1. 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

2. Ships of the Prairie

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.  

8. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.

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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. Other Weaving Activities
By Joanne Roueche
A Woven World
Paper Weaving

24. For more information or help contact: Christine Jensen christine
For more information or help contact: Christine Jensen or Joanne Roueche