It’s been almost a year since the last post on this Blog, when the COVID19 restrictions began to ease, and groups could meet again in person even though in many places in Australia more lockdowns have occurred.
We’re still not back to “normal”, as those of us who live in Western Australia have no guarantee we can travel to the Eastern States without the possibility of having to go into isolation on our return. International travel is definitely not allowed!
Guild Secretary, Miriam Miller (Pres. Emeritus) kept busy during the lockdown – not only putting out her monthly newsletter but working on her second BIG rug. The first one graces the floor of her living room –
Miriam’s 2020 project, 3 mtrs (9ft 10in) long with a depth of 80cm (2ft 8in) was destined for the wall.
Here Miriam tells of it’s progress, from beginning to end, shown hanging on the wall, of her home at Narrawilly, New South Wales, Australia ……….
“I wanted to make a wall hanging for my living room. The ceiling is high, it follows the roof line and goes up to a peak. I wanted the long wall hanging to hang high. I used primitive linen I had purchased in Canada for the backing.
As the wall hanging is 3 metres long, I have a join in the centre. I did this by lying one end over the other and stitching down each side. A little harder to hook through double. I hooked a line around the outside of the pattern area. Then a good friend Annmaree kindly drew drew a sunflower design with mountains in the background.
Annmaree drew it beautifully for me, but I had to simplify some of the design as I could not hook all the details she drew. Plus I had to add more leaves in some of the spaces.
I started with the sky because that appeared easier for me. I gathered many T- Shirts in shades of blue for the sky. I had to make sure I used the same shade all the way along, and did not put too much in one areaand then run out further on. I used colours as found.
When I started the mountains, I wanted to have a lot of the same colour, so I extravagantly ordered some wool flannel from Karen Kaiser in Canada. This I also used for the leaves, as wanted to stick to the same green. I also dyed plenty of blanket too for this rug. Materials used were T-shirts, track suits, overdyed blankets, dyed wool flannel.
My son plants sunflowers in the paddocks around my house not for any reason other than to look bright and happy. I kept studying photos of these.
The sunflowers are many shades of yellow, because they were all the T-shirts I could find, and I think this looks better than all one shade. I kept looking at these photos to help me with colours and shadows.
Dyes, I used Landscape dyes for parts of the mountain. Using a dye called ‘Mountain Blue, sometimes mixed with other blues, and I used this too for shadows. I used a dye called Alfalfa for the leaves. And Alfalfa paler and mixed with other greens for the stalks and the veins on the leaves. The background behind the small flowers in the distance I used green spotted with blues. Landscape dyes dye wool and silk.
I worked this rug on my Snapdragon Lap Frame, and used a 6 ml hook made for me by Les Ritchie in Reeth Yorkshire.
I used a cutting board and rotary cutter as used by quilters for cutting the strips I cut off seams and hems and then cut stripswith roller cutter.
I worked three rows of loops of blue as a border. I did not want anything too distracting.
Finishing the edges. I cut away extra backing leaving about 5 cms. along each side and the bottom edge, and then using a spray glue suitable for plastic, cork and several otherthings besides fabric, I sprayed both sides, left until tacky then pressed firmly together. After this I used some hessian tape along the sides and bottom doing the same thing. I used this method on my large blue floor rug and after being walked on all the time for several years it is still as I glued it. With the wall hanging I next hemmed along the top edge as I wanted to have a pocket for a thin metal strip to keep the top firm and straight. Then I made 5 loopsalong the top edge, to take the hooks when hung
Here it is lying on the floor waiting to be hung
Hanging it – using Laser line for centre …….
Done – Thank you John and Shaun.
From the Editor;
Thank you Miriam for sharing your project with us.
During the past year, Guild members found many ways to get together – online groups and workshops. With extra time some entered Exhibitions or completed enough works to hold their own.
Watch this space for more; Stay safe and keep on hooking
As the COVID-19 restrictions ease, many groups have started gathering images and information to record what their members were doing during isolation. Stuck on their own, most people began to reach out online to connect and share with friends, it took them in some surprising directions.
Seeing the image of a red-tailed black cockatoo posted on Facebook by Sue who works in an indigenous community in Finke in the Northern Territory and who is eager to learn rughooking, prompted me at home in Western Australia, to draw up a rug hooking pattern for Sue based on the image and including flowers and leaves from a tree in my front garden.
A series of photographs to document the process was sent to Kira in Albany who had offered to “stitch” them together into a video. Kira’s search online for a cockatoo call to create a soundtrack for the video, led her to discover the image shared was showing on the website of the Museum of WA – photographer; Keith Lightbody.
Aware of copyright rules, I contacted the Museum for their permission, and also contact details for the photographer. Permission to use the image was given by both. Keith works with educators sharing his extensive knowledge of photography of birds and macro wildflowers – seen here on his website.
As an educator Keith Lightbody was interested to hear the black cockatoo design was to be used as a collaborative teaching project and spoke of a textile piece of importance to him through a family connection.
“One of my treasured possessions is my Grandmother’s hand sewn quilt. I lived with my Grandma at Maddington for a number of years and she explained that in 1933 the Western Mail had printed a new wildflower design every week. This was part of an Australia wide activity to sew a quilt that included 24 wildflower images in nine inch (23cm) squares, and 1 pattern repeated 25 times. When she had completed by hand sewing all the pieces they were then assembled into a quilt with a plain border. Grandma (Phyllis Blanche Gardiner) was born in 1891 and living with her gave me a unique perspective on life. She was incredibly dedicated to family and an avid gardener – I learned many things from her!”
Keith provided this additional information about the Wildflower quilt taken from Bridget Jolly Chronicle-Quilts Part 2.2
“The interest in Australian flora and fauna engendered from the 1889s by Federation, the 1903s added much national natural scientific study and discovery. In Sydney the artist Eirene Mort (1879-1977) who returned to Australia in 1906 from six years study in London from 1899, ‘designed extensively for embroidery’.37 For three of those years in London she studied at the Royal School of Needlework, South Kensington. Through the Royal School of Needlework’s employment service she gained a number of design jobs, the most important of which resulted in designs for textiles featuring Australian floral motifs. 37 C Menz, Australian Decorative Arts 1829s-1990s: Art Gallery of South Australia. P.64.”
Funny how one thing leads to another …………. over a 100 years later The Royal School of Needlework in London (mentioned above) came up in an online conversation I had with Sally, a rug hooker from Queensland, we’d met at Judi Tompkins studio on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
Sally is now in London doing a 3-year course at the Royal School of Needlework and has been sharing a Blog of her experiences – her travels prior to starting at RSN and images of her progress – which she has given permission to be shown here. Her last post said ….
“During these last few months I have been progressing through the third and final term of my First Year on the Future Tutors Course, and what a strange and interesting learning experience this term it has been!
All Tuition across the entire term has been delivered either digitally/online. The way the RSN tutors have adapted their delivery and supported our learning has been brilliant.
Alongside the usual Art and Design classes this term, the principle embroidery techniques that I am studying are Botanical Silkshading and Mixed Whitework .
Botanical Silkshading
For the Silkshading subject I choose a Waterlily blossom as my source image, and a rich blue Silk Dupion as my ground fabric. We also needed to include some stem and a leaf with a turnover in the final design, however as Waterlily leaves can be really big I ended up including only a partial leaf rather than the whole thing in my composition. Stitching this Waterlily has proven to be challenging as the particular flower I am stitching has some turnover element within most petals, as well as the very obvious larger turnover on the partial leaf.
I have not yet completed this piece though it is well underway, and once finished this piece will still need to be hard mounted in the traditional RSN style.
Whitework
The Mixed Whitework classes have covered a wide range of whitework techniques such as Shadow Work, Broderie Anglaise, Richelieu, Pulled patterns and Drawn Thread embroidery. There are actually 3 distinct pieces of combined embroidered works to be handed in for this subject and each of these is worked on the different type of ground fabric. Alternating across each of these techniques has proven to be challenging as sometimes you just need to push ahead with embroidering on the one piece – once you have got the tension just right.
As I was developing the design for the mixed ‘Pulled and Drawn Thread’ piece I kept thinking about where I was being pulled and drawn to during the lockdown, and as a result I decided to try to design this piece to look like an antique map of Australia. While the piece is still in progress I am happy how it is coming along so far, though I still have a lot of additional Drawn Thread work to do.
Like so many others I find myself suffering a little from Lockdown Lassitude so everything I am sampling or embroidering seems to be taking longer to complete than I had expected.
So for now the stitching journey continues and thankfully the lockdown is easing a little, and the days are getting longer and warmer as Summer is on the way.”
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, with classes being held online and no travel allowed, Sally had more time to search the web for needlework designs. This book on embroidery, crochet and yes, even rug hooking, caught her attention “The Home Art Book of Fancy Stitchery” by Flora Klickmann (1867-1958) Published in 1912 by Girls Own Paper & Womans Magazine. [Read More]
Some of the early crochet patterns from original books, now in the public domain, can be downloaded from the Antique Pattern Library. Click the link and scroll down to page 52 for the section about rug making, particularly Knitted Piece Rugs made from Clippings – according to the author, these are best known in England using pieces of wool fabric about 3 inc long 1 inc wide, usually stitched (hooked) into canvas (what we know as proggy or proddy rugs) however she “found a knitted piece rug easier to do and wears better” – these are small woollen pieces knitted into strips using knitting cotton then stitched together.
The author talks about homely rugs in New England and many out-of-the-way villages in other States of the USA and references the circular braided rugs –
“These are made in a variety of ways, though the main principle is the same; old stuff is knitted or crocheted into something approaching a rope, and this is then coiled round and round (starting from the centre) till a round or oval mat is formed of the desired size.“
Other types of braided rugs mentioned were, plaited/braided – from lengths of heavy woollens or rugs made simply from strips of rags, knit up into a rug on two very thick wooden needles.
Below is a contemporary version, knitted by Miriam Miller (NSW) using not rags but strips of T-shirts in my favourite colours.
Knitted rug (strips of T-shirts) by Miriam Miller(NSW-Aust) hiding an ugly black chair. Small hooked piece by Michelle Sirois-Silver(BC-Canada)
From the easy access of online research, we learn much about the beginnings of the old crafts.
The question is, how can we interest the younger generation to want to learn to carry them on. Children take quickly to the simple rug making techniques – young adults on the other hand are keen to travel, have busy lives with work and families of their own and with limited time – these slow techniques that seem to require large stashes of fabric, just don’t fit in to their busy lifestyle. It’s not until retirement approaches, does learning a craft come to mind, and pulling loops is not high on the list.
We need to do something creative and innovative to change this.
Most of what you find online about rugmaking originates in the Northern Hemisphere. We in Oz should not see this question from the standpoint of the North … we are different because we don’t have the history and the investment (financially and historically) in this craft …. it’s a business in the North (supplies and designs) that many instructors have taken online, unable during COVID-19 to travel to teach at workshops and attend fairs – but not here. We’re more likely to come up with our own designs, fashion tools locally and to “join forces” with another craft or craft group … so there is more interest in Mixed-media which seems to appeal to younger folks. “Rules” and strict adherence to how it has “always been done in the old days” is off putting for many. Designs and techniques need to be more flexible, we need to allow and encourage more innovation, working on smaller projects seems to be the way to go for beginners.
It’s important to recognise and validate that both crafts (in general) and rugmaking (in particular) fall along a continuum …. one isn’t “better” than another …. gaining confidence and interest in ANY craft/rug work should lead to a curiosity about the other techniques. Certain “schools” of rugmaking will not survive or grow in this country since they are so restrictive in the techniques, patterns and materials …. the artistic and precise work we see online from the North is great, wonderful pieces that appear to replicate tapestries, however this maybe daunting for a beginner.
Recognising that in this climate (even in southern Australia) we don’t need lots and lots of rugs …. and for those older members … rugs are a hazard on the floor, maybe we should be looking at combining rug hooking with other textile techniques and starting beginners off to create smaller home-wares projects, possibly even wearable art. This fits right in with the current emphasis on re-use, recycle, buy less and value hand-made. The current philosophy of sustainability takes us back to how the craft of rugmaking began. The difference is we’re now seen as doing something worthwhile for the planet and the old stigma of reusing, something done out of necessity by the poor, has gone. Besides the recycled materials are brighter in colour which gives the pieces a more contemporary look.
The world of technology allows us learn of these old crafts and network, to be inspired to continue to create and appreciate the value of handmade items. However, while technology played a big part in the lock-down – families came together and there was a resurgence of board games and jigsaw puzzles along with an interest in actually learning a craft.
The question is, as the restrictions are eased, will this interest in a slower creative lifestyle continue, or will life go back to the frenetic pace it was? You’re welcome to leave your thoughts and comments below or email and send images of your work and messages to rughookingaustralia@gmail.com
This surely must have been THE most unusual Easter holiday period ever!
People confined to their homes but connecting with friends and family online in so many creative ways.
Easter church services given in empty churches but seen around the world! TV images of parishioners in the USA, sitting in cars to attend services held at drive-in theatres.
Drive-by Easter egg drop-offs. The Easter Bunny designated as an essential worker in Western Australia and given permission to cross closed regional boundaries preventing travel to areas traditionally a big draw for holidaymakers on the Easter 4-day long weekend – normally a weekend of church services, visiting relatives, sporting activities and that last trip to the beach to soak up the Autumn sun. Except this year in Perth, Saturday was the hottest day on record for this time of the year.
This year “backyard camping” was the big deal. Friends who were looking forward to holidaying in their new travel trailer – moved it off the driveway onto the front lawn so their 10-year-old twins didn’t miss out on a camping weekend.
For those with children this period of isolation has had the benefit of time to spend together. In our area, apart from leaving home to shop for food and visit the Doctor/pharmacy, you are allowed, while maintaining social distancing, to exercise with one other person or members of your household. For those of us lucky enough to live by the beach the forced break in our busy schedules has been a positive – especially with the warm weather, making a daily swim really enjoyable.
However, most Nanas and Poppas are missing being with their grandchildren especially over the holidays and some who live alone and are not connected digitally, are desperate for company and contact with the outside world. This is where screen time, usually to be limited, has becomes so important. It seems all organizations are going digital – from local sewing groups to national museums and art galleries …… We’re stuck at home, but have never been so connected to the rest of the world.
So I’m sharing, images and information about, or from, Guild members, starting with ……
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: These images were posted in a Facebook group by Yvonne Dalton and are shared here with her permission.
Yvonne said – These are the result of a forgotten pot of dye…. forgot I had put cloth into dye…….found pot and felt elated. Cleaning cloth may take some time. Third wash with small scrubbing brush to remove stuck vegetation. Lots of oxidation….cloth scrunched, not tied or bound.
NORTHERN TERRITORY – Finke : Shared by guild member Sue Ware
Ever wanted to learn to weave?? Our brand new tutorial is now live and we could not be more excited!!
While we’re all couped up at home, we thought it’d be the perfect time to share our knowledge and bring some joy into your lives. Our artists often speak about the power of weaving as a form of meditation, calming the mind and allowing stress to melt away. Learn-to-Weave Kits available at
Huge thanks to the talented Mimi Catterns for creating this beautiful little video. We can’t help by smile every time we watch it!! NPY Women’s Council
NORTHERN TERRITORY: The Alice Springs Beanie Festival like everything else, had to be cancelled this year but from their Facebook page we learn that the Beanie Festival organizers are planning an online competition in June… and need to know how many Beanieologists are willing to take part. Maximum 2 beanies, they can be for sale or not. The Festival organizers will share images online and have voting for people’s choice. They’re looking for enough entries to keep going so are saying – go ahead keep creating!!! pass on this message and keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates !!! As of 15th April the “Head Beanieologist” says
“I’m not sure of the format yet just meeting with the techs. There will be a form to fill in for each beanie, they won’t need swingtags. 2 photos of each beanie anyway you feels best to show the workmanship of the beanie”.
Margaret Stuart a member of the Wanneroo Rugmakers in Western Australia has images of her felted beanie (in Easter Egg colours) ready to go.
Then there’s this from ArtWear Publications – (publisher of Embellish, Textile Fibre Forum, Yarn, Felt and Vintage Made)
Embellish magazine has a great themed postcard swap in each issue, with a $100 AUD prize up for offer.
The current postcard swap is themed “Layers” – you don’t need a Facebook page to enter this. It’s a matter of using any technique or combination of techniques to create a textile postcard. Postcard size approximately 4”x 6” (a quarter of A4 size page). Click here to read full details about this “swap”.
Something fun to create while you are staying at home? Especially something for Mothers Day. Click this link for free patterns in the ArtWear Publications April 2020 Newsletter.
NEW SOUTH WALES – Epping; the group From Rags to Rugs Sydney Rug Hookingwere disappointed when the Sydney Craft Fair was cancelled as they had a table booked to show their work and demonstrate.
Expertise Events intocraft newsletter shows it has been rescheduled, Oct 29-Nov 1 – see more
Still in New South Wales – Newcastle: Feeling like you’d like to go somewhere? take a virtual tour through the Newcastle Art Gallery.
VICTORIA – Melbourne: the National Gallery of Victoria can also be visited virtually – take a free Drop by drawing class with visual artist Lily Mae Martin – a how-to series on sketching.
VICTORIA (Australia): Trish Johnson’s Australia Diary;- Earlier this year Canadian textile artist Trish Johnson visited a meeting of the Yarra Valley Rugmakers. Trish submitted a journal entry from her Australian tripto the Ontario Hooking Craft Guild and she and Maureen McIlwain, OHCG Multi Media Advisor, have given permission for it to be shared here in the Australian Rugmakers Guild blog.
Trish (left in floral shirt) lunching with the Yarra Valley Rugmakers Group, Victoria, Australia.
See more about the Yarra Valley Rugmakers on their Blog and Facebook Group
Washinton State, USA: Stuck at home Michele Johnson Wise shared this in Contemporary Rug Hooking Group – Busy trying my hand at punching wool strips and making face masks –ta-da! I was in a hurry so I will perfect my technique. Definitely will block out the virus..maybe even breathing behind the mask. I will try it out and let you know. Maybe I will do animalnoses and mouths like the eyes of Judy Carter. I have been at my shelter maybe a little too long. Boing! Aussie TIGHR members will remember Michele’s creative workshop from the weekend after the 2012 International Guild of Handhooking Rugcrafters, Triennial in South Australia.
CANADA – Newfoundland; Winnie GalvineRHGNL Certified Teaching Instructor offering another avenue to mental wellness through rug hooking – says; I had a large bag of white t shirts that friends and family donated for my rug hooking. I rarely use white. So I reached out to a nursing friend and offered to make scrub bags for her and her coworkers. So simple. Cut off the sleeves. Round out the neck and machine sew the bottom. 40 plus gone off today! Whats a scrub bag? Winnie’s answer; the medical personnel have to change out of their uniforms before leaving their place of work. They can put their scrubs in this bag and throw the whole thing in the washer when they get home.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA – Perth: Speaking of “scrubs” – some of my sewing friends in Perth really wanted to help the healthcare workers and they are sewing scrubs and caps and bags for them. Volunteers join a private Facebook group and are given sewing patterns to create the items and instructions on where to deliver. The group is in need of more people with sewing skills – if you can help click this link “Get Scrubbed”
Why not try the FREE TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge? For those guild members who don’t “do” Facebook you can still take part watch the video and just click the link above to read more about it.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA – the team at Vancouver Arts Centre, an active community arts centre and gallery and home to many local arts and craft groups, is staying in contact with the community in Albany through their newsletter advising the closure of the Vancouver Arts Centre due to the COVID-19 restrictions and posting links via Arts Hub of what to do while staying at home – webinars – online courses – gallery tours.
Guild members Jo Franco from Western Australia and Judi Tompkins from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, team members of the Global Textile Hub Team, have been recording “deskside chats” online.
While Judi and Jo were figuring out the “mysteries” of recording their chats about the virtual exhibition “Re-imagined” a Collaboration with a Difference; Kira Mead, the third member of the GTH Team, as part of her “paid” job at Radio Station Triple M, was interviewing business people and community members about how they were handling the COVID-19 situation.
From the Editor:For all those feeling isolated during this time of stress, I hope some of these links will help you to feel connected. Sharing my afternoon beach walk – solo exercise allowed 🙂 I hope you and yours are safe – keep hooking on the creative side.
These two rug hookers from East and West of the USA have worked together before on projects. This time, to brighten the day in this time of pandemic and despair, they asked rug makers to flood their Facebook pages all weekend with images of their works in progress with the emphasis on hands working and tools used and the hash tag #InternationalHookin
Rug makers in Australia were invited to take part – so even if you’ve missed the 4th of April, if you have a Facebook or Instagram account share your images with #InternationalHookin
Gene’s studio, where he holds rug hooking group sessions, dyes wool fabulous colours and weaves – is a stone’s throw from Disneyland in Anaheim California. Gene works with community groups and is keen to pass the traditional craft on to young people. This image is from Gene’s website, where you can see more images of works by his students and groups that meet there.
Gene also facilitates an online, Internet Rug Hooking Camp and generously makes “How To” videos available free online. Here is an introductionto rughooking for beginners. More tutorials can be found on RugHookingMagazines website.
Judith Stephens and Gene Shepherd in Gene’s studio, Anaheim, California, USA – 2009
Here’s a blast from the past – in 2011 Judith Stephens, then Vice President of the Australian Rugmakers Guild and me (your Guild Editor, Jo Franco) visited Gene Shepherd at his California studio – which I believe was relatively new at the time. I took this photo of the two of them inspecting the rug that was currently on Gene’s rug hooking frame. To answer a question from many rug hookers – Yes, you can hook a large rug on a small lap frame or a small frame on a stand as Gene was using.
It’s a far cry from the busy freeways of Anaheim, a city which seems like a suburb of Los Angeles when you drive from one to the other, to where Susan lives on the US East Coast, in the mountains of West Virginia.
Unfortunately, development is having a huge impact on the natural beauty of her surroundings. Susan’s work acknowledges the impact while showing the natural beauty inher artwork which invites the viewer to think.
News from another “Northern” rug hooker who has visited Australia several times, most recently last year, attending the General Meeting in Strathalbyn South Australia ……. Karen Kaiser, from Canada.
Karen has produced a series of videos on how to cover a footstool with a hooked pattern, along the way, creating a set of coasters in the empty spaces of the foot stool pattern. You can see more of Karen’s work on her website.
WHILE BACK IN AUSTRALIA ……….. I’m hearing from Members who are really missing the physical contact of their groups in this time of social distancing.
Painted by Heather Ritchie, UK & sent to Miriam in Australia because she knows Miriam loves sunflowers.
In New South Wales; Miriam Miller is receiving many images and articles from rug makers around the country and the world, for her newsletter “Connecting Us” (archived on this website). Here are some excerpts – first from Queensland …..
Kingaroy, QLD – Judith Brook’s response to bushfires in the Narrawilly area – the piece depicting Mollymook Beach is edged with colours of fire and framed by burnt sticks. This framing technique was shared with Judith by Judi Tompkins who often uses this framing technique on her large 3D hooked wall hangings.
From Coolum Beach, QLD – Annette White says:
“Over the last two month I made two little mats (or wall hangings) for my two young grandnieces in Germany, Annette is nine and drew a lion, Johann, seven, drew the penguin. I had promised them I replicate their pictures in a little rug. As a bonus I printed out the Aesop fable about the lion and the mouse and fabricated a little mouse attached with a tiny strip of Velcro and an invisible nylon thread so it can be moved around.
For the penguin I found a story about the penguin and the fish, therefore added the fish in the same manner. So these will be story rugs. These girls are very creative kids and will appreciate something crafted. There are two more younger kids in that family, I will have to think of something for them as well.”
Annette also made something for herself – creating these containers using the toothbrush rugmaking technique.
From NSW – Bermagui – this piece was submitted by Dawn Hollins – it was created by a visitor from out of the area who was house-sitting in Bermagui and attended one of their groups gatherings.
Dawn said “It’s a great feeling to know that we helped launch such a prodigious talent. One lesson and she was off! We’ll see her again this winter when she and her husband return for more Bermagui-time.”
Unfortunately, with projections for social distancing going late into the year they may not be able to make their winter trip.
NSW – Milton: With events being cancelled across the country – the Narrawilly Proggy Ruggers were lucky to have made it to exhibit their work in the Milton Show and also give rug hooking demonstrations there on 7th March.
Miriam Miller might be staying at home, but she’s keeping busy, along with her garden and newsletter, she has started another BIG RUG – yes she is also using a small frame.
Miriam says “I am starting a new rug inspired by a book Maggie Whyte lent me called “Rug Money” authors Mary Anne Wise and Cheryl Conway-Dalyabout rugs made by groups of women in Guatamala. They are so colourful and wild, it inspired me to do something more colourful, I hope. This is the start. As we older people are advised to stay home and avoid mixing with people because of the Coronavirus, it is good to have a project I am keen to work on. (Below my rug progressing.)”
Also a member of the Narrawilly Proggy Ruggers, Leith Brandt sent this piece to Miriam for inclusion in Miriam’s newsletter. Leith says – “I am sending you a photo of some stitch work I have done. It is an abstract impression of the hills around Gundagai, done with recycled fabrics- stitches and needle felting.”
Still in NSW – Milton; Narrawilly Proggy Rugger, Elke Smith-Hill keeps to the social distancing rules enjoying a walk on this deserted beach.
As an avid photographer, it’s not just the chance to exercise for Elke, a bonus is finding fossils in the rocks.
On to Victoria – Loch; where Chris Noorbergen has put aside her rug hook and taken up a crochet hook – to complete this wonderful free-form crocheted jacket.
Chris is a member of the Yarra Valley Rugmakers – who travel to each others homes to hold a meeting once a month. With everyone having to stay at home they have formed a Facebook Messenger Group and for their last meeting they all gathered together their hooking and clicked into the Facebook Messenger Group and were able to chat to each other throughout the day as they hooked – sounds to me like the main disadvantage was they couldn’t all take part in the delicious food that usually accompanies their get-togethers. Here’s a couple of their projects.
Bobby La said “Just doing the dotted edges. First with one colour, spaced out to allow for the next. Listening to ABC radio Conversations, on the verandah.”
By the end of the day Joy had her stair tread finished.
Even with social distancing, they are still open to welcoming new members – you can read about their group here.
Western Australia – Wanneroo – members of the Wanneroo Rugmakers who usually meet every Saturday morning are really missing their time together – I know, as I’m one of the group. We had so much planned for this year. We’re still working on one of the projects and as I make my quick safaris to pick up groceries I’ve been stopping by to pick up sections of the finished work from member’s mail boxes. The pieces will be delivered to Peta Korb’s mail box on another excursion, as she has volunteered to finish them off. The “D” was hooked by Kath and Anna’s “T” is now a block. Recycled T-shirts are being used for this project.
This Blog started with news of rug hooking friends in the Northern Hemisphere so it’s fitting we finish off with News from CANADA – Newfoundland;
Pat Parsons, in Gander, is the TIGHR Communications Chair – Pat sent Miriam news and images from the annual Central Regional Hook In hosted by the Happy Matters Group;
Pat says: it was a terrific success with 70 rug hookers from all over the island attending. There was a delicious lunch served by the Church Ladies, prizes given away, loads of locally dyed wool for sale, and much merriment all around. Below you will see all of us hard at work on various beautiful mats. We are fortunate here on the island to have several active groups from east to west and north to south- and we don’t mind driving 2 or 3 hours to spend the day with our likeminded crafters and support the local rug shops that pop up.
As members of the TIGHR planning team for the next Triennial, I hope that we see as many Australians rug hookers as we can in 2021. Meanwhile, stay safe everyone and Happy Hooking.Pat
Click TIGHR to learn more about The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers.
From the Editor: This started out to be a quick recap of what’s happening with our rug hooking groups – but like Topsy, it kept growing – there’s still more images and news to share …… in the next Blog, as I need to work on the Global Textile Hub’s Call for Entries to “Re-imagined” a Collaboration with a Difference: Make the Ordinary Extraordinary launched this past week. You can click this link to read all about it and complete an Expression of Interest. You’ll also see on the GTH Facebook pagean explanation of a “virtual” exhibition – featuring the pilot virtual online exhibition “Re-imagined” a mixed media exhibition, the Opening of which took place at Rug Hooking Week in Sauder Village Ohio, USA August 2018.
Even with social distancing you can collaborate with others (phone,post,Skype and online) – so stay safe – stay home and get creative.
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, for health and safety reasons and to be socially responsible, most groups have made the decision to close studios and group meetings for the time being and review the situation at the a later date.
As the Editor and Membership Chair I have been in contact with members, and group leaders around the country and have made some suggestions as to how guild members can come together, online, if not in person. Others are also thinking about ways to do this which you’ll see below along with some location changes for meetings when things get back to normal:
Queensland – Landsborough: The Sunshine Coast Rugcrafters have a new name and a new meeting place.
Now known as the Sunshine Coast Fibre/Textile Artists, they meet at Judi Tompkin’s “Palimpsest” studio in Landsborough. This group will hold off meeting in April and will reassess the situation in May.
Judi says; Indications are that we could be dealing with this pandemic until September and I guess I would rather err on the side of caution. We are not in quarantine … just trying to minimize our exposure and yours …. so …. what to do?
You can phone … and just check in (if you don’t have my phone number contact rughookingaustralia@gmail.com)
You can Skype me … send me a contact request if we don’t already Skype…(again email rughookingaustralia@gmail.com for my Skype name)
You can download the free app for Zoom and we can chat.
You can FaceTime me…I’m on Facebook a lot so “friend me” and if you see me on you can use that video service.
You can still stop by…but call Just in case…
Those of you who know Judi will appreciate these posts she shared on Facebook –
New South Wales – Sydney/Epping:
Martha Birch was pleased to learn her group, growing in number, were invited to have a space at the Royal Agricultural Show – but …. the RAS is now cancelled and Martha thinks the Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair will be too, no word yet.
Martha said;
“Our group, “From Rags to Rugs Sydney Rug Makers” met in March but I think our April meeting will have to be cancelled as we use a small room that doesn’t allow enough space under the new regulations of 4 m square per person. I’ll contact the Epping Centre for advice on this.”
It’s an open group where they share images of what they are working on –
March 14 2020; Another fun meeting of our group today: Theresa’s flower, June’s square, Heather’s cat scene, Wilhelmina’s coffee rug base outline and my next chair pad are all coming along well
New South Wales – Milton: Narrawilly Proggy Rugmakers – Miriam Miller, who was recently impacted by the devastating bushfires sent this message to her rug hooking group members;
“I have cancelled our rug days. I was warned this week by my cancer doctor that I am very vulnerable, and I know that, so I will be staying home doing lots of rugging and only going very occasionally to the local supermarket. Even the Anglican church has cancelled services. I am sure this has not happened before.
So, it has been decided not to hold the regular Rug Days on 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month, until the Coronavirus time is over. I would ask all members to send me a photo or a few lines a day or two before our regular meeting day, so I can collate the items and send out to all our members to keep us in touch with what everyone is doing. It maybe you are not rugging, but knitting, crocheting, painting, gardening, reading, and recommending a book. Or even want to share a recipe. I look forward to your contributions.”
The image below was taken from the March issue of Miriam’s newsletter “Connecting Us” – emailed to all Guild members and her rug hooking friends overseas; it’s easy to see what Miriam will be working on during the next few months.
New South Wales – Braidwood:
Gail Nichols who fought bushfires for months and witnessed first hand all the devastation, has posted this image of a burnt waratah, sprouting anew.
Gail says: “As we move ever faster into the COVID-19 crisis it’s comforting to know our recent bushfire emergency is now in recovery stage. One crisis at a time please.”
Victoria – Yarra Valley Rugmakers:
Tehran 5 x 7ft design by Rittemere hooked by Chris Noorbergen Victoria, Australia.
The monthly meeting for this group usually takes place at Anne’s home in Warrandyte, but changes occasionally to another group member’s home – they live an hour’s drive from each other. I understand they are also considering not getting together in April.
I understand Chris’s beautiful work (Tehran) was for sale – or maybe it has already sold? Here is an image of Anne’s proddy rug (also form the March issue of “Connecting Us”)
South Australia – Strathalbyn: The StrathMatters group will not meet during the month of April and will update members about future rug making sessions at the end of that month.
In the meantime if you are stuck and need advice about your rug making projects, email Judith Stephens studioblue20@gmail.com
Designed and hooked using wool yarn, by Judith Stephens, South Australia
You can meet the StrathMatters members, see images of their work and read more about the group on their Blog
Northern Territory – Finke;
At the moment with the NT borders having just been closed, Sue, from South Australia, who works in the indigenous Community of Finke (just off the righthand edge of the map, directly above the NT/ SA border – accessed via the first track you see going right off the main road north) is feeling very isolated.Sue is a new member of the Guild and new to rug hooking which she wants to teach to the women and children in the community. We’re hoping the shared guild news and images will be inspirational and of comfort to her.
Western Australia – Wanneroo:
The Wanneroo Rugmakers meet every Saturday at the Wanneroo Library. The Wanneroo library is open however, in light of COVID-19, group events at the Library have been cancelled until further notice as they do not want to risk compromising the health of anyone in the community, especially the most vulnerable.
There is one event still in doubt for the 7th June – for the Wanneroo group members, here is a peek at an almost finished block which Peta is working on (hooked by Anna using Tshirts) only 19 more to go – we’d definitely be ready for next year!
This year we’ve had new members join the Guild who are solo rugmakers:
Jennifer who lives in Queensland on the Atherton Tablelands, says; My dear friend Robyne from the Yarra Valley Rug makers introduced me to rag art. Robyne sent me a copy of Miriam Miller’s book, Proggy and Hooky Rugs and a proggy. I have boxes of fabrics, lace, trims, old blankets, bags of clothes etc… l liked the idea of recycling/up cycling.
In Western Australia there’s a new solo Guild member, who because of location, does not belong to a group. Wink’s home is on the edge of a national park that abounds with wildflowers. Here is what a self-taught rughooker in isolation has produced from this photo she took on the road side – wonderful !
From the Editor: During these unprecedented times the Guild Committee would like to help members and groups stay connected with each other.
So reach out to us online at rughookingaustralia@gmail.com and share your news and questions and we’ll keep trying to find interesting ways to keep the rughooking connections going.
In the meantime, finish all those UFO’s – stay safe – and look out yourselves, your families and friends – Cheers
The danger is not over yet, but some areas have had a reprieve, even some glorious rain!
This Blog contains excerpts from the Facebook pages and emails of Guild members affected by the bushfires. There are many reports on TV and in newspapers, but what follows are unedited reports from those involved.
Miriam Miller was forced to evacuate her home at Narrawilly again on 23rd January – Miriam says:
“Strange things help – Robert planted sunflowers as he always does around my house. None of them came up this year because of the drought. So there was a bare dry piece of ground in the paddock in front of my garden bed with the roses, which was covered with thick wood chips. If this garden had gone so would my verandah and my house, so thank you drought. “
The view from Miriam’s kitchen window.
Editor: Unfortunately, this news of more fires comes on the heels of the Good News from Carey-Ann at Robert Miller’s Narrawilly Farm ….
“The good news is that we and the team are safe and uninjured, and the old farmhouse and the dairy plant are intact. The milking herd was well protected although some of the animals in the dry herd are experiencing difficulties associated with drought, bushfire smoke, heat and environmental stress. They are being monitored and, where relevant, treated.”
…… Also from Carey-Ann
“a Timeline of a Fire – at Narrawilly (photographs, taken by Robert and Carey-Ann), document our growing disquiet morphing into anxiety and then horror as fire arrived on New Year’s Eve and returned, four days later, on 4 January.)
Across the eastern seaboard of Australia, regional communities have been devastated by these out-of-control bushfires. Many people have lost a lot more than we have. Houses can be rebuilt but not everything lost is tangible or replaceable with a credit card. The psychological consequences, for thousands of regional Australians in dozens of regional towns and villages, will persist for years to come. We are very grateful for people’s best wishes, small acts of kindness, and donations — from homemade chocolate brownies through to generous cash donations, and our appreciation will only grow over time, when we have time to reflect on what has happened these past few weeks.
I would also like you to know this: during the course of 24 hours, stretching from mid-afternoon on 4 January 2020 to sunrise of 5 January 2020, Rob and a handful of locals (which included our dairy farming neighbours, the Andersons) worked with basic infrastructure to prevent the fire in the rainforest breaking out of the gully. They fought for hours on end to stop fire and embers from reaching houses on Stony Hill Lane (including Miriam’s timber house) and raging through to Milton village. As an eye witness to what they did that night, I can tell you that they battled that canopy fire alone. They did not have the luxury of evacuating to a safe location. They did not sleep that night or the next. There were no fire-fighters or fire-engines available to protect sleeping residents in Milton and surrounds. What Milton village residents still do not realise is that it was Rob and the Andersons (Brian, Janine, their sons, their nephew and brother-in-law), along with a neighbour’s son, who held that fire in check. If that rainforest fire had not been contained within the gully, nothing in Stony Hill Lane would remain today. Theirs was an act of extraordinary bravery and determination.”
Editor: We are now seeing “Open for Business” reports on TV from the affected areas asking people to return to these country areas so business and livelihoods can return to normal – How can that be when the danger has not passed? I asked Carey-Ann what her thoughts were on this since there is still such a fire risk and communities are so devastated and she said ……
“Local newspapers (e.g. see South Coast Register on Kangaroo Valley and Southern Highlands) are writing of the need for resilience (among the victims) and consumption (among the tourists). It is understandable, up to a point, that certain small businesses want tourists back now.
But where is the line between consumption-tourism as a form of support and providing a respectful amount of time for victims to mourn their dead, their losses and their way of life? And who gets to draw that line in the sand?
It should come as no surprise to anyone when bushfire-affected locals, whose houses and streets were incinerated or damaged, react angrily to cars of Instagram-ing strangers snapping photographs of their pain and despair. (We have heard of this happening in Conjola recently.) I wonder if those who promote unrestrained consumer capitalism in bushfire areas have thought of how to handle that potential for grief-related conflict? I wonder if it will entrench divides between Townies and country people? Somehow I suspect that it will be the locals who are told to be “resilient”, appreciative of the tourist dollar, and respectful. When does that become docility?”
Editor: Which brings up the subject of mental health in these areas – we’ve all heard of PTSD, but what about Continuous Traumatic Stress Disorder (CTSD), which is a sub-category of PTSD?
Carey-Ann said “I have spoken to Rob about CTSD among bushfire-affected dairy farming communities. I see signs of it among this particular community. Fortunately, some academics are already thinking and writing about eco-anxiety. I hope they will consider the link between CTSD and out of control bushfires which return again and again.”
Editor: Still in NEW SOUTH WALES – Conditions are similar at Mongarlowe in the Braidwood area; except they have had some rain! With her permission, here’s some of the images shared on Facebook by Gail Nichols …..
Jan 03: When I think back to how bad we thought things were here in late November, we had no idea what we’d be facing by the New Year. I keep clinging to a belief that this has to end someday. Surely it will rain again.
Jan 4: For all my friends and family following my posts on our ongoing fire situation. It’s hard to believe things could get worse but today is forecast as yet another nightmare. If you want the details here is this morning’s ABC news story.
With massive fires to the north and south of us, into Victoria and even across to Kangaroo Island it’s difficult to know where to start in telling about it this morning. So, I’ll begin with what’s local. We are ok.Apart from putting out a neighbour’s grass fire that ran to our fence, our property was untouched yesterday. That doesn’t mean we weren’t threatened. Fire in pine windrows on property to our west was throwing us flying bark etc. Late in the day the southerly wind change came in like a steam train, blasting that fire to the north toward Mongarlowe village. Today we will be catching up with neighbours and pitching in where we can help. So many other communities in the Braidwood area were impacted yesterday. We are still waiting for the rain that would put at end to this.
Here at home we are prepared to defend yet again, getting well practiced at this. At least we are now well surrounded by burnt out areas and lower fuel loads which should give us some protection. Hoping our locality is spared this time but fearing for what may happen overall.
Jan 08: RFS crews are getting a lot of well deserved kudos. But note also the work being done by SES (State Emergency Service) volunteers. This crew of 8 from Queanbeyan turned up this morning, felled a number of fire damaged trees around our house, cut up and stacked the bits, all with smiles on their faces. Great work, can’t praise them enough
Jan 09: A couple of refired pots emerged from the ashes and cleaned up ok.
Jan 10: A young red necked wallaby eating pellets from one of my old soda glazed platters. He/she only just emerged from mum’s pouch before the fires started impacting here. What a welcome to the world. As for that singed pine trunk, I know some potter friends who would be jealous of those reds.
Jan 15: Painting with fire – Amongst the gems of the ‘firing’ are these pieces of sheet metal that had been draped over a pile of hardwood logs. It gives a whole new meaning to what I used to call ‘painting with fire’.
Jan 16: Rain Rain Rain! What a glorious afternoon.
In the midst of all the black, a puddle of water. Will this weekend see these pots finally submerged? Watch this space.
Jan 18: 61mm of rain over the past 3 days and more coming! The puddle in the dam is growing. The Charleys Forest Fire, which was our immediate threat, is under control. Our brigade station is reverting to local use. My rug making gear has returned from its evacuation refuge and is back in the studio. New green grass is making itself visible. Time to start thinking about some normality.
Jan 19: When there’s little grass to be found,carrots, sweet potato and kibble pellets are prettytasty, and when water is scarce a bowl of it makes a great swimming pool. The condition of local wildlife at our feeding stations has improved noticeably in the past couple weeks.
Thanks again to the Native Animal Rescue Group for their support.
Jan 20: Nice to see some green happening again
Jan 24: Gail says: The summer is far from over, there are still fires about, and we need much more rain. I am currently having some time off from firefighting as my lungs need a break. But there is so much smoke and dust in the air that’s hard to manage anywhere around here. We just keep hoping for some good extended rain. At least there is green grass appearing so our landscape is not just that devastating black. That’s reassuring.
VICTORIA: There are no reports of damage from members there – fortunately all are safe and out of the fire zones.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA is another matter; Sue Gilmartin arrived in Perth on 10th January and gave firsthand information about her host’s property, in the Adelaide hills, safe but still under threat – however, while there she didn’t have to take refuge in the damp sprout fields which was their planned defense. Friends of her hosts weren’t so fortunate, one family lost everything! Escaping only with their lives.
Friends on Kangaroo Island were also affected, with another family losing everything.
A report in the Adelaide newspaper tells of this King Island resident who made a miraculous escape.
Guild Members in Strathalbyn – an area visited by many rug hookers (TIGHR 2012) are reported to be safe.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA has also been impacted by bushfires, to the north and south. After New Years Day Sue Gilmartin from the UK set off to cross the Nullarbor (Adelaide to Perth) on a 10 day camping trip with a small tour group – Sue said 3 days in, after having had the most amazing time sleeping in swags under the stars, the organizers were forced to abandon the trip and return to Adelaide, as the border between SA and WA was closed due to raging fires through the southern area of WA.
The only paved road linking the east and west coasts of Australia was closed for 12 days causing havoc with holiday travelers and freight line truckers. Across this area small towns are shown on maps but they’re virtually only petrol(gas) stations with a cafe and in some places very “basic” motel units – none of these “towns” were prepared with supplies (water or food) to support the hundreds of people trapped at each of them, even with supplies being flown in by small planes and helicopters.
West of the SA/WA border the road is widen in places to create a landing strip. It’s a little disconcerting as you’re driving along and you see the “aircraft landing” warning signs makes you wonder how much notice you’d get of an airplane attempting to land?
Highway airstrip in Western Australia – taken on one of our return road trips from Queensland.
Through that 12 day period police strenuously enforced the road closures due to a horrendous situation in 2007 when three truckers were burnt to death in a bushfire after a road closure was lifted prematurely.
They couldn’t say when the road would be opened, so Sue finally resorted to purchasing an airline ticket and spent a week with me in Perth. Her aim was to see as much textile work and visit as many textile groups and galleries as possible. Unfortunately most of the Galleries were closed for the Christmas Holidays and most groups were on holiday break. Sue did make it to a meeting of the Wanneroo Rugmakers
and while there visited the “Home” Exhibition on at the Wanneroo Gallery.
Baskets by Courtney Hill-Aaron Koolark Collection (6) Natural fibres, emu feathers, ochre pigment from Country to colour natural fibres.
Totems by Val Shaw.
The Wanneroo Rugmakers first wall hanging can be seen in the adjoining room.
This followed by a visit to Nalda Searles home – Sue and Nalda have mutual friends in Kalgoorlie – so a very pleasant afternoon was spent listening to Nalda tell stories about her work.
We took a boat cruise up the Swan River to the Sandalford Winery which involved wine tasting on the boat, a delicious lunch and more wine tasting at the winery – good job we took the train into town to catch the boat.
Another day was crammed full with a visit to the Goods Shed to view “The Alchemist” and on to Fremantle to visit the Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, now the home of marionettes donated to the Theatre by Stella Edmundson of the Sunshine Coast Textile Art Group. The Kidogo Gallery was closed so instead we toured the Shipwreck Museum.
QUEENSLAND: This report started about bushfires and ends with reports of floods in Queensland and in CANBERRA, hail the size of golf balls!
Maggie Whyte, Guild Pres. said she was on her way back to Canberra from a trip to the coast when the storm hit, so fortunately missed that experience – an auto insurers nightmare. Images could be seen on TV of carparks full of cars with shattered windows and car bodies peppered with dents where they had been pummelled by the hail.
Through all this wild weather there have been moments of creative inspiration, friends connecting with friends and help coming from unexpected places – so many people touched by the devastation and others wanting to help.
Now there’s a fine line to tread to support the businesses that are left in tact while respecting the privacy of bushfire victims.
Hopefully, my next post as your Guild Editor, will be less of a weather report, with more emphasis on the art and craft of rug making.
Many of our Guild members live in areas impacted by bushfires and cannot make contact with their friends who they know are also under threat – power is out, and mobile phones are down there’s no internet and even in good times not everyone has access to Social Media.
So those of us who have service and are familiar with networking online have gathered information to let you know about your rug hooking friends. Images shown here, were taken by Gail Nichols in New South Wales and shared with her permission.
Dec 17 Mongarlow River reduced to puddles
According to the Bureau of Meteorology 2019 was the hottest and driest year on record. The bushfire season began with the worst September in recorded history with 130 bushfires in Queensland and northern New South Wales in one day.
Bushfires were burning in areas around Landsborough, Coolum Beach and even in the GoldCoast hinterland – Mt. Tamborine. I’m glad to say all our guild members Judi Tompkins, Annette White and Bec Andersen are safe.
Believe it or not, even the picturesque South Coast of New South Wales is now burning – Miriam Miller, Guild Secretary, and her family had to evacuate from Narrawilly – I understand the fire burned through the pastures but the buildings were saved and she is back home again, safe but shaken and with no internet, unable to send out her newsletter.
In Sydney Martha Birch says “The smoke comes and goes so we are able to avoid the worst of it by staying indoors. Miriam’s daughter has asthma so she’s badly affected but Miriam tells me she’s back to her old self and doing some rug hooking again.“
Dec 5 Mt. Budawang, NSW
On hearing the disastrous news from the East Gippsland area in Victoria I contacted the Yarra Valley Rughooking Group – and a quick whip around online determined that they were all safe from bushfires in their areas of Warrandyte, Loch and Lilydale.
Dec 11 2020 Mt Budawang, NSW
In South Australia – Strathalbyn seems to have been spared so far – but the Adelaide Hills have taken a beating and Sue Gilmartin visiting from the UK let me know of the plans her host had in place; go-bags packed and the car to be parked in a clearing with them heading for the sprout fields. My response was why not get in the car and get out of there? apparently the roads are narrow and winding and thick with trees and would be very dangerous to navigate in a smoke-filled fire situation. The damp sprout fields apparently offer more refuge – I just hope they don’t have to put that plan to the test 🙁
Gail Nichols who lives in Mongarlowe near Braidwood, NSW has been fighting fires in their area for months. Little did she know what was in store when she shared this image and explanation with her friends.
“Oct 3: As most of you know my art practice and passion have moved on from ceramics to textiles. For several years a number of unfired pots have languished on shelves in the clay studio waiting for a firing that I finally accepted would not happen. Today I collected and assembled them in the base of our dry dam. This dam has struggled to hold water at the best of times and is looking quite desolate now. I look forward to the day when we get some good rain and the pots will slowly disappear, slaking down to form a clay coating on the dam floor. It will be a day to watch and celebrate. Meanwhile they sit here looking like bones in the landscape.”
Fast forward to Dec 24 and here are the disintegrating pots in the dry dam sharing their refuge with gas cylinders amongst a blackened landscape.
Gail said, “I never expected to be taking this sort of photo when this installation project began, but it’s now part of the story.”
Dec 10 back burning at the foot of Mt Budawang
“Dec 10: We’re living in smoke and the end of Budawang Rd is burning, all for a good cause, to contain the main fire when it reaches us here. But still hard to bear for those who love this little piece of paradise at the foot of Mt Budawang.”
“Dec 22: It was a busy day in the Braidwood, Mongarlowe, Nerriga area yesterday. I don’t know all the details yet but can at least tell you we are OK. Our property was impacted and is now very black but all assets are intact. Mop up work today has been assisted by heavy mizzle that set in during the night and has damped things down. I understand not everyone in the state was so lucky. My heart goes out to all those affected.”
“Dec 30: In just over a month we have seen fire work its way progressively through the national parks around us, started by lightning strikes. First it was Tallaganda west of Braidwood , then Budawang to the east. Today it was Monga’s turn, to the south. The pyrocumulus cloud was dramatically visible from our place. Tomorrow we’re on Extreme fire danger rating, and still no rain in sight tostop the monster.”
“Dec 31: “We did it. The fire threw everything at us but we saved the buildings, vehicles and ourselves. Thanks to the QueanbeyanRFS crew who showed up and assisted, and a Mongarlowe crew who checked on us as we started the mopup. It’s been a nightmare day for so many. Just starting to process the news. So sorry for those who’ve suffered such huge losses.
“Jan 1:From this morning’s walk round the new landscape. Fire destroys but has the capacity to create as well. I can see some major art works happening when this is eventually over. But don’t know how much more of this ‘creativity’ we can take.”
Inspiration in the devestation
“Jan 2: A bit of morning mopup, as king parrot tucks into the seed nearby. There are hungry birds, roos, wallabies, wombats around. Thanks to the Native Animal Rescue Group, BillWaterhouse in particular, who delivered wildlife food supplies yesterday. And hey,we just noticed one of the casualties of Tuesday’s fire was our rain gauge, gone up in smoke.”
“Jan 2: There’s a wallaby wondering what happened to the garden. And yes that’s a newly refired pot sitting in the black.”
Gail took these pictures back on October 25 – one wonders how long will it be before green and colour returns to the landscape?
In answer to a post where a friend said “you must be exhausted” – Gail replied “Tired is the new normal”
It’s to be hoped they will buy a new rain gauge and it will come into use before too much time passes.
So much devastation ….
Watching the evening news one feels so helpless! Thank you Gail for sharing thoughts and feelings from the front line – we are awe of what you and others in your situation have to contend with.
I end this report with a note from Judi Tompkins, Australian Rugmakers Guild Communications Chair –
“Bush Fire season is a fact of life in Australia and there may not be fire fighters available during big burns to come to your aid. You MUST be self-sufficient if you live or visit fire-prone areas. People living outside major cities (in particular) in Australia MUST have a fire plan and be prepared to implement it in a timely fashion. Will you LEAVE or will you STAY AND DEFEND? If you have overseas visitors be sure they know and understand your plan and what they will be expected to do in the event of fire emergency. Stay Safe!”
This is just the beginning of summer, still months of hot weather left – hope everyone will take care and think of others.
Because of the lack of communications in so many areas we will try keep you up to date with news of our members. Dare I say – Happy Hooking
Quillie Christmas tree decoration by Kira Mead, Albany, Western Australia
From the Guild’s new President, Maggie Whyte, ACT
I would like to introduce myself but first I would like to thank Judith Stephens our retiring President (2014-19) and co-founder of the Guild in 2008, for organizing three very successful exhibitions in Strathalbyn, South Australia.
Also, a thank you to all the Committee members who have worked tirelessly to promote Australian rugmaking through the Guild Website/Blog, Facebook and Newsletters as well as the members and the groups who are actively promoting this craft across Australia.
I live in Canberra in the ACT and have been rug making for approximately 18 years. I enjoy trying all types of rug making including hand weaving, felting and knitting.
I joined (TIGHR) The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers when Australia was Host Country (2009-12) There is a new host country every 3 years. In October 2012, I attended the Triennial Conference in Strathalbyn, South Australia, and have since attended triennial conferences in Canada (2015) and the UK (2018).
It has been so educational and fun to meet rug makers from around the world. I hope to attend the next Conference to be held in Newfoundland, Canada.
If you can manage to get to the conference in 2021 you will have a wonderful, creative experience.
This coming year I hope to meet more of our Australian Guild members, if not in person, then online. As many of us are scattered across Australia it can be difficult for us to get together in person.
The committee is working towards offering members talks, demonstrations and mini workshops online.
Wishing you a safe and merry Christmas and a prosperous year in 2020.
While there are many solo rughookers around Australia, you can find Australian Rugmakers Guild groups in these locations;
West Australian Christmas tree (Nuytsia floribunda)
How do you bring a small number of enthusiastic rug hookers scattered across vast distances together? With great difficulty!
… that is until the internet became more accessible by those with iPads and mobile phones, allowing them to research, learn and view works by others – think Blogs and YouTube.
While Social Media has it’s problems, it does allow for quick and easy exchanges of information and gives people a chance to come together to show their work and share their experiences with sourcing tools and finding ways of learning new techniques.
When the Australian rug making online groups were formed and the Guild Blog started they were seen by rug makers in the Northern Hemisphere who told friends and relatives in Australia about what was happening here and so contact was made within the country through an overseas connection – a boomerang effect.
Rug making is a tactile craft, more suited to being shown in an environment where the pile and texture can be appreciated. However if you can’t afford, or are unable to travel, online and virtual events open up a world of creativity.
Courtesy Tasmanian Wool Centre, Ross, TAS TWC2016-2 Ransom Rug top view_2230mmx1400mm
It’s often claimed that rug hooking was something “not done” in Australia and yet there are rugs in museum archives here dating back to the 1920s and 30s even to the late 1800’s like this rug in the Wool Centre, Ross, Tasmania.
Courtesy Tasmanian Wool Centre TWC2016-2 Ransom Rug-detail
In those early days, rugs were used and disposed of, or stored and forgotten.
Courtesy of Migration Museum, Adelaide, South Australia HT90.141Courtesy of Migration Museum, Adelaide, South Australia HT90-143
Small isolated communities had no way of promoting their events – exhibitions may have made the local newspapers but that was it.
In 2008, a rug hooking exhibition in the country town of Strathalbyn, South Australia, was advertised as the “first rug hooking exhibition in South Australia”. This proved to be incorrect; a rug hooker from Elizabeth, a 3 hour drive from Strathalbyn, saw a few lines of advertising in the Adelaide city newspaper on the morning of the opening and called to say it was definitely NOT the first exhibition in South Australia – there had been many. The problem was, the previous exhibitions had also been in country towns and reported in local newspapers – but the information did not leave the district.
Joyce Emery one of the original members of the American Rug Hooking Group from Elizabeth, SA. said the group taught rug hooking in schools and country towns in regional South Australia. They held many exhibitions and for more than 30 years met once a month at the home of Pam Whitehead, their instructor who’d learned traditional rug hooking in Canada, bringing it to Australia in the late 1960’s. Pam taught the “traditional North American” style of rug hooking at Adult Education Classes held in the Elizabeth East High School, using hand-dyed wool swatches and the traditional ‘fine shading’ technique on designs (mostly florals) which she imported from Rittemere, a rug hooking supply store in Canada.
This is where the internet came into play; the information about Pam was seen online by Pam’s son Peter, who provided an update on his mother’s interesting life:-
Pam Whitehead was born near Doncaster, Lancashire, England, June 20, 1923. She served in the WRAF in WW2 as a radio operator and after WW2 moved to Australia where she married Peter’s father (Lewis) in 1953, in Goondiwindi, Queensland. In 1955 Pam moved to Canada staying in the UK for about a year on the way. Peter was born in the UK in 1954. Pam returned to Australia (Elizabeth, South Australia) in July 1969 and taught at various locations over time, the main ones being the Elizabeth Girls Technical High School and Nuriootpa High School. Pam passed away in 2006. Peter said – “my mother was involved in many crafts but Rug Hooking was her passion. She would have been so happy to see it continue to flourish in Australia.”
In 2014 an Exhibition and Guild General Meeting was held in Strathalbyn, SA and another member of Pam’s original group made contact with the Exhibition organizer, Judith Stephens, requesting an opportunity to sell her rug hooking stash since she could no longer hook and was downsizing her house. Many of the Guild members bought wool fabric and 50 year-old Rittermere patterns from Faye, who told me about a rug she had hooked and gifted to the City of Fort Worth, Texas, USA, and that rugs made by the group were in the archives of the Migration Museum of South Australia.
Designed and hooked by Faye Godfrey, South Australia gifted to the city of Ft.Worth, Texas, USA.
I contacted the Curator or the Migration Museum and she kindly retrieved these and earlier rugs from the archives, photographed them and gave permission to show in Guild blogs and the History section of the Guilds website.
Courtesy of Migration Museum, SA HT86.404 – Community Banners project 1986 “Memories & Dreams”
The Internet has made it possible to more easily research the history of rug making in Australia and to reach out to connect with and encourage solitary rug hookers; for interested people to locate instructors; to find repairers and have rugs repaired, completed, or made on commission.
Members of the Guild have attended Craft Fairs in different States around Australia creating publicity for the craft, community groups have been formed and workshops given.
Martha Birch’s presence at Expertise Events Sydney Craft Fair lead to the formation of the Sydney group “From Rags to Rugs, Sydney Rug Hookers” which meets at the Epping Creative Centre, 26 Stanley St, Dence Park, NSW.
The Wanneroo Rugmakers group in Western Australia have been meeting in the city Library every Saturday morning for 10 years and are often visited by Library patrons who ask to see what they’re doing. Some have a go and join in, others go away and tell friends about the group. Any of the groups core members can teach newcomers and have taught several school teachers the various rug making techniques which the teachers have taken back and taught at their schools. Children’s rug making classes have been given during school holidays and also workshops for Seniors. As well as their own rugs, the group works on a community project each year. Rug Hooking categories have been added to the craft section of the Wanneroo Agricultural Show. Rugs are also shown at the Strathalbyn, SA Show and the Milton Show in NSW.
In Queensland Judi Tompkins and Judy Brook leaders of two rug hooking groups have been promoting rug making in their own areas and came together mid-year to bring rug hooking to a Winter Craft Festival. For Judi Tompkins it was an expensive learning experience – driving 2 hours each way to set up and take down a solo exhibition and repeating the drive several times to give artists talks in a remote area ravaged by drought with no through traffic reinforced her thinking that an online exhibition was a better option for promoting hooked pieces as art. However, Judy Brook’s community piece set up for viewers to work on during the month of the craft fair was well received.
In New South Wales the Narrawilly Proggy Rugmakers continue to meet in Miriam Millers Rug Room even when Miriam is away. The local rug hookers love meeting in Miriam’s studio and Miriam stays in touch with visitors to Narrawilly and rug hookers she meets in her overseas travels via her monthly emailed newsletter, “Connecting Us”
Jacqui Thomson has been documenting the groups many works since 1994 when she placed an few lines in the local newspaper advertising the groups first meeting. Miriam and Jacqui have graduated from local print advertising to the online world.
Following the success of “Re-imagined” a virtual mixed media exhibition in 2018 a group of 3 Aussie Guild members (Judi Tompkins, Kira Mead & Jo Franco) created the Global Textile Hub and held an online rug hooking event, the Global Rug Hub, bringing rug hookers together from around the world; Canada, USA, UK and Europe and of course Australia. This video and webinar can be seen along with other Guild videos on Kira Mead’s YouTube Channel.
Now the Guild committee comes together from Queensland, New South Wales, ACT and Western Australia to hold monthly virtual meetings.
Editors Note: Not only do Australian rugmakers have the chance to connect with each other through various online platforms, they also have a chance to meet up with rugmakers visiting from overseas.
This year through this Blog, several Canadians have visited rug groups in Strathalbyn, SA; Sydney and Milton, NSW and Melbourne, VIC. Currently a visitor from the UK is in South Australia, headed West in the New Year.
Even though few in numbers, rug hookers in Australia are creative in their approach to bringing a traditional craft into the 21st Century with the use of technology.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.
The last Blog finished with promise of more to come from the Guild meeting held during the StrathMatters Exhibition weekend in Strathalbyn October 5 & 6 2019.
Your new committee has held a virtual meeting and put plans in motion for a survey of members seeking input as to what sort of events might be planned to bring guild members together. The survey, a tick the box variety, was sent to all by email, it should have taken only a few minutes to complete and submit right there online. We’re hoping by the next Committee meeting on 22nd November we’ll have received some ideas.
If you’re a member or past member and didn’t receive the survey – please contact rughookingaustralia@gmail.com and a link to the survey will be emailed to you.
Meanwhile, I’d like to introduce you to the new Committee –
President: Maggie Whyte, ACT. Maggie lives in Canberra and has always been interested in textiles, from embroidery to felt making. For 10 years she taught various forms of hand embroidery preferring freestyle. From 2005-2008 she was President of the Canberra Region Felt makers and exhibited in their Exhibitions.
In 2001 Maggie was inspired by Miriam Miller to become a rugmaker and since that time has produced rugs and wall-hangings. Portraits and abstract wall-hangings are of special interest to her and she often uses handmade, hand dyed felt in her work.
Maggie is a member of the Narrawilly Proggy Ruggers Group, the Australian Rugmakers Guild and the International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers and regularly writes articles for both Guilds.
Vice President: Martha Birch, NSW. Martha lives in Clovelly, Sydney, and has always been interested in textiles, from an early age.
10 years ago, she was given a frame, rotary cutter and hooks by her American mother-in-law, a retiring Rug Hooker. At this time, she was also given a rudimentary lesson and introduced to the local group in Northfield, Vermont. The wooden frame broke in transit to Australia so was replaced with a Puritan frame, purchased just before the company closed.
In 2015 Martha retired from her professional work and searched for Rug Hooking in Australia. Through the Guild, she contacted Miriam Miller and visited her for lessons, starting her first project. Miriam put her in touch with another Rugger in Sydney and when their meetings ended, Martha decided to stir up some interest. With the Guild and Miriam’s assistance, and support from the Narrawilly Group, a Guild stand was held at Expertise Events Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair in 2018. There was a bit of interest, so Martha ran a class for 10 women and they formed a group who continue to meet with Martha at the Epping Creative Centre.
This group, with the Guild and Miriam’s support again, held another Guild stand at the 2019 Expertise Events Craft & Quilt Fair with overwhelming response. Martha has now taught 5 classes at several venues on the outskirts of Sydney and will follow them up in the hope more groups will be formed.
Martha is working on a series of chair pads (2 down, 4 to go) using the floral paintings by Margaret Preston for inspiration and has made a couple of heat pads from a friend’s designs.
Her group have been invited back to the 2020 Craft & Quilt Fair, where an exhibition and workshop space will be provided. There is also discussion of a Demonstration Day at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, the setting up of a Competition Category for Rug Hooking to follow this.
Treasurer: Tricia Thacker, WA, was new to rug hooking when she became a member of the Wanneroo Rugmakers group. Her textile interests are varied and include knitting, crochet, macrame and weaving.
Not one to give up, Tricia resurrected a “UFO” – circular weaving project from a workshop many years ago and without the aid of directions, since misplaced, managed to figure out how to finish the woven beret, modeled here. The beret was sent off to the Alice Springs Beanie Festival where it was sold for a large amount of money which surprised Tricia.
Miriam Miller, rughooking instructor, NSW Australia_photo, Gillian Lett Milton Ulladulla Times
Secretary: Miriam Miller, NSW. Miriam a talented rug maker and Author of Proggy and Hooky Rugs has pioneered the revival of proggy and hooky rugs in Australia.
She has also inspired many others to share her passion and has transformed the traditional craft of rag rugging into a new form of artistic expression. Miriam’s work has appeared in exhibitions in Wollongong, Nowra, Braidwood, with solo and joint exhibitions in Sydney and Milton, NSW.
Miriam was the first Presidsent of the Australian Rugmakers Guild from 2008-2014. Now President Emeritus, Miriam has accepted the nomination of Secretary. Miriam is a member of The International Guild of Hand Hooking Rugmakers (TIGHR) – President of that organization for three years (2009-2012).
Editor/Membership Chair: Josephine (Jo) Franco; Co-Founder of the Australian Rugmakers Guild.
Jo was introduced to traditional rug hooking while living in the United States and became an accredited teacher with the Pearl K. McGown Hookcrafting Guild.
Jo travelled to the UK and the USA to attend rug hooking conferences as a member and panel participant and to give workshops.
On her return to Australia Jo has become interested in the use of recycled fabrics and creating her own designs for wall hangings, wearables and three-dimensional pieces.
As Editor for the Australian Rugmakers Guild she is working to create an interest across Australia in rug hooking techniques and has been instrumental in setting up community rug hooking groups, while playing a key role in supporting isolated rug hookers across the country with her knowledge and skills of this craft.
Jo is a member of the International Guild of Hand Hooking Rugmakers and was Editor of the International Guild’s “Hooking Matters” when Australia was the host country. (2009-2012).
Webmaster: Judi Tompkins
Judi says – I grew up in the “big snow” area of Northern Michigan (USA) in a time of when thrift, recycling and traditional crafts – the philosophy of “passing it on” was the norm. I watched my grandmother and her sewing circle of friends patiently recycle unwanted fabrics into hooked and braided rugs, art quilts and other practical creations.
When I retired from my career as a consultant (2007) I had time to focus on my interest in fibre, in particular, Rug Hooking.
As an educator, the concept of sharing knowledge “passing it on” is important to me, so I joined the growing Australian Guild of Rug Crafters working to save and revive this traditional craft.
My interest with fibre means that I have come full circle and suddenly feel part of my grandmother’s “quilting bee ladies” and the artisans I’ve met over the years.
The unhurried nature of the craft takes me on a journey that gives me time to reflect on both the subject and my work and the materials I use. I enjoy every step of the way.
Back to the Strath Matters weekend Exhibition …..
The Committee’s two Judiths ………. Judith Stephens retiring President (Co-Founder of the Australian Rugmakers Guild) and Judith Tompkins, Webmaster,
The two “Judith’s” Judith Stephens, Retiring President with Webmaster Judi Tompkins discussing the rugs on display.
and the two Jacquelines ………
On Saturday morning, during Yvonne Dalton’s presentation, two tourists visiting the area stopped into the Town Hall to see what was happening. Both ladies were from France, only one spoke English and was enthralled listening to Yvonne tell how she was taking her fabric, eco dyed (using a tree-wrapping process) in another direction, creating collages with fabric and her handmade paper and also using the dyed fabric to develop three dimensional works.
Yvonne told a humorous story involving a group of young women who bared all on Yvonne’s work-table to allow her to make a mould of their torso’s which Yvonne then used to create 3D sculptural work.
The second lady spoke no English and when she spotted Jacqui Thomson’s name tag, indicating herself, said “Jacqueline” – where upon Jacqui nodded in agreement – after some more “hand signals” it was discovered the visitors name was also Jacqueline.
The visiting Jacqueline spoke several languages, including Spanish – so with our Jacqui’s smattering of French and yours truly’s use of fractured Spanish – the three of us were able to hold conversation. The visitor looked excited, and I believe that might have gone down in her travel journal as a special moment.
Betty Wolf’s tapestry weaving demonstration followed. With Betty’s permission, I attempted to record her demonstration on my phone. In the large space full of chattering visitors it was quite a challenge, but Kira Mead has been able to work her magic. Here is the video which wasn’t shown in the earlier Blog.
The Guild President also the leader of the Strath Matters had her hands full, not only with the weekend rug exhibition but also organising the Strath Matters entries at the Strathalbyn Show. Behind the scene, Jenny B was quietly keeping things running smoothly in the kitchen – with tea/coffee and cake available to the visitors and presenting drinks and nibbles to members after the Guild meeting.
Winding up this successful weekend it was hard to to believe it’s been over 10 years since the formation of the Guild in Strathalbyn, South Australia during the StrathMatters very first Exhibition.
Pictured below at the end of the 2008 Exhibition are members of the ARG Committee, seated – Judith Stephens, Vice President, Jo Franco, Editor along with the newly elected President, Miriam Miller – three very tied rug hookers.
Judith Stephens, Jo Franco & Miriam Miller, Strathalbyn 2008
Unfortunately, this year’s Exhibition did not end well for Miriam – who was returning to Milton via Canberra with Maggie Whyte and the Canadian visitors, Susan Sutherland and Karen Kaiser.
While driving from Canberra back to Milton it was obvious Miriam was not well so the hospital was their first stop when they reached Milton. The Doctors decided she needed to be in ICU immediately, which meant a helicopter ride to Sydney. Miriam said it was noisy and cold and she was in so much pain she couldn’t enjoy the exciting experience.
From the Editor: I’m pleased to say Miriam has made a good recovery and is back at home at Narrawilly in Milton. While still recuperating, she is happy to respond to emails from well wishers, but has not been able to publish her newsletter – so watch for an end of year wrap up from her.
Looking forward to bringing you more news from the Survey. Happy Hooking
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Guild Secretary, Miriam Miller (Pres. Emeritus) kept busy during the lockdown – not only putting out her monthly newsletter but working on her second BIG rug. The first one graces the floor of her living room – 
As the wall hanging is 3 metres long, I have a join in the centre. I did this by lying one end over the other and stitching down each side. A little harder to hook through double. I hooked a line around the outside of the pattern area. Then a good friend Annmaree kindly drew drew a sunflower design with mountains in the background. 
with roller cutter.
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