American Rag Rugs

American rag rugs are the quintessential “folk art” floor covering, a thrift craft of weaving worn cloth into new floor covering that runs back through the colonial period. The pieces we hold are later: the 25 antique rag rugs currently in stock are catalogued from circa 1870 to 1940, with circa 1920 the single most common date. These rugs are traditionally hand-woven on a loom using strips of cloth “rags” as the weft; in our own records the strips are wool on seventeen, cotton on five, wool and cotton together on two, and jute on one.

Known for their vibrant, multi-colored “hit-or-miss” patterns or simple stripes, they offer a nostalgic, country-chic aesthetic. Durability is not what sets them apart: 21 of our 25 carry a high traffic rating, a slightly smaller share than the rest of our antique stock, and the other four are marked for low traffic only. They are often reversible, and bring a sense of handmade warmth and sustainable history to kitchens, sunrooms, or casual bedrooms.

American Rag Rugs capture the spirit of resourceful American folk art, traditionally woven from strips of repurposed fabric, offering a distinctively textured charm. These unique textiles add warmth and vintage character to modern and rustic settings alike; discover more about the historical significance of Rugs of America and learn about the related tradition of American Hooked Rugs in our detailed guides. Measured across the 25 we currently hold, these are the least expensive hand made antique floor we sell by area: 89 dollars a square foot against 167 for the rest of the collection, a discount that holds when size and date are matched, and they come large, with half room size and a quarter long hallway runners. Our rag rugs buying guide gives the prices, the sizes and the test that separates a woven rag rug from a braided or a hooked one.