Rag Rugs & Bags
Technique and design
Instructors: Becky Ashenden, Sara Jeanne Burke, Eva Gaultney
Dates offered 2026: Aug 31 – Sep 4
Rag rugs are a quintessential part of Scandinavian culture and life. You find them in nearly every home, and they can make any place feel like home. We use the genuine 12/6 cotton rug warp from Sweden under high tension using narrow cotton strips, which is the way to achieve a true Scandinavian style rag rug. The broad array of possible patterns and techniques could take an entire lifetime to explore. The more you delve into the possibilities, the more rugs you will be inspired to create. You may even feel compelled to weave one of our beloved chenille rugs!
Possible techniques
- Plain weave
- Basket weave
- Rag chenille
- Twills
- Rosepath
- Slarvtjäll (straight inlay)
- Diagonal inlay
- Twisted stripes
- Dubbelbindning
- Rya knots
- Pile inlay
Designing
We will peruse inspirational books and samples to open the door to endless possibilities. Using paper, pens, and the rags themselves you will be coached to create your own design, choose your rags, and plan your warp.
Schedule
Mon – Inspiring designs from our books and rug collection will be perused, discussed, and used to design your beautiful rug. You will wind and beam your warp with help from our staff, and start to thread heddles.
Tue – We will continue with loom setup and rag cutting, and will begin weaving.
Wed–Thu – Continue weaving.
Fri – Finishing methods will be demonstrated and discussed.
Finishing techniques
- Twisted fringe
- Woven rag hem
- Sewn cloth edge
Register now
Prerequisites: Vävstuga Basics (Why does everyone need Basics?)
Max enrollment: 10
Location: Barn studio
Course fee: $1100 (includes all instruction and studio time, course handouts, lunch Mon–Fri, dinner Thu)
Materials fee: $125
Days offered: Five-day session, Mon–Fri
Schedule: Instruction time 9:00–12:30 and 1:30–4:00. Exceptions: on the last day, checkout must be completed by 3:00. Once a session begins, the Barn studio is available at all hours.