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Badding Rug


The Badding Rug is a Victorian cross-stitch needlepoint made in 1950 entirely by hand by Carolyn Badding of San Leandro, California. Measuring 12 feet by 15 feet, on a Smyrna canvas backing of seven strips assembled to be one piece before any stitching began, it features approximately 1,260,000 stitches in French wool. Research done prior to its completion revealed no record of any needlepoint rug of the proportions of the Badding Rug completed by any American citizen. This rug was credited in numerous news articles to be a masterpiece in needlepoint. The Badding Rug was compared to one owned by Queen Mary that was fashioned of six completed strips sewn together.

Badding devoted a year of research, planning and design following the French tradition of rugmaking to assure the rug authentic in conception and execution. Lena Hostetter, a Berkeley artist, assisted by painting full size water color sketches to serve as a color guide for the needlework. The patterns were done first on graph paper, to scale, enlarged to full size, and interpreted in wool on canvas. Mabel Albright of Oakland assisted in research, material estimates and in assembling the canvas foundation strips.

Badding found the work so fascinating that she often spent 12 to 14 hours daily at her needlework frame. She invested 5,000 hours completing it. One year was spent in actual needlework. She had expected that the rug would take her three years, but enthusiasm changed her plans and she completed it in a little more than two years.

Over 100 pounds (45 kg) or 1826 skiens of wool were imported from France. After it was re-dyed to achieve the exact colors, three solid weeks were required to untangle and sort the yarns. The design was fashioned after French Aubusson rugs of the 17th and 18th centuries. All old French rugs are classified as either Aubusson or Savonnerie. Flat weaves are called Aubusson while tufted or pile are Savonnerie. Thus, the names apply to methods and fabric – not design or coloring.

It is predominantly rose and beige hues are contrasted with a band of bright, light blue and a touch of soft gold in the border. Less predominant colors are greens, orchids, where the design called for them. In a flat weave, the Badding Rug uses many traditional motifs, such as the Grecian urn, acanthus leaves, a central medallion and a jewel border, but its overall design is original. The year the rug was created and the maker’s initials were stitched into a corner of the rug providing authentication within.


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