What size do I make my strips for twining?
It depends on the 'weight' of the fabric. ie. winter weight denim is heavier than summer wt. so I rip it at 1"-1 1/4". Keep in mind the wear and tear on the material if it's used. Summer weight I cut 1 1/2" to even 2" if worn. Cotton, same as summer weight denim. Flannel I cut 1" to 1 1/2".
I rip at 1" wide but if it's a worn cotton I'd rip at maybe 2" or more. You'll get a feel for what is the best for strength of the strips. I rip my strips as long as the sheets, curtains or jeans will let me. Then when it is time to use the strips I can use them full length for warp and shorter for weft. My rule of thumb for weft is, I cut the strip approximately the length from my nose to my fingertips or just slightly longer. At this length I can easily pull them through the rug as I quickly twine. Anything longer will get stuck in the other strip you are twining with. So about 3 ft. If I use cord or string I double or triple up. Just as long as you think the warp is sturdy...can you pull on it with both hands and it doesn't rip? I really haven't mixed a lot of different materials together. I did do a denim with both winter and summer wt. denim it was rather irregular. Nice to look at but I wasn't happy with it. Experiment: warp the loom and twine 4 or 5 rows. If you don't like it tear it out.
Twining is a very durable triple layer weave so you'll get the feel of what will and what will not work for you.
It depends on the 'weight' of the fabric. ie. winter weight denim is heavier than summer wt. so I rip it at 1"-1 1/4". Keep in mind the wear and tear on the material if it's used. Summer weight I cut 1 1/2" to even 2" if worn. Cotton, same as summer weight denim. Flannel I cut 1" to 1 1/2".
I rip at 1" wide but if it's a worn cotton I'd rip at maybe 2" or more. You'll get a feel for what is the best for strength of the strips. I rip my strips as long as the sheets, curtains or jeans will let me. Then when it is time to use the strips I can use them full length for warp and shorter for weft. My rule of thumb for weft is, I cut the strip approximately the length from my nose to my fingertips or just slightly longer. At this length I can easily pull them through the rug as I quickly twine. Anything longer will get stuck in the other strip you are twining with. So about 3 ft. If I use cord or string I double or triple up. Just as long as you think the warp is sturdy...can you pull on it with both hands and it doesn't rip? I really haven't mixed a lot of different materials together. I did do a denim with both winter and summer wt. denim it was rather irregular. Nice to look at but I wasn't happy with it. Experiment: warp the loom and twine 4 or 5 rows. If you don't like it tear it out.
Twining is a very durable triple layer weave so you'll get the feel of what will and what will not work for you.
How much material does it take to make a rug on the 47" X 28" Adjustable loom?
Approximately 13 yards of material @ 45"width.
Keep in mind that you will use less material if you make your strips from flannel sheets and more material for microfiber sheets. Cotton sheets are right about in the middle. The amount you use to do a rug will, also, be determined by how tightly (or loosely) you twine. I like to purchase material church bazaars. You can get a full size sheet set for a few dollars and it goes a long way. I collect materials from different sources and make them into balls of strips so I can pick from a variety of colors. The warp takes two medium balls of yarn. The length of a bed sheet works well for this to decrease knots in the warp. I do not have a conscience amount on exactly how many balls it takes to do a full rug because I work the look of the rug as I go along and draw from many sources of my material. I'd be guessing if I told how many.
Regarding sheet sets, it takes somewhere between a queen to king size set of sheets per rug.
When it comes to strips made of jeans it is harder to determine. It depends on the weight of the jeans, the length of the strips....I just start out with as many balls of jean material I can get a hold of. Most friends and family are happy to donate their old jeans to the cause.
Approximately 13 yards of material @ 45"width.
Keep in mind that you will use less material if you make your strips from flannel sheets and more material for microfiber sheets. Cotton sheets are right about in the middle. The amount you use to do a rug will, also, be determined by how tightly (or loosely) you twine. I like to purchase material church bazaars. You can get a full size sheet set for a few dollars and it goes a long way. I collect materials from different sources and make them into balls of strips so I can pick from a variety of colors. The warp takes two medium balls of yarn. The length of a bed sheet works well for this to decrease knots in the warp. I do not have a conscience amount on exactly how many balls it takes to do a full rug because I work the look of the rug as I go along and draw from many sources of my material. I'd be guessing if I told how many.
Regarding sheet sets, it takes somewhere between a queen to king size set of sheets per rug.
When it comes to strips made of jeans it is harder to determine. It depends on the weight of the jeans, the length of the strips....I just start out with as many balls of jean material I can get a hold of. Most friends and family are happy to donate their old jeans to the cause.