A Beginner's Guide to Rag Rug Techniques: Discover rag rugging methods from around the world to upcycle fabric into beautiful pieces for the home

by Elspeth Jackson

Overview

Master RAG-RUGGING in no time with this INSPIRING GUIDE to UPCYCLING offcuts and preloved fabric into modern, stylish RUGS and HOMEWARES.

Includes advice on all the tools and techniques you’ll need, plus 30 PROJECTS to make.

Craft and rag-rugging expert Elspeth Jackson details eight different methods that will help you learn the art of rugs from rags: shaggy, loopy, coiled rope, peg loom weaving, locker hooking, two-string loom, stitched, and twining.

Elspeth shows you the skills, tools, and equipment you’ll need for each technique, as well as providing advice on choices of fabrics and design.

Each chapter includes clear step-by-step instructions for a traditional rug as well as other projects, such as placemats, bowls, wall hangings, and more, with designs inspired by rag rug styles from around the world—Moroccan to Swedish, Brazilian to North American.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781800654143
Publisher:	Ryland Peters & Small
Publication date:	10/14/2025
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 10.85(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Elspeth Jackson has been a keen crafter since she was a little girl but nothing quite stole her heart in the same way as rag rugging. It all began when her mother taught her how to rag rug when she was 14 years old, which led to her winning second prize in a school competition. Ever since, she has been rag rugging anything that will stay still long enough. She 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.