Next meeting of the Yarra Valley Rug Makers

HELLO FRIENDS OF THE YARRA VALLEY RUG MAKERS

OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD NEXT SATURDAY, 14TH NOVEMBER,

AT ANNE'S HOME IN WARRANDYTE.

ALL WELCOME

The Chaise Rug

The rug is 220 x 112cm. Backing fabric is nylon (I think). I 100% prefer to use linen, but couldn’t get it wide enough. I don’t really like working on this stuff as it splits a bit and it feels plasticky. The hooking is wool.

Much as I love hooking with silks etc., it’ll use tons of fabric and I don’t have it. I do, however, have heaps of old blankets and plenty of dye.
The drawing is roughly based on the Uzbekistan style of textile. I just love Central Asian textile designs, particularly Uzbeki, with their organic, hand-drawn, flowing motifs and pointiness. They are embroidered but lend themselves to hooking.
I made one already, which looked good in front of the beautiful old chaise (and rubbish in its intended position), so decided to do this new biggie and the first can go somewhere else. The chaise is covered in deep cerulean blue French (hand-woven) brocade, the absolute centre-piece in the house, so any rug needs to be a bit glowing and a bit subtle, hence the warm grey background. It deserves a major chunk of my time!
In the central, large polka-dot area, The big orangey-yellow dots are raised, Waldoboro style, which should look good as seen from an angle. That bit will be under the middle of the chaise.

Melbourne Stitches and Craft Show 2015

Phew, what a busy but fruitful few days it was.

Wednesday was setup day for Anne and myself [Chris]. Thankfully we were able to drive our cars in right next to the entrance, but as soon as we had everything inside, we needed to shift our cars into the parking lot to make room for the next round of people coming in. Having forgotten the compulsory iridescent coloured safety clothing we were able to borrow some from the administration desk. One size fits all obviously. :)
Every day was busy from morning to evening, with people in awe of this beautiful craft that they had never heard of, as they oohed and aahed at the rugs on display. However to some people it was a craft their grandmothers partook in as they- then children, had the job of cutting strips for the proggy rugs. At the time, the rugs were not appreciated, they were just practical, utilitarian items made of rags for the floor, not to be kept once their usefulness had passed.

Robyne's beautiful self designed new project

One lady shared that that her father made many hooky rugs which was taught to him while in the navy during their leisure time. It no doubt relaxed them as it took their minds off the dangerous situations they sometimes found themselves in. They pulled one loop after another, while at the same time stimulating their creative minds.
While another woman listened to this story, she shared that she had one of her father's unfinished rugs hidden in a cupboard for many years. She had taken it out periodically, only to put it back, not knowing what to do with it. The light bulb came on as she listened to our ladies explain and demonstrate to her the technique of rug hooking. She may just take it out one more time, this time to complete what her father started. What a treasure it would be for her, to have her father's rug hanging on her wall, started by him, finished by herself. It will become her 'Love Rug'.

I was able to share with people my Mission Fundraiser, Rug Hooking Workshops, being held in Loch and there was quite some interest in my project, with a neighbourhood house asking whether I would come and do a workshop with them. Off course I said...'yes please' :)
One beautiful young fibre artist, cum spinner/ weaver came all the way from Bairnsdale. She had a go at pulling loops and was a natural. Maybe we will see one of her rugs right here on display at the Stitches and Craft Show.

Last day Sunday, packing up, until...who knows when.

Robyne's Proggy Rug No.1

Using the Kaitag Rug/Embroidery as inspiration, I've drawn this onto hessian for my clippy rug. I have to think it through a lot yet, as it takes an enormous amount of cloth to complete. I want to use Grandma's curtains, which are peacock blues and very precious. No wasting... once it's cut, it's no good for anything else.
Of course, the patterning is 'fuzzed' with clippy's, as opposed to hooked rugs, so there's no point having a lot of detail. Just broad patterning.
I intend to outline the pattern in taupe/creams and then use reds, deep pinks, turquoise/peacock's and oranges. Very rich colours.

The rug below is another example of the type. I like the little bits of red. It's conducive to the fact that you run out of colours and may need to add bits of whatever you have at hand.

October meeting of the Yarra Valley Rugmakers

Hi all would be rug makers and old time rug makers.

This is just to let you know that instead of the second Saturday of the month as per usual, our meeting will be held on the third Saturday- 17th October, 10AM at Anne's in Warrandyte.

We hope to hear all about Anne's adventures of the Triennual meeting of TIGHR conference in Victoria, Canada.

Also, just a gentle reminder that we all need to bring along our rugs, wool, and whatever you have for display at the Stitches and Craft show in Caulfield on October 22nd to 25th, from 10AM to 4.30 PM.

 Click HERE if you would like to have a little look.

The Yarra Valley Rugmakers will be representing the Australian Rug Makers Guild at the Stitches and Craft Show and promoting the craft of rug making in Victoria

You can find them HERE

September meeting of the Yarra Valley Rug Makers

Well, we certainly chose a most magnificent day to hold our meeting in Loch. It was sunny, with a light breeze and we were able to have the doors wide open in the rug room.

One of our biggest meetings yet, we had nine ladies present on the day, with three new ladies and Jenny's daugher who used the driving time to Loch to get her hours up in preparation for her driver's licence. It was lovely to have Esther with us.Welcome to the Yarra Valley Rug makers Jane, Anne Marie and Christine [not yours truly] and Esther. :)

With the Stitches and Craft show coming up at the Caulfield race course from 22nd to 25th October we had things to talk about; what to ring, volunteers to organize, rugs for display and so on. Click HERE if you want to find out more about the show

Our new member Anne Marie was working on a lovely proggy, while Jane started a small rug of a bird and Christine completing the autumn leaf started at the workshop with Chris.

These ladies certainly catch on quickly. :)
It was great to see Robyne again after some time being absent. She showed us her newest rug designed by herself, which she is hooking on a synthetic backing from Bec Anderson. It is going to be a real show stopper this rug.
 

Anne was working on her Gene Shepherd, Fowl Mood while Jen continued her Tightrope to the sun rug.

I, Chris seemed to be running around making coffees as we were a little limited in space for the nine of us and it was easier this way. I worked my her oriental rug for about half an hours out of the day I think. But that's OK :)
I also helped Jane get started on her first rug. Some of our women who had not been at the last meeting had a wonderful time going through our bags of woolen fabric donated by Judy from Strath Matters. We have decided that rather than divide it up, it will be there for anyone who needs wool for a particular project to take what they need.
Sandra is coming to the end of her first rug of Shaun the sheep. Looking great Sandra.

Sorry about the messy Blog today. It won't publish how I have arranged it in the draft. Hhhhh

September meeting of the Yarra Valley Rug Makers

Hi Folks

The next meeting of the Yarra Valley Rugmakers will be held at Chris' home in the beautiful town of Loch on Saturday 12th September. New members always welcome. 

If rug making interests you and you would like to have a go, you can contact us on contact form.