Penny rug
A penny rug is a decoration made of stitched-together coin-shaped fabric scraps.
History
Penny rugs are believed to date back to at least the 1700s but became popular in the 1800s, starting around the time of the Civil War.[1] Thrifty homemakers would use scraps of wool or felted wool from old clothing, blankets and hats to create designs for mats or rugs. Using coins as templates—the origin of the name "penny rugs"—the weavers created circles, and each piece was then stitched in blanket stitch fashion. The mats or rugs were sometimes backed with old burlap bags or feed sacks.[2] Sometimes a penny was stitched inside the mat to make it lie flat.[citation needed]
Not all penny rugs were meant to cover the floor. Many were meant as hearth rugs, with darker colors to disguise dirt and burn marks. Others were used as decorative coverings for beds, tables and dressers and mantles. Sometimes they are used as wall hangings or pillows. Most designs include circles and some include images from everyday life such as cats, flowers, birds and shapes such as stars and hearts.[1]
Penny rugs were repopularized in the 2000s as crafts.
References
- ^ a b Newell, Aimee E. (March–April 2006). "Penny Rugs: Nineteenth-Century Recycling". PieceWork.
- ^ "From the Collection". Wellfleet Historical Society Museum. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- v
- t
- e
- Baltimore album
- Corded quilting
- Crazy quilting
- Hawaiian quilt
- Nakshi kantha
- Patchwork quilt
- Provençal quilts
- Quilt art
- Quilting
- Quilts
- Ralli quilt
- Sashiko quilting
- Trapunto
- English paper piecing
- Foundation piecing
- Patchwork
- Possum-skin cloak
- Appliqué
- Broderie perse
- Khayamiya
- Mola
- Penny rug
- Ribbon work
museums, and events
- Great Lakes Quilt Center
- International Quilt Study Center
- Museum of the American Quilter's Society
- Quilt Index
- Quilters Hall of Fame
- Quilt National
- Quilt Treasures
- San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles
- Conservation and Restoration of Quilts
- [National Museum of Australia - 1894 Autograph Quilt]