Melbourne Show 2019

We did it. The Melbourne Show for one day. It sounds simple, pack a case, go to show, demonstrate rug making...
There is always a lot of interest in rug making. We didn’t have our big proddy frames and it’s these proggy/clippy/peggy/proddy rugs that the children like to try. However Anne had a standing hoop frame for quilting so managed to let folk have a bit of a go... and lots of people watched or tried hooking too. Plus I got along with my Uzbekistan style rug #2.

It still surprises me that Rug Hooking is so little known in Australia, considering how it parallels quilting in the USA and always has.
But, we did meet Lee, who plans to come on Sunday, so slowly the group is expanding! And we have Veronica as well so that’s two more.

On the way in I bought a coffee at Belgrave’s Blacksmith Cafe and the lovely Alex was wearing this amazing cowl. Her grandfather had spun the wool and she had crocheted it herself. It is done in Crocodile stitch. It was so gorgeous and unusual I asked if I could photograph and post it. Thanks Alex.

I keep meaning to say that another old friend Jennifer Walton, who lives in Far North Queensland, is now a long distance member of our group. Jennie went crazy on tugging after a visit down to mine a little while back. I gave her Miriam’s excellent book and that’s the end of her!

Jen is onto her second rug, this time a hooked rug. She has a good eye as you will see. Pics to follow.

(Too lazy to come and bring a plate, obviously).

Plod, Plod....

I'm still working on it every weekend, although knitting has gotten in the way a little, and some embroidery of late... I leave it at my Dad's house, where I spend a couple of days a week. I used to bring it home every time, thinking (with weekly renewed enthusiasm) that I'd work on it between times, but never do.
However, having nothing else to do (much, at least) for two days (which includes a long evening in front of the tele) means I can get a lot done.

The green is stronger/clearer than in the photo (phone-photo). 

This motif is a different shade at each end, only because I was seeing what the other colour was like and whether or not it was better. I like them both so they'll stay different. Same with the oink flower motifs. Each is slightly different.
It's huge! And will take ages yet...

Using the old ironing board (with a mini one on top) gives me good standing height. Better for creaking back.

Close Up Of Bound Edges

 

I used my excess fabric to cut strips and bind the edges of the rug. I love it. It's a tiny weenie bit tedious but fits right in with the colour and texture. I tucked the ends under the top at the start, then the back for the finish of each worm.

The curved edges flute a little and next time I'll tack the hem first, however, it's fairly flat so I won't do another thing to this rug excepting stand on it!

Phew!

http://robynefmelia.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/its-over-i-did-it.html

Finished But For The Edge!

All the blether is here: http://robynefmelia.blogspot.com.au/

Where Is Uzbekistan Anyway?

And do I deserve to use it's good name for my conglomerate blotch of a rug?
This colour scheme alternatively delights and disturbs me. Sometimes it looks great. Unusual, dynamic, brave. Then in a different light it just looks weird.

The colours are fairly correct, saving for the red, which is strobing a bit in the photo.

Uzbeki Revamp

What can I say? It's completely changed and I've learnt heaps about planning. Now I'm having it at my bedside as it looks too small for the position I'd originally made it for. Even though it's quite large really, 150 x 60cm (59 x 24"). I do love it more with the blue, it feels French.
Now I need to dye some more cloth, just to finish the background and the foliage.
By the way girls, I have a couple of spare blankets. While you lovelies were busy hooking on Saturday, I was helping to clean out my Dad's cousin's flat (she's gone into a nursing home, quite happily). I'd put my hand up for her checked blanket, but there were 4-5 blankets there. Plus a girl from work has brought some in for me too! I'll bring them to October.

Grrr...!

Lucky the husband is being nice. Although if he says one more time that I ought to have done a few preliminary drawings, I may have to frighten HIM. Boys always have a solution that would be helpful IF I WAS ASKING FOR ONE!
With all of my vast experience in colour and tone, and with years of teaching how to find your pleasing group of colours and SO ON... EVERY time I delve into a new medium I don't immediately take the knowledge with me.
So, rather than build a pile of colours that look lovely together at the outset, I have followed wrong thinking and ended up with a big pile of... Mud!
I love each and every colour. The tans are just completely gorgeous, and so I enjoy every stitch/hook. I'm immersed in the beauty of the textile and the joy of fibre. Likewise the greens. Yeeuum!
I could go on.
So, note from every class I have taught in 18 years: Begin with the colours (fabrics) you simply MUST use. Then add others to the pile that make these colours look happy. You might want to have a limited palette... or not, but in everything, these colours must be happy together.

I have just removed the whole of the foliage. I haven't liked it ever but didn't listen.
Starting again. At least the background (a must have) and the flowers are almost completed.

Just About To Remove & Redo The Greens

Well, I may have intended the greens to become a bit obscure and 'hinted at', but it just looks too muddy. So, I'm taking almost all of the green out and redoing it in a stronger shade.

Then, who knows, maybe the tan will look wrong? I think I like the tan.

Definitely obscure, but there... my initials.

It's worth the bother to undo. If this is going to be around forever, then I'll be annoyed forever and I'll cringe when my great-great-grand-daughter's admire my work. Best to fix it now. After all, no-one s making me do this and what's the hurry?

Uzbekistan Update

A few more pics and blether here.

Just To Say...

I'm putting progress notes (so I remember what I've learned) over here on my blog. I'm sick of my own voice!

Something I have to say (having said that)..is: I usually learn  headlong...

but just getting together twice with the gals in our group has given me so much information! Let alone new, warm friendships.

Seriously, you can't beat it.

For example, steaming your finished work makes ALL of the difference! And fitting rows together (as in the photo)... and dyeing.

Soup!

I'm really pleased to have stumbled on this lovely group of ladies. Fanks guys!

 

I Blame Joy for Introducing Me To Dyeing

Started the new rug. It's quite long, maybe close to 2 metres? Based on a Uzbekistan historic embroidery (from a book I've had for years).
Below are the wools I've been dyeing lately. It's as much fun doing it and rolling it up as it is using it. Yummy! Cheers Joy!! Look what you've started!