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I live in the beautiful state of Wisconsin. I'm a wife and stay at home mom of 3 sons. I love to paint, sew, knit, stitch and create. I enjoy selling my creations at local fairs, ebay and here on my blog. When I not crafting I love to decorate my home. I'm always moving furniture, painting or switching things around. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day~*~Leanne~*~

Monday, February 9, 2009

What Are Penny Rugs?

I have been asked many times....What are Penny Rugs?
I posted this awhile ago and I thought I would bring this back to help me answer the question.
Many of you have been asking me about penny rugs and wondering what they are.
Well I will give you a little history lesson.
Penny rugs were popular in the mid 19th century.
They were made from men's wool suits that were no longer in use or left over pieces of wool fabric.
The wool was then felted.
Felting is the process of washing and working the wool to shrink it.

The women would use coins as their pattern to cut out circles.
This is where the name "penny rug" came from.

Penny rugs were not used on the floor.
The women would use these penny rugs on the tops of fabric covered chairs to protect them from the oil men used in their hair.
They also used them as decorative table covering or wall hangings.

Today we use penny rugs as decoration.
You can use them under candles, over baskets, stitched to a pillow, as a picture or wall hanging, as a hot pad or anything else you can think of.


My penny rugs are all hand stitched by me. I enjoy making these little treasures. I love mixing wools and making different color combinations no two are ever the same.

I sell them at local craft fairs under the name Harvest Moon.
I also sell them on ebay under the name Harvest Moon by the Lake.
Click here to see what I have to offer.

If you would like to purchase one of these just email me.


Have a Happy Week,
~*~Leanne~*~






14 comments:

Kristens Creations said...

I've never heard of a penny rug, they are really pretty! Very interesting information too.

Thanks for stopping by! I wonder what it would be like to live in paradise too. After being there, I know the little town I live in is far from it.lol! Kristen

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Ohhh! I have never seen them before. So they are not very big? I love the colors!...Debbie

Marissa said...

My goodness, you have been so busy! The penny rugs are gorgeous, and love the info behind them too.

Hope you're having a great week
Hugs, Marissa

TeresaM said...

Your penny rugs are wonderful! Love the nice bright colors.

Teresa

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Your penny rugs are so pretty. I have heard this term before, and knew about using them on table tops, but how interesting that they were used to protect furniture of men's hair! I guess women never sat down long enough to leave a hair stain on the furniture! Very interesting. laurie

My Colonial Home said...

Hi Leanne, I found your Blog through Applestone Cottage...another Wisconsin Blogger.
I'm from Wisconsin too!

Love your Blog and so glad I found it.
I am a Penny Rug maker and have been for 8 years now...it's just the best craft isn't it?

Hugs, Karen

Marissa said...

Hey Leanne! Me again, thanks for stopping by my blog. Hope you have a wonderful Valentines Day!
Marissa

Carmen S. said...

Hi!I LOVE your penny rugs, you are very talented! I've been wanting to try making one of these, I'm not much of a sewer tho, can they be made with just felt? That way if I mess up, theres no good wool being wasted, LOL! Have a great day!

The Painted Garden said...

Hi,

Thank you for sharing the interesting information on the penny rug. I think I have a baby doll qulit made in the same way and always wondered how it was made.
Have a lovely week.
Blessings,
Erin

Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful said...

Those are darling! I love the history on them too!

~Amanda

DEB said...

Your penny rugs are beautiful.Love your blog!

Connie said...

I just stumbled over your penny rugs. They are so pretty. I imagine you use for them for just about anything.
I enjoy your blog.

My Colonial Home said...

Hi...I'm from Wisconsin too and I love making Penny Rugs...actually I make them to sell on my website.
I jut found your blog...and I love it!
I'm now a follower!
Hugs, karen

Anonymous said...

Came surfing in here after searching for "penny rugs" on the search engine. They are truly very pretty! I have never seen one "live" though, so I am having a hard time imagining their size.

The Swedes are making something similar - also traditionally made from left over wool fabric and old clothes - called "klackmattor" which means shoe heel rugs (the name comes from the shape of the pieces), which are used as proper floor mats as well as chair covers and wall hangings.

I adore the deep soft colours you are using!