Combining art, a power tool, frustration and unexpected calm, here’s what it can be like when you’re trying a tufting class for the first time.
This was a craft I knew little about, so was curious and intrigued about giving it a go as one of my 52 new things in the year. Turns out it’s absolutely brilliant!
What Is Tufting?
It’s like the next level up of making a rag rug. Instead of using rags and manually inserting them into a canvas, a tufting gun does all of the hard work of pushing in the threads, making it a much swifter process.
- It’s fantastically tactile as you get hands on with the materials.
- It is a creative activity where you make your own design and pick the colours that you want to use.
- It’s a wonderfully mindful experience that needs concentration, giving the mind a break from the to-do lists and general busy-ness.
- It’s a brilliant craft to try that will result in your very own unique and personal tufted rug!
My Experience Of Trying A Tufting Class
I bought the class as a birthday gift for my step-son’s fiancé, and we were the only people on the course that day.
Our instructor had already sketched our designs onto the canvas which meant we could get straight on with crafting. Firstly, he showed us how to load the thread into the tufting gun, which was much easier than you might think.
Next he gave us a demonstration of the basics, with lots of helpful tips. One recommendation was using the gun in a straight line. It was at this point that I began to regret my circular design! Thankfully, he gave me some pointers, even if my execution of them was a little bit wobbly.
Using The Gun
Picking from the amazing array of coloured threads, we began with a practice.
Pushing the tip of the gun very firmly into the canvas, I pulled the trigger. A rapid-fire burst of needle and thread thrust into the mesh. It was so quick! There was a line of thread, and it was relatively straight!
Ready to commit the thread to my design, I held my breath, and fired off my first row of thread. It wasn’t bad!
Working In Reverse - Trying A Tufting Class
Tufting is done back to front. The thread is inserted to the back of the canvas. This means that the creation you see infront of you as you work is quite sparse and neat.
It’s when you take a peek at the other side that you see your design in all it’s fluffy tufty glory.
Getting Carried Away
I got a bit carried away with the gun. Thankfully no one was injured, but my canvas took some pummelling. As a bit of a rule, anything that was an outline needed two layers of thread, and any areas that were being filled in needed space between each line. I forgot about this.
My sense of pride at the neatness of my work was only fleeting, as the instructor pointed out that the canvas had started to bulge. It we cut this out now, it would curl up on itself and make a ball rather than a nice flat rug.
Luckily, mistakes can be rectified easily with a simple bit of unpicking. It’s a good job it was easy as I had a fair bit to do, but after methodically pulling out lots of pieces of thread, my rug was back to being level.
Cutting And Sticking
With our tufting masterpieces complete, our instructor carefully lifted the canvases from their frames and trimmed around the edges of our designs.
Using another gun, this time of the glue variety, we stuck any excess canvas down at the back before applying a layer of felt in a colour of our choosing.
Our rugs were exceptionally fluffy, yet the impressive samples on the walls seemed to have a tighter tuft and smoother finish than ours. That’s because we hadn’t yet done the final part of the process.
A Close Shave - Trying A Tufting Class
All that was left to do was shave off the top of the tuft using what what looked like a regular electric shaver that you’d find in the barbers.
I’d never shaved hair before, and didn’t want to end up with a bald canvas, so my initial attempt was perhaps a tad too gentle, as it only removed a few of the very top wisps.
With a bit more confidence on my second attempt, I soon found my rhythm, and after a few firmer passes with the trimmer my rug was (mostly) neat and (mostly) level.
Trimming around the outlines with scissors to make them more prominent, we were done.
The End Results
We were both really pleased with our finished tufted rugs, although I seem to have been inspired by the Lidl branding when I picked my colours! They may not be perfect, they may not be shop quality, but they are uniquely ours and we’d had a brilliant experience making them.
Three hours had flown by, and during that time we’d embraced the flow of the creative work and enjoyed the calmness of the studio. So a bonus result was that it had given my busy thinking mind an opportunity to reset, refresh and recalibrate whilst it had been focused on being creative. Brilliant!
Is Tufting Hard To Learn?
Not at all. It’s relatively straight forward to learn the basics, and then it’s just a case of practicing and taking it steady as you go. Thankfully, it’s also easy to unpick any mistakes.
What Do You Need For A Tufting Class?
Everything was provided for our tufting class; all of the equipment, the canvas, and a huge choice of coloured threads.
We just needed to create a design and send it over in advance by email.
It will depend on where you go for your class, so check in advance.
Interested In Trying A Tufting Class Yourself?
- Our class was at Huffletuft in Leeds. You can find out more about them here, or follow them on Instagram and Facebook
- We booked the class through Class Bento. Take a look at their website as their are tufting classes across the UK.
- You can read here about the fabulous metal clay experience I also booked through Class Bento.
Cost Of Experience
- Our three hour class cost £35 per person, which included all of the materials to make our individual rugs.
- Depending on the size of the rug, and the class you attend, the prices will vary.
Recommendations
- Get creative. What’s your favourite thing? Can you make an image of it? If so, you can probably make it into a rug!
- Listen carefully. Your tutor will teach you how to use all of the equipment safely.
- Check-in with your instructor. They are there to help you create your masterpiece and offer help and advice as you go. Don’t be afraid to ask them if you’re doing it right for a bit of reassurance.
- Let go of perfect. Trying something new isn’t about being good at it — it’s about discovering what happens when you give it a go. Let it be messy. Let it be yours.
- Take your camera. Don’t forget to get some snaps – I’d love to see your creations if you do give it a try.
Well done for giving something new a go.
Thanks Rosie, it was great to try a new craft.
Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it.
Hope you have a great weekend ahead
Sally :o)
I’ve never heard of this before! Well done for trying it, I think crafts are so good for your mental health. They give you something different to focus on 🙂
I loved giving it a go! It’s so true, without even realising it you find yourself in the flow of what you’re doing and it’s such a nice way to give the thinking mind a bit of a breather.
Thank you so much for reading, and taking the time to comment – I really appreciate it.
Hope you have a brilliant weekend ahead.
Sally :o)