This weekend is the first time I’ve taught a rug making workshop where there have been four rugs on the go at a time. I like to mix up approaches from different countries. It’s a good way for people to experience a range of rug making techniques but it also allows the body to have a breather as we change from one method to the other. At the end of the workshop you have a good idea of techniques available to you but also which ones you like, which can be done alone and which are communal activities.
We’ve used: rubbing, rolling with hands, forearms, legs and ropes, walking on it, bashing with stones, a mallet and a home made tamping tool. This last, thanks to my husband Simon.
Wooden tamping tool
It’s made from an old gardening tool handle and a piece of tanalised timber and was well received by most. Ali used it whilst walking on her rug and only hit her foot twice. Result!
We’ve had a really good weekend and there’s been some stunning work produced, which is all the more remarkable when you consider how little experience some people had. I hope to show some more photos soon but here’s a few to be going on with.
rug by Gill Manthorp
rug by Liz Stanley
rug by Alison Brindley
rug by Yvonne Le Mare
