A Braided Rag Rug Workshop

Braided rag rugs?  Finally the mystery is solved!

Last week I attended a two day rag rug making workshop with  Ilka White, a textile artist from Victoria.  Ilka shares her knowledge so generously and is such a beautiful gentle soul.  It was the best two days.

You can read more about Ilka's work here. 

About ten of us shared two full days of artsy conversation, creativity, home made yummy morsels to eat and lots of laughter.  All enjoyed in a beautiful old stone building at the Greenough Pioneer Museum about 20k out of town.  

A very luxurious break from normality.

My place mat sized start was a whole two days work.  Believe it....it's true.  

I've used op-shopped men's shirts in all natural fibres - a mix of linen, hemp, bamboo and cotton and will tailor the colour scheme as the fabrics become available.  Hopefully mostly chambrays and neutrals so it will sit comfortably with any decor.  

I'm so in love with this process, despite making numerous mistakes in the beginning which Ilka good naturedly fixed up!  I also expected the braiding technique to be a lot harder on the hands, but it's really quite gentle and soothing.

Here are the beginnings of some awesome rag rugs.  I had to cut everyone's heads off as I don't like to post pics of people on the internet without their permission.  That's why you only ever see my ugly mug!

I had the best time....and it must have been apparent because Ilka mentioned that my "contentment was spilling over".

The Verandah Skirt

I don't know where the name 'verandah skirt' came from, but I think they're a great idea - a belly dancing friend introduced me to them.  They are designed for the sole purpose of providing a little modesty (aka covering up your 'bits') when wearing leggings or firm fitting trackie pants to yoga, exercise class or belly dancing.  I love mine.  So easy to just throw on if I have to do anything in town straight after a class.  There's no way I would wobble my way round town in just a pair of leggings and a tee shirt.  

Yes I know....some do....but not me.

I don't know why I look so serious.  I think I'm concentrating too hard on tying to hold the camera straight.  I'll have to learn to use a tripod and the delayed timer, or whatever it's called.  

This next shot is worse.  

I'd hate to meet myself in a dark alley.

The mirror is not very clean either.

The skirts are so simple to make.  Just measure how much front and back coverage is required, fold in half across the full width of the fabric, cut a hole for the waist and attach a band which has been inserted with non roll waist elastic.  Easy peasy.

It would appear that holding the camera is the hard part.