Welcoming New Members

Bobby Melia along with members of Yarra Valley Rugmakers Group had a successful weekend at the Lost Trades Fair, Bendigo, Victoria, on 19th/20th March, 2022. They  demonstrated rug making techniques, displayed their work, answered many questions about rug making tools and frames and attracted new members to their group.

The demonstrations appealed to all ages! Apparently young Marcel spent at least half an hour working on the proggy rug after a short lesson with Lee. Then he ran off to drag his brother back for a lesson. Never mind the heat!   (Photos and permission supplied by Marcel’s mum.)

Fairgoers were intrigued with the traditional craft and many have joined the Victorian’s online group all commenting on the enthusiasm and friendliness of the group members who were demonstrating.

Here are some images from the event.

When seeing this frame on the Victorian group’s Facebook page Judi Tompkins, QLD  commented “It looks like the frame shown in Miriam Miller’s Hooky & Proggy Rugs, a great reference and the only rug hooking book written in Australia. The stretcher frame is also useful as a smaller frame.”    Bobby replied that she had shared the information on the frame from a great article on RugCrafting Australia.

Canadian Susan Sutherland (TIGHR/Secretary), also commented on the stretcher frame. Susan is no stranger to Australia rug makers, she lived and taught rug hooking in Canberra before the Australian Rugmakers group was established and has since visited to attend our Aussie Group events.

Here’s the image from Miriam’s book which also has instructions on how to make this frame. Don’t have the book?      For more information email Miriam at  narrawillyfarm@shoal.net.au    or check out RugCrafting Australia.    The frame can be made to any width (see Editor’s Note at the end of this Blog.)

The next get-together of the Yarra Valley Rugmakers is April 9th in Warrandyte.

If you’re interested in learning rug hooking or prodding, or if you just want to check it out please email Anne a.schafer@bigpond.com or send a private message on the Groups Facebook page  – they will message you with more details.

Bobby says:  “We usually go from 10-10:30 until 3 or so.

Beginners, will need a piece of hessian (Spotlight undyed hessian is good, or a sack that’s not falling apart), some cloth (anything you like), tools if you have them, could even be a crochet hook but if you don’t have anything yet, or want to wait and see, tools can be made available for the day, perhaps an embroidery, tapestry or quilting hoop (if you have one already), scissors… hmmm?  What else….     

A contribution to lunch (we eat too much so go easy), (speaking for myself there, I eat too much) or…   just come to check it out. But it’s fun to start and after 15 minutes you’ll know why.”

There is now a second rug makers group in Victoria run by  Chris Noorbergen a member of the Yarra Valley Rugmakers. The new group, the “South Coast Rugmakers” meet at Chris’s house in Leongatha. Vanessa, a new member has been in contact with Chris regarding her first project and says…  “Hi everyone, Thanks for having me in your group. I am very new to rug hooking and this is my first attempt. Chris Noorbergen is patiently guiding me and putting up with my hundreds of progress photos. Eventually it will be a floor rug (nothing like starting big)”.     

Can you believe it…   this is a “first” rug!

FROM THE EDITOR: As mentioned earlier, the stretcher frame can be enlarged.  The Wanneroo Rugmakers in Western Australia, had two large frames built to accommodate a group community project.  The “super” frame  seating up to six rugmakers was supported by the side rails on tables instead of sawhorses beneath, allowing space for 3 people to sit each side of the frame without knocking knees. The design outline and small sections of the rug were hooked and then the whole thing turned over and completed with proggy. The backing had been rolled over the top and bottom bars and work started in the middle, unrolled to access the rest of the design. As work on the wall hanging was coming to an end, the finished centre portion of the work became so heavy it was necessary to slide another wooden bar under it between the two tables for support . The group met in a shared space, so after each session the backing was unlaced from the side rails and top & bottom bars rolled back towards the middle, tied together, to be stored laying flat as a “long tube”.

The designs for these wall hangings were drawn up by the Community Arts Director from photos taken by local artist Lyn Franke, of Lake Joondalup and local market gardens – rows of lettuce in red soil seen below.