Making and Enjoying Wagon Wheel Rugs (round loom rugs)

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Making and Enjoying Wagon
Wheel Rugs (round loom rugs)

• Christine E Jensen, MS, CFCS -- Emery County
• and
• Joanne Roueche, MS, CFCS Davis County
• Utah State University Extension

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Ships of the Prairie
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• Covered wagons for crossing plains were smaller,
  lighter version of the Conestoga freight wagons
  of the East (carrying up to 5000 lbs.)

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Prairie Schooner

• The view of a wagon train with its billowing tops
  resembled a fleet of ships sailing over the
  plains, thus called the Prairie Schooner
• Prairie Schooner carried 1300 lbs, empty
• Wagon box was 10 X 3.5 foot
• could take a load of a ton and a half, but most
  advised to keep the weight below this limit

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• A frame of hickory bows held the wagon top.  The
  top was rolled back for ventilation.  
• Waterproofed with paint or linseed oil, the top
  was of heavy duty canvas, often made from hemp.
• Cloth top protected possessions and people from
  extreme weather conditions

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• Light wagons were less likely to bog down in
  muddy stream banks or prairie sloughs--or tire
  the animals teams pulling it.
• Massive axles supported the weight of the wagon
  body and load.  A broken axle was a disaster--and
  prudent wagoner's usually took along a spare.
• Big wheels helped the wagon roll easily over
  bumps and dips in the trail

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• Wide rims helped keep the wagon from sinking into
  soft ground
• The box sat upon two sets of wheels of different
  sizes the rear wheels were typically about 50"
  in diameter, while the front wheels were about
  44" in diameter.
• Front wheels had to be smaller to permit sharp
  turns--a big wheel would jam against the wagon
  body.  

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Steel tires

• Weighed approximately 100 lbs or more for a 48
  rim
• Width was from 1 ¾ to 2
• Approximately 1 in every 6 wagons carried an
  extra tire
• Blacksmiths were indispensible wagon train
  members

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Getting Started

• First -- select round loom
• Bicycle rims (steel or aluminum, no spokes)
• Old round card table frame
• Recycled frame from mini-trampoline
• Welder
• Hula Hoops, PVC does not work well as it will
  bend
• Circular firewood rack

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Step Two Select fabrics

• Use 100 cotton or cotton poly fabrics
• Old bullet-proof polyester
• Recycle sheets or old clothing
• DONT use drapery, flannels or other fabrics that
  are lightweight, flimsy or stretch excessively

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Preparation

• Cut fabrics into 2 strips (smaller strips for
  smaller looms)
• Cut initial strips (warp) 8-10 inches longer than
  frame for first 7 strips
• Use a variety of colors
• Spokes should stand out from weft fabrics

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• If desired, pre-fold all strips
• Fold both cut edges to center, then fold in half
• Raw edges are not exposed
• The weaving pattern is called tabby, an
  over-under pattern.
• Depending on size of rug, you will need to add
  new spokes each round

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Warp Forming the Hub

• Always start with an odd number of warp strips
• Place 4 strips across loom and tie in single knot
  on each end. Keep taut.
• Turn loom a quarter turn.
• Tie, one at a time, 3 more warp strips, weaving
  center strips in an over/under pattern. Tie at
  each end.

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Beginning to Weave

• Take one strip and tie beside the three warp
  strips
• This becomes the first weaving strip
• Mark this strip with pin

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• Begin weaving, by bringing the new strip to
  center and
• begin weaving over/under pattern around center
  hub
• May pull slightly, giving a diagonal look to this
  strip. Keep as straight as possible. Weave in.
• When you have gone around one time, pull fabric
  tight around center, using fingers
• Continuing weaving over/under pattern

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Adding Spokes

• Spokes are added around the entire wheel each
  time a new spoke is added
• Added in an inverted V pattern
• To add, tie one end of the warp to frame, loop
  center of warp over the previous round, take warp
  back down to frame and tie
• Be careful to not pull weft strips too tight, may
  cause a buckling in center

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Adding fabric to weft strips

• Add fabric by sewing or using the slash knot
  method
• Sewing strips on angle to allow even wear along
  seam

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Finishing Rug

• Take off only one or two fringe at a time from
  frame. DO NOT take all the fringe off at once!
• Other methods for finishing rugs
• Tie two fringe together
• Take two fringe, cut each in half, tie half of
  one and half of another together
• Weave ends into rug, sew by hand or machine,
  around rug
• Sew entire rug edge, trim fringe off entirely
• Trim off fringe and add bias tape
• Trim fringe evenly whatever method

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Other Weaving Activities

• By Joanne Roueche
• http//4h.wsu.edu/clothing/resources/wovenworldhan
  dout.pdf A Woven World
• http//4h.wsu.edu/clothing/resources/paperweavingh
  andout.pdf Paper Weaving

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• For more information or help
• contact
• Christine Jensen christine.jensen_at_usu.edu
• 435-381-2381
• or
• Joanne Roueche joanne.roueche_at_usu.edu
• 801-451-3404