A 19th CENTURY TECHNIQUE

Recently I found a beautiful rug which was advertised as "folded wool" a rug from early 19th century and hails from Canada.

At first glance I thought it was a braided rug until I enlarged the photo.  Below is a closeup of the center.

I mentioned it was advertised as a folded wool technique.  However, in a hardback book (below) on antique rug styles that technique is called "fabric-bundle shirring".  It went on to describe how to perform the technique ~ it uses small pieces of fabric which have been folded and sewn together at the center.  Then the pieces are sewn to a foundation for support.  In  looking at the above photos, it seems to me the maker cut circles and sewed at the tiny point and stitched to the foundation.

So decided to cut a couple examples ~ depending on thickness of fabric it could have been a full round piece of fabric or perhaps even half round if it was a nice fulled piece of wool.  See the samples below and how many folds are in them.

From the top, the rug almost gives the appearance of being proddy, until you see the back of the foundation.

While the rug is wonderful I don't think I'll give up my hook and do that technique.

In other boring personal news ~ my dentist called to ask if I could go in today instead of next Monday as my permanent crown had arrived.  And I did.  So that reduces the anxiety of my next appointment a week away ...yay!  All done and $1,695 less in my checking account.

Happy hooking.

Saundra

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