How to make rugs

Wheeler, Candace, 1827-1923Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.0

Word count: 115K words
Chapters: 12

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.How to make rugs by Candace WheelerAuthor: Wheeler, Candace, 1827-1923,Language: English, Class: TS: Technology: Manufactures, Release Date: Feb 18, 2009

Editor's review

This is a practical guide by Candace Wheeler, a key figure of the Arts and Crafts movement; the original English text is made freely available as an ebook by Project Gutenberg. Wheeler worked for years in textile and decorative arts, and in this book she treats rug making as a blend of household craft and aesthetic education rather than a mere set of steps. The book covers basic methods such as choosing materials, preparing tools, weaving and tufting, and also discusses pattern design and ideas for coordinating rugs with the room, reflecting the taste of the American craft revival from the late nineteenth to early twentieth century. For Chinese readers today, its value is twofold: a historical source for understanding early rug-making techniques and craft thinking, and an accessible hands-on primer. Because the book is old, some materials and terms no longer match today's market, so readers should approach it as both craft history and hands-on practice, comparing it with modern tutorials. Suitable for slow reading with lookup as you go, not for finishing in one sitting.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in traditional craft history and decorative arts
Craft enthusiasts who want to learn the basic rug-weaving process
Self-learners who need original English reading on craft topics
Students researching late nineteenth-century American design trends

Not a good fit for

Professionals seeking complete technical specifications for contemporary rug production
General readers who read only Chinese and do not want to consult the English original
Hands-on learners expecting many high-resolution diagrams and step-by-step photos

Reading tips

Read the table of contents and the pattern design chapters first, then go back to the materials and tools sections.
Compare with modern rug-weaving tutorials while reading, noting obsolete terms and methods.
Treat the book's pattern ideas as inspiration rather than copying specific dimensions and proportions.
Read alongside Wheeler's other writings on decorative arts to understand her view of craft.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book in Chinese or English?

The original is in English, released as a free ebook by Project Gutenberg; there is currently no official Chinese translation. Chinese readers need some English reading ability or translation tools for support.

Can the methods in the book still be followed today?

The basic weaving principles still apply, but some materials, tools and sizing standards differ from today's market. Treat the book as craft history and a source of ideas, and adjust with modern tutorials when working hands-on.

Do I need weaving experience before reading this book?

Not necessarily. The book starts with basic materials and tools, so complete beginners can learn the overall process. But if you want to actually make rugs, it is best to learn the basic operations from modern video tutorials first, then return to the book's design and ideas.

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About the author

Wheeler, Candace, 1827-1923 Author

Candace Wheeler (1827–1923) was a notable figure in American decorative arts and home design. Three of her works are held in the collection, focusing on embroidery, rug making, and home decoration: The Development of Embroidery in America, How to Make Rugs, and Principles of Home Decoration, With Practical Examples. These books show her concern with turning aesthetic ideas into practical domestic practice; her writing is instructive and pragmatic, teaching ordinary readers handicraft skills and decorative principles. Because public information is limited, details of her life, education, and specific positions cannot be confirmed, but her subjects suggest an effort to bridge American embroidery traditions and domestic decorating taste, offering a reference point for later discussions of craft and home aesthetics.