EAST meets WEST

by Jo Franco; Guild Editor/Blogger

A family holiday in Queensland provided the perfect opportunity for me to visit rugmakers in the area.

Judi Tompkins, the Guild’s webmaster and I talk regularly each week on Skype in an effort to maintain the website and bring rughooking news and Australian Guild members together.

Judi facilitates group meetings at the Beerwah Library from 3:00-6:00pm on the 2nd Monday and 3rd Tuesday of each month.

However to fit in with my schedule, she invited members of the Sunshine Coast Rug Crafters to her studio on Sunday 2nd August for an informal workshop and “hook-in” and asked them to bring a recently finished, or favourite rug for Show & Tell. Some of the rugs have been shown before on this blog but there‘s nothing like seeing and touching the real thing.

In a recent post about the SCRC group’s demonstration at the Palmwoods Art & Crafts Show Stella could be seen working on her porpoise piece which is now completed and shown below with its companion piece.

Cetacan Dreaming designed and hooked by Stella Edmundson

Kangroos on Mars designed and hooked By Stella Edmundson

This was a day of exchanging information.

I shared Judith Stephen’s method for making bags & baskets using the toothbrush or nalbinding technique (also spelled nålbinding, naalbinding, nalebinding).

Some of the group decided to give the technique a go and make a bag, others opted to make mats – this one started by Bea.

Jo looking on as Anne & Pat, Cassie (with help from Sally) & Bea get started with their toothbrush rug hooking.

(Left) Annette & Diane studying the iPad bag made with this technique by Judith Stephens

and below, Judy and Annette getting started with their own toothbrush rug hooking projects.

Below is a bag made by Sally, a new member from Brisbane, who discovered this gathering through the Guild’s Facebook page and decided to join the Guild and attend.

Sally uses the punch-needle rug hooking technique and has worked on Amy Oxford designs which she purchased while overseas. She recently took a punch-needle hooking class with Bec Andersen at Mt. Tamborine, south of Brisbane,

On this day, Judi Tompkins showed her the traditional rughooking technique and how to prod a flower onto the little bag she’d almost completed.

(Below) Sally practicing the new techniques.

Information wasn’t just going one-way;

Sally brought her punch-needle hooked rugs to show, as well as the frame she’d made with a locally purchased substitute for metal gripper strips.

Details of this frame, the gripper substitute and images showing how Sally installed them on her frame, will be in the next Guild Newsletter ‘In the Loop’ emailed to members.

The day was full of conversation with everyone sharing rughooking ideas and asking questions, the only lull coming during morning tea and lunch as we enjoyed all the wonderful goodies everyone bought to share.

I demonstrated some other mat making techniques taught to me by Judith Stephens/ Guild President; Stick Weaving and the Chunky Rugmaker – unfortunately, examples of rugs using these techniques made by Judith and Fibre Necklaces made by Maggie Whyte, V.Pres/Secretary (ACT) using the Chunky Rugmaker were left behind on my workshop table in WA. Thank goodness for laptops and smart phones, I was able to pull up these images to share.

(Above) a hot pad made with stick weaving using recycled sheets and wool yarn. Alongside are the sticks set up to begin a new project.

(Above) A mat being created with the Chunky Rugmaker using carpet wool and soft recycled fabric for the stuffing.

(Below) A Fibre necklace created by Maggie Whyte (ACT) with the same tool using knitting yarn and tiny scraps of fabric – the snippets from other rug hooking projects. Maggie will be at the Expertise Events Craft Fair in Canberra through this weekend, undoubtedly she will have some good examples of this technique on show.

(Below) Diana watching Stella start a stick weaving project extraordinaire – the finished project shown below is destined to be a hanger for one of her rugs.

Over the chair behind Diana is a mat she completed recently at a CWA workshop. It is similar to the toothbrush rugmaking technique we were using, the difference is it only uses one strip of fabric – there is no cording or base strip.

Pat and Val opted for trying Stick Weaving instead of the Toothbrush technique.

Not only was I meeting new rughooking friends but I also had the pleasure of catching up with Annette White again. We’d met at Miriam Miller’s studio in Milton a few years ago. Before she moved to the Sunshine Coast, QLD from NSW, Annette was a member of the Narrawilly Proggers and featured in many news reports about their gatherings.

Photos just don’t do justice to the detail in rugs and I was glad Annette had brought her Three Wise Men, which I’d seen images of while posting the blog, but hadn’t fully appreciated the detail and embellishments on this rug – they are amazing.

Below are some happy snaps taken by Judi Tompkins during our fun filled day

It was so good to meet these new, but very talented rugmakers after seeing so many images of the group in action, (Judy Owen, Stella, Diana, Ann, Pat, Cassie, Val, Margaret, Bea and Annette). Judi Tompkins focus in her own rug work is the Waldoborough technique and her rug designs are original and textural.

Judi has departed from the traditional square/rectangular shaped rugs, with most of her creations being free-form in shape and incorporating elaborate frames. This knowledge has been passed on to the group and they have really picked it up and run with it – there were no ‘ordinary beginner’ rugs in sight!

I think everyone went home suffering from information overload but very happy and ready for more of these social events.

Sally, who lives and works in Brisbane said – “Should you find other Guild members from Brisbane who are looking to catch up occasionally then please count me in.”

Victorian Workshops support Missions

Learn how to make beautiful, unique rugs

from recycled fabrics,

while supporting missionaries and children in Southern Asia and Uganda.

100% of proceeds donated to missions.

Book into a half or full day workshop with Chris at Loch in beautiful South Gippsland. No prior skills required but fun and fellowship guaranteed.

Half day and full day workshops offered.

Tools available to borrow for the day, or purchase.

For more information click this link – it will take you to the Yarra Vallley Rugmakers website where you’ll find a contact form on the right of the page.

Rughooking News from Queensland

The Sunshine Coast Rug Crafters had a busy day

at the Palmwoods Arts & Craft Show

on Saturday 18th July.

There was a lot of interest in this craft from visitors to the event and many took cards and expressed an interest in learning this craft.

All members of the group did a great job engaging with the visitors to the booth and explained and demonstrated what this was all about and how to do it!

Below Diana demonstrates and then allows a visitor to work on her rug.

I was so proud to see how far this group of “young hookers” have come in the last year particularly.

The group now has on offer to the public a wonderful range of diverse styles, techniques and approaches that can be used to demonstrate how individual this work can be.

Many thanks to all for their help ……. it was a long day!

Report by Judi Tompkins

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More rughooking events are coming up in Queensland

in July and August – take a look at the Current Calendar of Events

Mystery tool – no longer a mystery!

REMEMBER THIS UNFINISHED RUG?

created with wool yarn and looking like “Chenille”

it was given to the Wanneroo Rugmakers Group

along with a rough sketch and description of the tool with which it was made.

Well, the tool’s no longer a mystery!

The Wanneroo Rugmakers group was given one of these tools by a visitor to the Museum who had seen rugs made by the Group on exhibition there earlier this year.

The tool, made by Singer Sewing Machine Company, is in excellent condition and in its original packaging, dated 1932, complete with instructions for use.

As you can see, the label on the box proclaims it as

“A New Simple and Practical Sewing Art”

Not only do the printed instructions detail its use, along with step by step images, they suggest what backing fabrics can be used and also what types of wool yarn – noting the tool could also be used with strips of cloth.

As a group, the Wanneroo Rugmakers have the beginnings of quite a collection of antique rugmaking tools.

I wonder how many other groups around the country also have unique rug making items which could be recorded on the Guild website?

If you do, and would like to share your treasures email Jo @ rughookingaustralia@gmail.com

YouTube video from QLD

The Sunshine Coast Rug Crafters (QLD) were video taped recently during a public talk and the raffle of the “Under the Sea” triptych presented to the “Friends of the Beerwah Library”. The amount raised from this rugcrafting project has increased to something over $800! (Up from the $700 we were originally told).

The Beerwah Grafx club has compiled a great 5 min video of the group (music only) and posted it on YouTube….go have a look! Great fun! I’m so proud of the members!

Sunshine Coast Rug Crafters (QLD)

Enjoy! Judi

Colour! Colour everywhere –

Following a post featuring the colourful works created by the Sunshine Coast Rug Crafters, these images of recent creations from Western Australia reflect the use of colour in Aussie rug making.

Australian rughookers have an affinity for bright colours – it must have something to do with the climate, wide open spaces and blue skies plus the number of hours of sunshine each day, especially in Western Australia, even though it’s winter here.

Robin Inkpen has just finished designing and hooking another wonderful carpet bag, destined for sale in an upmarket boutique.

Robin’s carpet bags are unique, each is “personalized” with it’s own identifying name and tag (shown above) which contains a description, i.e.

My name is Belinda, I am a carpet bag.

Robin decided to name me because I am unique. I cannot be reproduced or mass produced. The designs, colours and yarns Robin hooked into me are totally random and inspired as she works;

I am a totally hand made piece of art.

Robin hopes that you enjoy me as much as she enjoyed making me.

* * * *

Kira Mead has taken the product of recent workshops where she demonstrated the making of her quillies and participants “had-a-go” – and created this colourful chair cover

“le tourbillon derrie’re” (the swirl behind).

A close up of the chair pad surface

The images below show how these small demo swirls grew into this wonderful chair pad.

Starting with swatches of recycled wool dyed with food colour ;-

Above – the beginning swirls

Below – Some of the swirls created in the workshops

*** * * ***

Rug hooking with a difference

Recently the Yarra Valley Rugmakers Group showed an interesting video on their blog of a rugmaker, Meg Little, who lives on the USA Eastern Seaboard and creates rugs using an electric tufting machine. It’s great video – click the following link and take a look

http://www.victorianrugmakers.blogspot.com.au/

Also mentioned is Bec Andersen, a member of the Australian Guild, who creates rugs using this ‘electric’ tufting technique, as they say “taking punch needle rug hooking to a different level”.

Bec hosts a rug hooking group who meet regularly at her studio in Mt. Tamborine, south of Brisbane in Queensland. She also gives workshops in traditional rug hooking and various rugmaking techniques and works in the community on textile projects. You can contact Bec by email at info@becandersen.com

Below is a video showing Bec using this tufting technique and creating the

“Wishing Chair”

The Wishing Chair was featured in the Australian Rugmakers Guild News and TIGHR’s Hooking Matters a few years ago. It’s amazing to see her breath new life into a dilapidated old chair left by the roadside for a rubbish pick-up.

Bec Andersen “Rug Wishes” from Thor Andersen on Vimeo.

Queensland – Sunshine Coast Rug Crafters

LIBRARY PROJECT A SUCCESS !

The Sunshine Coast Rug Crafters raised over $700 in support of the

“Friends of the Beerwah Library” with their original triptych of “Under the Sea”.

The three pieces were won by people on Bribie Island, Glass House Mountains and Beerwah so the “word” is beginning to spread across the Sunshine Coast.

Over 25 people attended the brief talk and Q & A session offered by Judi Tompkins and the members of the Sunshine Coast Rug Crafters and there was a great interest in the craft with questions about “How do you do it?” and “How can I learn?” ……. as a result we have 10 new members who want to join the group which means the July sessions will be very busy. Report by Judi Tompkins

( Left) Setting up a display of the groups work at the Library.

(Below) Early days of the project – some of the groups members working on their “Undersea” pieces.

Note the use of small scale stretcher frames

Annette from NSW has relocated to QLD and joined the Sunshine Coast Rug Crafters – her Three Wise Men were on display at the Library. Shown here is a close-up of the hanging system she used for this piece.

The Sunshine Coast Rug Crafters groups meet the second Monday and third Tuesday of each month from 3-6pm at the Beerwah Library.

As a community group there is no fee to attend; afternoon tea is available.

For more information contact Judi Tompkins at judi.tompkins@bigpond.com and read more about Judi’s rug hooking on her personal website http://www.rugcraftingaustralia.com.au and https://www.facebook.com/rugcraftingaustralia

A Weekend of Rugmaking Workshops

In Western Australia on the weekend of 6th & 7th June there were rug hooking workshops with a difference.

Participants paid to attend morning or afternoon sessions in two locations, north and south of the city, and rather than signing up for a specific workshop, spent their time watching and taking part in the various on-going hands-on demonstrations.

Things were quiet as we set up – once the doors opened there was a buzz of activity as the participants moved from table to table and gathered close so as not to miss anything.

The techniques advertised were:-

Locker Hooking;

Robin Inkpen “in full flight” explaining this technique is quite different from traditional rug hooking.

This group of quilters were deep in thought about the possibility of putting their left-over quilting stash to use!

Locker hooking uses the same “canvas” backing as “latch hooking” however the tool is different. The hook, similar to a crochet hook with a needle eye at the opposite end, is used to thread a length of yarn or string through the long strips of torn cotton fabric hooked into the backing with loops at the front, rather than the short pieces of wool yarn used for latch hooking.

Below is a table mat made by Robin using sari silk off-cuts.

Shown below, is an excellent example of “Australian Locker Hooking” (the term given to pieces where fleece, instead of fabric, is used to hook up through the backing) discovered by Robin at the second workshop venue, Alexander Park Craft House in Menora.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Here Robin shows Kath the ends of the fleece on the back of this piece

Naalbinding or Toothbrush Rugmaking;

Judith Stephens with samples of all manner of bags, baskets and bowls she’s created from torn doona covers and sheets made with a tool modified from – yes…. a toothbrush!

The most popular items were the bags, some with a flap, made to hold iPads. These bags were created in “one piece” – absolutely no seams – no sewing required even the handles of the bags were worked into the same piece.

Some of the baskets had a built in base giving them stability to stand and more carrying capacity – also with no stitching required.

Quillies (standing wool rugs);

Kira Mead’s quillies have gone viral – everyone was anxious to have-a-go at this technique, new to all.

At the Craft Fair, after looking at Kira’s “Reef” wall-hanging, a visitor expressed an interest in the shaped sea creatures and signed up for the workshop hoping to ask Kira how to create a bird shape to represent her pet pink & gray galah. She was thrilled to find Kira had created a small kit in the shape of a bird and already had one made up in pink and gray (shown above on the table)

The construction of “Aurora” a large wall-hanging, is featured in an article by Kira in the current issue of Rug Hooking Magazine.

From over-size to ……..something small, this brooch is Kira’s most recent project.

Proggy and Traditional rug hooking;

All the participants were new to rugmaking – Anna’s brightly coloured proggy rug, (left – shown with the backside folded over) attracted much attention and a mini-stretcher frame was used by those who wished to try their hand at proggy, while a selection of locally made lap frames were used for the traditional rug hooking demonstrations.

The advertised “5 techniques” became “7”

with demonstrations of Stick weaving and the Chunky rugmaker.

Above Gay is working on a toothbrush rug mat as Nita sets up some stick weaving.

The length of firm fabric “cord” formed by stick weaving makes an excellent bag handle or it could be wound and glued or stitched to make a mat.

Nita and Gay also demonstrated the use of the Chunky rugmaker – used by Maggie Whyte (ACT) to create Fabric Necklaces and a different twist on typical mats.

Below, this happy trio participated in a recent workshop making Fabric Necklaces at Wanneroo

Books & Magazines;

A selection of rug hooking books were available for participants to view and copies of Miriam Miller’s book “Proggy and Hooky Rugs” with it’s clear illustrations and “how-to” descriptions, were available for sale.

Copies of Rug Hooking Magazine were also available.

Following the workshops

Complimentary comments have been coming in from participants – here are just a couple –

Anne who attended in Mandurah emailed to say

“thanks to all the instructors for their help at the workshop on Saturday in Mandurah – Dawn and I thoroughly enjoyed our time – never knew there were so many ways to use all kinds of materials to craft and create.”

After Menora – Beth said –

“thank you so much for yesterday – it was a marvellous time. I loved it!”

LEST WE FORGET

The Wanneroo Rugmakers group

members have been working together on the wall-hanging shown below, and displayed at this exhibition in the Wanneroo Museum.

Lest We Forget – Wanneroo Rugmakers Group 2015

590mm x 1240mm

Artist Statement:

This wall hanging was created with recycled fabrics and worked with traditional rug hooking techniques, in commemoration of the men from Wanneroo who joined the Armed Forces and went to war to secure our continued freedom.

It was hooked in a confusion of monotone stitches to symbolise the destruction and desolation of war; with the poppy representing the blood spilled on the battlefield and the rising sun illustrating the dawning day and the ushering in of new hope.

http://wanneroorugmakers.com/