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

Ships of the Prairie

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

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

A frame of hickory bows held the wagon top 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

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

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.  

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

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

Step Two – Select fabrics Use 100% cotton or cotton poly fabrics Old bullet-proof polyester Recycle sheets or old clothing DON’T use drapery, flannels or other fabrics that are lightweight, flimsy or stretch excessively

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Finishing Rug Other methods for finishing rugs: 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

Other Weaving Activities By Joanne Roueche http://4h.wsu.edu/clothing/resources/wovenworldhandout.pdf A Woven World http://4h.wsu.edu/clothing/resources/paperweavinghandout.pdf Paper Weaving

For more information or help contact: Christine Jensen christine For more information or help contact: Christine Jensen christine.jensen@usu.edu 435-381-2381 or Joanne Roueche joanne.roueche@usu.edu 801-451-3404