Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
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Friday, May 1, 2015

The Rag Rug

It was just a small faded looking thing which turned up when Mrs. T. was sorting through closets to take stuff to the Goodwill.   But oh the memories that  came with it....
Back in the day when I was a child (actually the forties) our extended family saved things.  Things like grease for making soap, clothing for quilts, and animal parts for God knows what, with names like "blood sausage & head cheese."   Then there was the "rag bag" for taking rags to my Dad's Aunt Martha in Green Isle, Minnesota.  She had a large loom with pedals and bobbins.   For making "rag rugs." Here is mine.
Well used you might say. And it was as the name tags on the end that tell the story.
 
All day every day kindergarten required nap time on the floor of the classroom in those days, so a rug was naturally needed. Thus mine was used and passed on to my siblings and later a son. 
Raymond 1946
Gregory 1952
John 1954
Ted 1976 our eldest son
Tony our youngest  didn't require the services of the "rag rug" because our local school district switched to half day kindergarten. 
Nope this relic won't be going to the Goodwill any time soon!!! 

29 comments:

  1. This is so nice, Trout! :)

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  2. oh, that's precious. :) my family did much the same as you - and even made blood sausage (shudder!)

    my father crocheted rag rugs and one year had a few of those types made on a loom from his rags.

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  3. THAT IS AWESOME!!! What a treasure!

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  4. What wonderful memories. That's a keeper!

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  5. What a wonderful heirloom that rug has turned into. When I think of Aunt Martha making it out of old rags, who knew it would be used for so long? I wouldn't even think of getting rid of such a treasure! :-)

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  6. What a treasure. So many stories that rug could tell.

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  7. That is a family treasure! Just think some of your Dad's old shirts and your Mom's old dresses are probably in that rug:)

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  8. That is a priceless treasure. Have you thought of framing it, or simply making a wall hanging out of it?

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    1. I brought the idea up. Now we'll wait till the management decides....:)

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  9. Are there any more little Potthoffs that might use it yet?

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  10. I'll bet you completely forgot about this rug. some things like your rug can be very sentimental

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  11. What a sweet find and such a treasure!!

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  12. What a treasure that quilt is!!

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  13. How wonderful to still have this fabulous family memento. My aunt used to make rag rugs by hand, while I cut the cloth into strips! Oh, such good old days.

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  14. What a great memory aid that is.

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  15. What a fun rug. We had an ironing lady who took all of our clothes to make these, I have two left. My Dad always wore white shirts so they were the base color and other strips were added. Mine are in the back of the van protecting the floor a bit, but get shook off and put in my tent when camping. These used to be at the front door of my parents home.

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  16. A wonderful memory.
    We have a local Historical Museum that still makes rag rugs.

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  17. What sweet memories of little boys napping on a rug made by someone's hands. My grandma saved rags and took them to someone who wove rugs and I have one of them, well-worn but I will be keeping it anyway.

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  18. How neat that you have kept it and it has served your family well. I do remember rags and making rag rugs.It was the only crafty thing I ever did. Wish I had kept mine.

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  19. A wonderful tale and a wonderful family heirlloom.

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  20. Oh, cool! That is such a unique family treasure! Price those things now---they cost you a FORTUNE to buy. There are a lot of folks who make them in Kentucky and sell them at a hefty price. LOVE them!

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  21. It's wonderful to have family heirlooms that bring back memories. I have a few but I've moved so many times, most are lost forever. I remember the kindergarten naps, hated them.

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  22. I was wondering what happened to my favorite shirt.

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  23. What a treasure for you to find! Just think of all the sweet dreams that took place on that rug. Or that were supposed to take place. Your auntie was quite the dream weaver.

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  24. What a treasure for you to find! Just think of all the sweet dreams that took place on that rug. Or that were supposed to take place. Your auntie was quite the dream weaver.

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  25. Don't you love it when something like that brings back such wonderful memories?

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  26. My mom always used rag rugs near the front and back doors and in the kitchen. I loved getting a new batch and seeing what our old shirts and dresses looked like when they were compressed into the rugs. I have purchased rag rugs for my own house, but they have no history!

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