Workshop at Milpara, Korumburra

Yesterday we had the most wonderful group of ladies attend a workshop in aid of overseas missions, at Milpara Community House in Korumburra, Vic.

After being shown the 'how to' of both the hooky and proggy techniques of rug making, these lovely ladies chose one technique to start a project of their own. They all chose to do a hooky rug and decided to use one of the owl patterns already stamped on the hessian, instead of opting for the other available patterns.

Beryl and  Jean's beautiful show and tell, cut loop hooked rug started by their
 mother  many years ago and which they now hope to finish. 

During the day they learned about colour planning, value, transferring patterns onto the backing fabric, tools, backing fabrics, where to find inspiration, choosing materials for hooking and much more.

A delightful day was had by all and the children in Missions in both Uganda and India are the grateful recipients of the workshop fees paid by these lovely ladies.
And on behalf of the children, I thank you as well. :)

front of the rug

Beryl and Jean brought in a rug started by their mother years ago. It seemed to be worked with a punch needle as the pattern was stamped on the back, However half of the loops were cut and the other in their original loops. They think she intended to cut all the loops. After cutting the loops it looks like the pile was brushed to soften the pile. Very interesting indeed. They will now hunt around in their mother's stash to see if they can find the wool she used on this wonderful heirloom, so they can complete what she started. I'm wondering if it is an old Semco design, Maybe others can shed some light on this?

back of the rug with pattern stamped on

Some of the ladies in our group belong to the Coal Creek Spinners and are showing their own exhibition at Coal Creek at present. Lots of talent in this group. One of them, Janet is a resident spinner at at this venue and is often seen in her old time costume spinning away and answering lots of question from visitors. She showed a great deal of interest in rug making at our recent exhibition at the gallery there. Thus she decided to do the workshop and bring her friends along too, thanks Janet.
Thank you ladies for a very interesting day. I aways learn so much from everyone. :)

Noelle and Janet the spinner

Home Schooling Proggy Workshop

Yesterday, I had the most wonderful opportunity and privilege to teach a group of twelve home schooled children the craft of proggy rug making.
I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly they picked it up. They all drew their own creative designs onto the hessian backing and very soon they were off and progging away in all colours of the rainbow. I was absolutely delighted at their skill levels, given their limited tools. Some even got inventive and brought thick wooden knitting needles. Most of the children used the proggers and home made pvc frames I had provided for their first time though, although some used embroidery hoops. The children will continue to work on their project throughout the term and I am looking forward to being invited back to see their finished mats.
Some parents, when they saw how much their children enjoyed the craft offered to make pvc frames for them.

If you would like to learn the craft of either proggy or hooky rug making in a small group setting please leave a message for me [Chris]. I give workshops in my home at Loch, of which the proceeds are donated to missions in India and Uganda.

Milpara Hooky workshop in Korumburra, Vic

six were present at this workshop

Chris' workshops for Missions had its second workshop at Milpara House in Korumburra today with six people in attendance. This was a first try at hooky for everyone bar one person. Barbara attended the first workshop a few months ago. After a practice run on my stretcher frame most got the hang of it and were off hooking their chosen project on their borrowed PVC frames in the first hour of the day.

Hayman

After a few trial runs, where she tried out several designs of her own, Susan settled on a colourful geometric pattern.

Susan

Morgen

Morgen [photo below] designed her own hot air balloon [seen side on] and started by outlining in a bold turquoise colour. She will continue with her 'colouring in' at home.

Hayman's [at far right] artistic ability and natural creativity made up her design as she went along, using a variety of textiles from wool fabric to home-spun wool, knitted fabric and sari silk yarn.

Barbara

This was Barbara's second workshop and she continued working on her chosen daisy design, using synthetic, wool and yarn to create this lovely colourful project.
 
Linda [below] worked on her technique but then decided to have a go at her owl design, which

Linda

was her choice of pattern in the kit. Doing great Linda, go girl.

Merril

Merril felt more comfortable working on her hooking technique but she caught up with the others sooner than she thought and decided to work her project as a hit and miss design using whatever fabrics were on hand.

It was a full day of learning, fun and fellowship. 
At the end of the day everyone had made new friends and maybe even catch up again at a local hook-in, which may well be at my home in Loch. Cheers