Welcome to Episode 18. As you may have noticed, I’ve always got my eyes peeled for interesting and useful ways to use up fabric scraps. In this episode I’ve got for you a conversation with author and rag rug expert Elspeth Jackson, to coincide with the release of her new book Rag Rug Techniques for Beginners which is out this week. Elspeth has carved out a career for herself based on teaching and writing about rag rugging, as well as selling kits and related products through her business Ragged Life. We chat about the history of rag rugs, their shifting role in society and how Elspeth came to adopt the rag rug tradition as a form of creativity. She also tells me what’s the simplest way to get involved, and most significantly perhaps for our purposes, how it can help us make the most of even the smallest fabric scraps. 

Elspeth Jackson can be found via her website Ragged Life HERE and via Instagram @raggedlife. 

Her new book ‘Rag Rug Techniques for Beginners’ is available via her website HERE, and from good book sellers. 

Elspeth’s kits start from £19.99 for the basic kit, giving you an introduction to rag rugging HERE.