Claudia Mills Rugs has been making contemporary rag rugs since 1985. Claudia ran a production studio for over 30 years before she and her small team of weavers moved into a light-filled storefront in the design district of Old City, Philadelphia in 2020. The space includes a showroom, design area and working looms. “It is quite unique because we make the rugs right here and people can just come in and see us at work," Claudia says. She creates most of the custom orders while Jennifer, Ayesha and Katrina design and weave the carpets and pillows that are sold in the store, online and at craft shows.

Even though traditional rag rugs are made with recycled materials, Claudia Mills Rugs weavers exclusively use new cotton, primarily for consistency of texture and colour. Linear patterns are created with plain weave on heavy, maple-wood Cranbrook looms, where yarns and fabric strips intersect and blend to make new colours. Although a 60-cm width is well suited for small rugs and longer runners, rug widths are also seamed together to create custom dimensions. “All our rugs are made to be walked on, to provide warmth and colour, or even to be hung on the wall,” says Claudia.