Latest Workshop Details

Hope you’re well and enjoying the first of the sunshine!

I’ve got a new rag-rug workshop running this Spring which is for hooky rugging, using a small frame (provided!)
not using wool or a latch hook, but using recycled fabrics to create great pictures and more complex designs.
It’s really easy, requires no experience and no, you don’t have to be wildly artistic! The first course is running on April 16th in Downham Market, from 10 am-12pm.
£15.00 per person to include the loan of all tools and frames.

On May 3rd I’m going to be running a proddy rag-rug session
in the Break Charity Shop in Downham Mkt from 6pm-8pm
£15.00 per person to include the loan of all tools and frames.

Then on Wednesday May 18th 2011 I’m teaming up with 
Bluebells the Florist in Downham Market
to offer a rag rug, tea and cake session in their tearooms!
Time wise it’ll run from approx 2pm-4pm, and we’ll be making
proddy rugs.
As well as rugging the price includes a pot of tea and any homemade cake of your choice
for £20.00 per person.

Once again all equipment is provided. Please contact me for more details
for these courses or for house parties .
Places are filling up fast and are limited so if you fancy coming along please email 
ragsbagsandbaubles@gmail.com

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

http://www.rags-bags-and-baubles.co.uk 

where does the time go?

Two minutes ago it was January and now I turn around and find that we're half way through MArch.
So what's been going on here at RB&B? Well first of all i ran a workshop at a local highschool.
Which was huge fun - there will be photos eventually - and I'm currently working on mastering a new technique using a new tool - new to me that is not new to rugging.
It's called a shuttle needle or shuttle hook and really  speeds up the process of hooking.




The tools are quite expensive new (around £50.00 including p&p)  so I've had great fun tracking down vintage examples - often from the States - at a fraction of the new price.  I imagine lots of you have got them in old workboxes and have no idea what they're for -
until recently ... me neither!

The earliest one I've bought is from 1929. That one hadn't arrived yet but once it does I'll take some photos and do a rogues gallery
of vintage tools.

So new rugs then - done on a frame, shuttle hooking lends itself to work where there isn't too much detail - although this can be added by hooking it in afterwards.

This wild sea and little boat is my first proper attempt, it's based on a print by illustration, Cathy Hill. It measures around 54" x 28"
 I'm now making a second which is around the same size and
really enjoying it. these are photos of the work in progress:



The rug is made on hessian from old tee shirts.
All these images are of the front
(you work from the back)

So first of all I drew a picture on the hessian in chalk and when I was pleased with the design redrew it in indelible marker .



The design is then worked with narrow strips of fabric