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Deborah Hastings holds classes in the traditional craft of rag rugging and will be giving a demonstration at the Devon County Show

LONG-FORGOTTEN ways of reusing things around us instead of throwing them away are making a comeback in the recession.

A craft that people aren't very familiar with anymore is rag rugging, but thanks to teachers like Deborah Hastings it is being kept alive.

The 50-year-old, from Umberleigh, explained: "Our current need to recycle and reuse resources is not new, as in the past rag rugging used potato sacks and old clothing to make serviceable rugs for the home and provide warm insulation.

"My grandmother made many rugs during the war years. It was part of everyday life.

"Now rag rugging is part of a much bigger thing because it's also about recycling. When people look at my work they can't believe it's made out of rubbish.

"I go to charity shops and buy up old bedding and just make things. It's all made of rubbish so I'm recycling and it shows how people can reconsider recycling textiles.

"We are running out of holes in the ground for landfill so we need to be thinking what we can do with some of it. With the credit crunch, instead of bankrupting yourself and buying a new rug, why not sit down and make one?"

Read more at - http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/features/Traditional-skills-making-comeback-recession/article-979670-detail/article.html