The next get together of the Yarra Valley Rug Makers is at Anne's home in Warrandyte on Saturday September  13^th. Everyone is welcome. For more information please fill out the contact form and we'll get back to you asap.

Looking forward to seeing you all there. :)

Grandma's (Pure!) Nylon Bambi Rug

Many years ago when my Grandma died (1993), I saved most of her clothes to use for crafts.

She had a heap of overcoats and loads of ‘Pure Nylon’ tops and pant suits, many of which were paisley and bright. Quite lairy was my old Grandma. Born in 1909, she found her heels (but not her temperament) in the 60’s. Well, with the fabrics and ‘kitsch’ of the era. I have lots of her old bric-a-brac and have added much of my own now too. What was once my Grandma’s style is now my style too. I have a collection of little porcelain fawns and Bambi’s, for example, which is a definite a Grandma influence.

I madeWagga’s out of Grandma’s coats, and still use remnants in all sorts of things: blankets, pot-holders and rugs.

When I first collected the nylons, I imagined using them in hooked rugs, what else after all? They don’t feel so nice to wear and can get a bit smelly, ew. I had bought, or rather borrowed Joan Mortimer’s fabulous book on Rug Hooking, so here was reason enough to save these quite lovely fabrics and save the memories that went with them.

Years went by. I made my ‘Grandma Curtains’ with some, embroidering notes and letters and recipes from my childhood and my life with Grandma and Mum. We three sewers. These adorn my sewing room, appropriately.

But this week, after having a bundle of colours made up for the last year, I started my Grandma’s Bambi rug (name in progress). It’s been sitting in the back of my mind for so long! As ideas do. All I want to do now is work on the rug, even though I really have no place for it in my tiny little house. Let alone anywhere for a pink deer rug! (I can hear your comments about that from here, and I am going ahead so you see, I agree).

Anyhow, the main reason I wanted to write about this is that I feel the intimacy of my Grandma so very much, doing this. Grandma was a quick sewer. Always eager to try something new and get on with it. She used pinking shears rather than zig-zag on the seams (pre overlocker days). I’m not like that. I’m fastidious, but have otherwise almost completely morphed her into myself.

As I pull apart these nylon clothes, I see her quick and ‘strong-but-not- blind’ hemming and remember when I got her to make my end-of-year dress for dressmaker’s college (myself a lazy 16 year old) and lost marks for the pragmatic but not saleable, invisible hem. And last night as I unpicked another outfit, I discovered Grandma’s pencil marks for her darts. It brought a tear to my eye and a pang of loneliness for her and for my Mum. We three sewers who shared so much.

Only I, remaining, know these things about my Grandma. When I look inside these old clothes, I know instantly if she made it and that makes me smile. I still miss her terribly even after this time, but she is hooked into posterity with this very bright, pink, maybe a little bit kitsch, Bambi rug.

Not sure about the background... scenery? Grass and sky? We'll see.

Next Meeting A Bit Later Than Usual

We are having our next get together on the 16th of August in Chirnside Park / Lilydale.
Usually we go on the second Saturday of the month but with lots of gallivanting going on around the traps and our wonderfully flexible natures, we decided to go for the third Saturday! Just like that!

So, it's gonna be at Joy Marshall's home and there'll be lots of exciting stories of her trip to the UK (ruggy stories too), and more than likely too much food.

 

Please ring Robyne on 0410876096 or email here or at r.m.square@bigpond.com

Step right up!

A new rugger in the making

 Nicole is Anne's daughter who lives in Philip Island.  After seeing the bright
colours in the proggy rug Anne was working on, she thought she would like to try making one for herself.  She did very well indeed and it only took her 6 months to make hers, it took Anne a year to make hers.  Not bad for a first effort from someone who doesn't really  have any interests in any craft.  But then she is a busy mum of two lovely girls and works full time. She found it very therapeutic and can't wait to start another one. 

Soooo, anyone can be a rug maker in the making. All you need is a hook, some backing fabric and some wool, and if you wish, a frame. please consider yourself invited to our next Rug Hooking gathering in August. watch this space for details or send us an email in the contact form on the top right of the page.

The Ruggy Seat Covers

OK, here they are. I like the first (pink tabby) the best.

I want to avoid the direction I'm heading, style-wise, and need to think on it a bit.

I like him, and I love the colours, but...

Blossom. You can still get a pattern for Blossom if you email me at r.m.square@bigpond.com. For free that is. If you're new, there are a few tips you might find useful.

There is minimal dyeing here, just the tan colours in the ears. It makes for a different look I feel, and may be part of what I like. I love dyeing though, so there's loads to ponder.

Foxy didn't feel as if it needed bobbles. It's quite chunky. Overall, Foxy gives a lovely warm hue to the kitchen.

Developing your own (my own) style means thinking about (and applying) what you like and don't like. I find that if I have references around me while I work (in Foxy's case it was various photo's of foxes) then I will go in that direction unless I purposely redirect my thinking.

I guess that indicates that there is a style that comes unbidden (and is therefore my own natural tendency), and a style that I seek to satisfy my brain (for example, I can truly hate my drawing style. I have always to apply discipline to avoid going to a hateful place). It's better if I draw my picture, from whatever references I like, then refer to my drawing instead of the photo's. If I get that right, the rest will follow. Ish.

But, it's not a biggie. It's not Rembrandt. It's all fun and when I say fun I mean heaps of fun. Rug hooking is a lovely thing to do.

Joy in the UK

We've just received a photo from the UK from one of our members. Joy is visiting her daughter and while there, stopped in at Heather Ritchie's studio in Reeth.
This photo was sent on by Mirriam Miler, Fibre Artist and Rug Hooker from Narrawilly Proggy Rugs in Milton, NSW.

Left to right- Heather Ritchie, Joy Marshall

Next Rug meeting for the Yarra Valley Rug Makers

It's that time of the month again when we meet together for chatting, hooking and fellowship.
Wouldn't you just love to learn how to hook a rug? Well, the opportunity to do just that plus meet lots of interesting new friends at the same time, while enjoying lunch together, will happen next Saturday 12th July at the home of Chris in Loch, South Gippsland.

We also have the privilege of having Miriam Miller and Jacqui Thompson join us for the day. Miriam is the author of Proggy and Hooky Rugs. For further details of her book click on the 'Book Review' label on the right side of the page.
'Proggy and Hooky Rugs' Books are available on the day as well as one copy of Heather Ritchie's book 'Hooked Rug Story Telling; The Art of Heather Ritchie' by Lesley Mary Close, which features  comprehensive record of beautiful story rugs. hooked by Heather.

For more information contact us at victorianrugmakers@gmail.com or leave a message in the contact form. 
Hope to see you there. Cheers