Navajo rugs are the inspiration for this art project. As the twentieth century approached, a new commercial yarn called Germantown was introduced to weavers as a trade item. The new yarn widened the range of colors and patterns available to weavers. Some of the rug designs used squares containing individual design motifs.

You can create your own designs and make a rug that represents a personal theme or invite a friend to participate in a collaborative effort. One of the regional designs used by the Navajo contains thunderbirds and rosettes; other designs are pictorial with animals and flowers or patriotic symbols. Use these ideas or create a design using popular icons, such as superheroes and cartoon characters.

Materials:
1 or 2 brown paper grocery bags
Sink or large tub of water
Scissors
Construction paper
Paper punch or nail
Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
Yarn
Blunt-tipped metal or plastic needle with large eye
Iron

Process: Decide on the size of your rug—six to 12 designs will use one brown bag; more designs require two bags. Cut off the bag’s bottom and the seam. Crumple bag and soak in water for ten minutes. Carefully spread out and let dry. Iron the bag flat (adult supervision required). If working on a large rug, glue two bags together.

Select colors of construction paper and cut into squares 3” or larger, depending on number of designs you wish to use. Draw and color designs on each square using bright, solid colors. When all designs are finished, arrange evenly on bag, allowing room for fringe to be cut at each end.

Punch holes through four corners of each square, keeping holes ½” from edges. Use needle and yarn to sew designs in place on bag. Holes may need to be punched in bag to facilitate sewing process. Cut fringe ¼”-½” wide at each end.

Today people are reluctant to walk on such beautiful rug designs. Instead, they hang them on walls as art. So gather your materials and your friends (if you’re doing a collaborative rug) and soon you will have your own rug to display.