing.

Then another line was drawn 1/4" from the edge of the design for me to attach my binding even before binding.  Also, drew another line 1" away from the edge of the rug design where the protective stitching will take place.

The protective stitching was done first at the 1" away from the design.  As it will be a narrow runner for my harvest table and have no desire to enlarge the pattern or the border I did the two rows of straight sewing then a zig zag row between those straight stitched rows to connect and protect the edge when the excess is cut away.

Next I sewed on this cotton stripe as the binding fabric.  Remember, this is NOT intended for the floor so it should be great as it will blend in with the colors of the border plus it looks faded and olden.  Besides, the wool chosen for the holding line will work great as the 'middle man' (er woman) between the cotton and hooked border.

Sadly I'm not starting to hook this baby yet as Magdalena's Olde Ducks need to be completely hooked first.  Not bound immediately I'm sure, but at least all hooked.  Just had to do something in preparation of the new rug on my frame. 

If you wish to follow along in the journey, FOLLOW me and check in periodically to see what is going on.

Have a great Saturday evening everyone.

Saundra

Anatomy of an Antique Rug

Personally, I've only had the opportunity to get close and personal with very few antique rugs.  One was at Woolley Fox when Barb let us touch and closely view the rug which inspired her adaptation of Cora and Bently.  No, there are no pictures to show you of that experience as she asked us not to photograph it since we were seeing it before her article appeared in the Christmas 2013 issue of Early American Life magazine.  That back issue is still available if you wanted to purchase it.

This is a picture of one of the antique rugs I posted on my blog recently.  It is thought to be from the late 19th century and the original measured 30" x 57".  I plan to do an adaptation of it and am naming it Cherries and Candy Stripe.  I'm hooking mine not as a floor runner but a nice table runner for my harvest table and it will measure 14" x 35". 

Below shows the most damaged edge and for the life of me can't figure out if it is hooked with wool, nylons, cotton or what.  But we know that most any textile was used to hook a rug and still is to this day.  In the picture you can see how faded out the top is compared to the part of the textile which was folded and hidden from wear and sun exposure.

This is a picture of the colors of background wool that I find very endearing ~ that mottled blotcy background.  Whether it was originally the same close color but some areas faded more than others or if the person used what they had as it seemed close enough in color at the time. 

In this enlarged picture of the corner of the rug you can see the changes in the colors of in the stripes to either repair it or using what she had to fill in.  And it almost looks like it could have been hooked with nylons.  Maybe it will enlarge if you double click the picture.

Finally, this is part of the back of the rug.  I'm sorta guessing it was a punched rug and not a traditional hooked rug.  Any of you aficionados want to inform me with your expertise?

Have a great Saturday evening everyone and this is a teaser on my journey hooking an adaptation of this rug.  Not yet tho, I'm still working on Magdalena's Olde Ducks.

 

Saundra