Our first introduction to the subject of Liz Shackleton’s talk was the colourful, textural array of rag rugging that we saw laid out in Aldeburgh Library as we entered. We were able to inspect, stroke and marvel at a variety of examples of her work, whilst Liz unfolded to us the inspiring story of creativity found in this craft, and its history, via Vikings, Danes and 19th Century northern England. She accompanied the talk with an excellent collection of slides and some amusing poems about the hazards of having a Progger in the house!

We learnt that the craft of rag rugging in Britain was a simple way of creating useful household items out of textiles that had become too threadbare for use in their original form. It was born out of poverty and a need for thrift. Where money was scarce to spend on comforts, fabric could be given a second or third incarnation. The technique of hooking or looping strips of fabric through a loosely-woven backing was used to make rugs or mats for the floor and for occasional bed and wall coverings, all items to add to the comfort of the poor household. They brought warmth and colour and provided a rare opportunity for women at home to have an outlet for artistic expression. Rug-making could also be a social affair, being done communally to produce a large piece and to enjoy companionship and chat.

The main makers of rag rugs were women: wives of miners and farmers, fishermen or military men who could be away at sea or at war for long periods, leaving their wives to hold the household together. Children cut the many strips of fabric needed for each rug and the men helped by making the wooden frame to hold the work and by fashioning the simple tools used. These were hooks and prodders, or proggers, improvised from all sorts of materials such as the shafts of old keys, nails, wooden pegs, pieces of horn.

We were fascinated to see the variety and beauty of the designs, from the initial simple interpretations of everyday objects, a few surviving from the 19th Century – vase of flowers, cat, dog, hens – to the growing intricacy of pattern, colour and effect of 20th Century examples from Britain and across the Atlantic. Over the years, rag rugs became treasured as desirable Folk Art in the USA and Canada. In Britain this has only latterly become the case. By the end of this talk, there were a number of new devotees!

Liz concluded her engrossing story with questions to make us think about our modern ways and their consequences – our throwaway society, our profligate use of resources, our detrimental impact on the ecology of our planet, our loss of hand skills, thereby our enormous loss of the satisfaction and joy of creativity, of its peace and mindfulness. Perhaps, as AI looms to take over the employment of the ordinary man and woman, we should make conscious efforts to revive many of the handcraft skills.

Thank you, Liz, for an inspiring talk.  (Summary: Ann Moynihan)