Prodded Diamond Rug

C H R I S T I N E B I R C H

Prodding, or proggy, is one of the most traditional methods of rag-making; many people remember rag rugs being made in this way in the past.

As short pieces of material are used in this method, even more scraps are needed than for a hooked rug. Traditionally, a dark border would generally be prodded all around the rug, reflecting the predominant colours of the clothes people wore then. Today, prodded rugs show much more imagination in their subtle combination of colours and fabrics.

Because the pile of prodded rugs is shaggy, designs are not as clearly defined as in other methods, but this is part of the charm. This method can also be used for seat covers and cushions.

87 x 52 cm (34.25 x 20.5 in)

Materials and Equipment

• Pencil
• Graph or drawing paper
• Ruler
• 99 x 60 cm (39 x 23.5 in) hessian/burlap or sacking
• Fine and medium felt-tip pen
• Sewing machine
• Strong thread
• Needle
• Thimble
• Frame with dowelling
• Scissors
• Assortment of materials
• Prodder

Draw the diamond design on graph or drawing paper as a reference guide.

Outline the dimensions of your rug on a piece of hessian, using a fine felt-tip pen; mark the corners and then drag the pen through two threads to join up the marks or use a ruler as a guide. Mark the diamond shapes on the hessian with a thicker felt-tip pen.

Using a sewing machine, run a zigzag stitch all around the edge of the hessian to prevent it from fraying. Using strong thread, tack a hem on both of the shorter edges, wide enough to take the dowelling which will hold the hessian in the frame. Insert the dowelling.

Guide each length of dowelling into the channel of the top and bottom frame pieces.

To make the work easier to handle, roll the surplus hessian over one edge of the frame; then push in the side pieces and stretch the hessian as tautly as possible.

Cut the chosen materials into pieces 2.5 cm ( 1 in) wide and 10 cm (4 in) long. You may prefer to do this piecemeal rather than cut up masses of small pieces all at once.

To remind you of where you want the various colours of your design to be, prod small pieces into the centre of each diamond shape.

Continue prodding to fill in the shapes outlined on the hesssian. Make distinctive borders between the diamonds with a dark plain colour if liked.

Remove the completed rug from the frame, turn under the surplus hessian to make a generous hem on the reverse of the rug, and slip-stitch down, being sure to miter and stitch down the corners.