How to Make Rag Balls

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Collect old sheets

   You'll need 1 to 2 yards (0.9 to
   1.8 m) of fabric per rag ball.
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   Step 2: old clothing or fabric yardage.

   Always snip in line with the grain of your fabric.
   
   In other words, look carefully at the fabric, determine which way the fibers run, and cut in the same direction.
   
   This ensures that your fabric will tear easily and evenly. , Cotton, in particular, will tear easily along the grain. , You can tear all the way through the edge of the fabric, but you'll end up with a pile of strips that you have to knot or sew together.
   
   If you stop 1 inch away from the edge, you can create 1 long strip of fabric from any square or rectangular piece. , The heavier your fabric is, the wider the strips you should tear. , Use even, controlled force to make a smooth tear, and stop 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the far side of the fabric (this is the edge you first started tearing from). ,, The result is 1 long, continuous zig-zag piece of fabric.
   
   Once you've cut the entire sheet, rag or piece of fabric into strips you're ready to roll it into a ball, just like you'd roll a ball of yarn. ,, Pinch them together and continue wrapping the long rag strip around the loops, this time perpendicular to the original wraps. , As long as you do an equal number of horizontal, vertical and diagonal wraps, you should end up with a reasonably round rag ball. ,,
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   Step 3: Snip into the edge of your fabric with sharp scissors.

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   Step 4: Grasp the fabric on either side of the snip and pull it apart.

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   Step 5: Tear the fabric to about 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from the opposite edge.

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   Step 6: Turn the fabric around and make another snip to start a new tear

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   Step 7: 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches (1.25 to 3.75 cm) away from the previous tear.

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   Step 8: Grasp both sides of the snip you just made and tear again.

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   Step 9: Make another snip in the far side of the fabric

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    Step 10: the same width away from the last tear as the one before that.

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    Step 11: Continue ripping back and forth across the fabric

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    Step 12: stopping about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the edge with each tear you make.

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    Step 13: Wrap 1 end of the long rag strip you created around your fingers 8 to 10 times.

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    Step 14: Slide the loops you just wrapped off your fingers.

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    Step 15: Alter the directions of your wraps as the ball begins to take shape.

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    Step 16: Tuck the end of the yarn wrap under 1 of the previous loops to secure it.

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    Step 17: Store your rag balls in a basket for a Southern-style decoration

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    Step 18: until you're ready to use them.

Detailed Guide

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