Monday, March 2, 2009

Toothbrush rugs: Improved videos- basic stitch, finishing off a rug AND photos of the "gentle pastel rug"

FINALLY!
  • I finished the gentle pastel rug
  • I shot some well lit videos in a quiet place.
  • I came up with a name for this rug- the "Brisk Rent Riot Rug" (its obtuse, its supposed to be, don't try to understand it. )
I've been wanting to get some better videos shot and this rug done for 2 months now! This rug could best be categorized as a "thank you rug" or a "gratefulness rug." There are some people from our previous lives who have stuck with us, prayed for us, loved us, helped us out, when few others have done any of those things. They don't (to my knowledge) read my blog or facebook page, don't know its coming, never asked for it. They've been masks of God and means of Grace to us, and turn about is fair play and well overdue!

First- the video showing the basic stitching technique:


Watch Toothbrush rugs- doing the basic stitch | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Next, a video showing how to finish a rug off or tie it off.


There is no "right" way to do this, but this is what works for me!

Watch Toothbrush Rugs- finishing one off | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
I hope these videos are clearer and more helpful than the ones I shot in Chicago, but if there's any way I can make future such videos more helpful, I'm always game. I'm a great rug maker, but I have no pride when it comes to these videos... especially since I usually shoot them without help of anyone else behind the camera. In this case, my wife was asleep with a brutal migraine (what other kind does she have? ;< ) elsewhere, so I had the time and space to set up a tripod in a bright quiet place.

Now some stills of the rug







This is the finished rug






This is one of the most beautiful rugs I've ever done, I'm glad to be giving it to such beautiful people... and I hope its at least a decade before I work with Pink again!

I have a "retina recovery rug" in progress which is made of a leather skirt center, and will have jeans around the outside, but I've not gotten around to finishing my rather detailed [me... verbose and precise... never! ] description of how I chose the colors and shades of jean to use, so... that will be for another time. It certainly is turning out well, and you should see the expressions of people when they see me stitching with LEATHER!


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very Nice. Thanks for sharing.
Letha

Listig said...

You're welcome, glad you appreciate it!

I'm almost done with the leather center of my "retina recovery rug"- reminds me of why I only work with leather about once a year! ;>

PossumManor said...

Thank you for all your wonderful information. I started my first toothbrush rug today, and I think I am doing pretty well. My stitches are not very uniform, but I am assuming that will come with experience. I will be stopping by often. Thanks for being here.

Kathie

Listig said...

Congrats, PM! Yes, it doesn't matter if your stitches are uniform yet, you'll develop your own style, and the tension will even out as you make the rug.

My mother stitches more loosely than I do, and my sister much more so. My stitches take after my grandmother's- so tight you could use the rugs to make a drum or hold water, ;>

The only times that can be a problem is if you're using more advanced/tricky mat'ls such as plastic bags, hoosiery, jeans, or leather. Rugs made from those don't flatten out or adjust their tension so well. I really botched a pantyhose rug 10 years ago, and now we use it as a pad to put under our car wheels when we're stuck in snow. ;>

Questions, comments?

Blog Directory