If you're looking for my free charts, or my other resources for mini needlepointers, please visit the DIY projects section and the Resources section of my website. Or go to the Needlepoint charts index page for an overview of the free charts I'm offering. There's a little information at the bottom of this page too.
My first 1:48 scale rugs are shown above. The biggest rug is stitched from Madelyn Cook's pattern in Nutshell News (November 1996); it's her adaption of an Arts and Crafts rug by Frank Lloyd Wright. The small Chinese style rug is inspired by her Chinese rug pattern in Nutshell News (November 1992). Her rug was larger, and I only had a small scrap of silk gauze at hand, so I had to change the design quite a bit. Both rugs are stitched on #40 silk gauze, with one strand of DMC embroidery floss. The Arts and Crafts rug is 4.5 cm by 6.5 cm (1 3/4" by 2 5/8"). I've put it in my English Cottage.
From 1:12 to 1:48 - the 1:48 scale rugs above are stitched from 1:12 scale patterns in the book Miniature Needlepoint Carpets by Janet Granger. Changing the scale by using finer gauze works best if the original design was for a rather small rug stitched on fairly coarse canvas (in this case 18 holes per inch). Otherwise your rug may turn out way too large for 1:48 scale (do your math before you start stitching!).
First I stitched the Georgian design shown at the right, and later the multi-colored Chinese carpet. Both of these are stitched on #48 silk gauze, with one strand of DMC embroidery floss. The thimble indicates the size - the Chinese carpet measures 4.5 cm by 7 cm (1 3/4" by 2 7/8"), plus fringe.
Designing my own rugs turned out to be great fun! I've long enjoyed the challenge of fitting as much detail as possible into a small needlepoint design, and a few years ago I bought the Easy Cross software. It turned out to be an excellent tool, with lots of great utilities, and I've made charts for lots of 1:48 scale rugs since. I usually use photos of antique rugs as a basis for the designs.
Above left is an oriental rug (Baluch, circa 1850). My chart for it appeared in the very last issue of LEN. The one next to it is a Victorian design, measuring about 3.5 cm by 5 cm (1 1/2" by 2"). You'll find the chart for that one among my free DIYs! The long narrow rug is based on William Morris' Little Tree rug. The chart for that one has appeared in Miniatyrvärlden.
Free pattern charts for some 1:48 and 1:144 scale rugs can be downloaded from the DIY projects section of this site. This mid-1930's rug is one of them. It's based on a full-scale rug by Swedish designer Märta Måås-Fjetterström.
Which gauze to use? When I compare the different rugs I've stitched, I think the ones on #48 silk gauze definitely look best. When I put furniture or dolls next to them, the stitching of these looks much neater and more in scale, though I feel #40 is okay for the bold rectilinear Arts and Crafts design. Of course #54 or finer gauze allows for even more detailed designs, if you have access to suitable thread. I'm uncomfortable working on #54 gauze without magnifier, but eyesight varies a lot.
For general information on silk gauze and where to buy it, please visit the Resources section of this site.
