Heather Allen Hietala's Gallery

Weaving Contemporary Rag Rugs : @1998 Lark Books

About this Gallery: These rugs begin as recycled light colored fabrics. Heather's paternal grandmother was Finnish and she follows the long tradition of Scandinavian rag weaving, where fabric is striped and rewoven into sturdy rag rugs. Similar to her art quilts she views the woven rag rug as a canvas. The architectural series is carried on using painted dyes on woven rag rugs. Applique, silk-screened textile inks, and embroidery are a few of the techniques that she uses to enliven the surface and strengthen the feeling of architectural space. Initially they were designed to be functional while "punching" a visual hole in the floor, but due to the time involved they have become decorative to hang on the wall as a wonderful work combining fine craft and art. Heather's exploration with rag weaving prompted her to write a wonderful informative book, "Weaving Contemporary Rag Rugs," Lark Books 1998. The book was written using her maiden name Heather L. Allen. In 2005 it was translated and published in Japanese.