International Rug Hooking Day

 ….   4th December 2014  ….

This inaugural event was organized by TIGHR

(The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers)

Events around Australia – starting on the East Coast …….. and finishing in the West

Queensland:

Here are some happy snaps of Judi Tompkins group (Sunshine Coast RugCrafters) who met at her Studio on Dec 4. The group celebrated International Rughooking Day and worked on setting up some new projects so they can stay busy over the holidays.

newprojectseriousplanningstartinganewprojectMore about the Sunshine Coast Rug Crafters on Judi’s website Rug Crafting Australia.

 Still in Queensland ……  Project    “11 and Beyond”

Launch_of_11_and_Beyond_on_Intl_Rugmaking_Day_by_Australian_Rugmaker_Guild_member_Bec_Andersen

 Bec Andersen (Artist in Residency Jan-May 2015)  held her Project Launch

Dec 4th at 10am at the Tamborine Mountain Library

to celebrate International Rughooking Day

Bec is collaborating with Tamborine Mountain State School to work with Year 6 children to develop a fibre project from digital design to production.

Bec_Andersen_Punchneedle_Rugmaking_Qld_Australia_Rugmakers_Guild_member

This project is inspired by the cultural shift that occurs in Queensland in 2015 where Year 7 children will become the first year of high school and Year 6 children will be the leaders of the primary school.

Read more about this project ….

 

and in Kingaroy, QLD …………..Rag_rug_hooked_by_Judith_Brook_Aust_and_NewZealand

Judith Brook, long time member of TIGHR,  is originally from New Zealand, and is a founding member of the Australian Guild. Judith is part of a local arts group in Kingaroy with access to exhibition space where she promotes rug hooking. She also has pieces in the local craft gallery and says the rugs always make a hit. There are a number of people in the area eager to learn this craft so she will be organizing a rug making workshop in the New Year. For information email judylbrook@gmail.com

Earlier this year Judith exhibited this wall hanging to commemorate

100 Years of ANZACS”

names from the Roll of Honour at the local war memorial of all the men from the area who died in the 1st World War are hand-written on the flag which is the backdrop for this piece.  Your can read more about how this piece was created in an earlier post.

 

Rag_rug_hooked_by_Judith_Book_of_Aust_and_NZ_entered_in_exhibition_commemorating_100_years_of_ANZACs_1914-2014

 New South Wales:

The Narrawilly Proggers celebrated International Rughooking Day at their Christmas Lunch on Dec 5th at Miriam Miller’s Rug Room in Milton.

???????????????????????????????Bev Latta, Sheila Lucas, and Christine Alexander catch up on the verandah outside Miriam’s Rug room.  Sheila came up from Bermagui (south of Milton) with Dawn Hollins and Kathy Cannirs members of the Bermagui & Dist. U3A Rug Hookers.

The Narrawill Proggy Rugmakers also held their annual Fashion Parade – where members of the group model a selection of garments from those given to them by a local Op Shop to cut up and use in their rugs. After a rather hilarious fashion parade compered by Jacqui Thomson,  the guests then bid on the garments. According to Jacqui “it was load of fun, as always, with temperamental models, at great expense”

Bidding is spirited as they all know the money raised goes to support Heather Ritchie’s Rug Hooking School for the Blind in The Gambia.

 ??????????????????????modelsThis year Jacqui’s actions were somewhat curtailed, as a few weeks ago she slipped, fell and broke her ankle. However being the trooper that she is, she filled her usual role decked out in her “moon boot” complete with Christmas bow.

Jacqui_Thomson_and_friend_Milton_NSW_Dec_5_2014Jacqui talking here with Maizie Bennett, said “Carol Treloar did the great boot decorations. Nothing escapes her”

After_fashion_show_at_Milton

ACT :

Maggie_Whyte_V_Pres_Secretary_ARGMaggie Whyte from Canberra and friends from Braidwood & Milton, New South Proggy_Xmas_trees_by_Maggie_Whyte_ACT_AustraliaWales, celebrated International Rughooking Day on the 22nd & 23rd November while exhibiting rugs and demonstrating rug hooking at the Airing of the Quilts in Braidwood, NSW (approxiately an hours drive from both Canberra and Milton).  (Pictured here are Maggie’s proggy Christmas trees.)

Read more about this annual event on  June Weatherstone’s website – June, the founder of this event in Braidwood, is a member of the Narrawilly Proggy Rugmakes and the Australian Rugmakers Guild.

The “Coffee Shop” rug below was hooked by Maggie Hickey, who is shown here demonstrating rughooking

Coffee_Shop_hooked_by_Maggie_Hickey_Braidwood_Australia

 Maggie_Hickey_demonstrating_rug_hooking_Braidwood_Australia

Despite sweltering heat over the weekend, the event was a great success with members of the public showing much interest in the rugmaking techniques and having a try at both hooky and proggy.

This colourful  “Beach Huts” rug was hooked by Janet Walker.

 Beach_huts_hooked_by_Janet_Walker_NSW_Australia

There was truly an international connection at this event with a visit by Ruth Hassall who has been living in Switzerland.  Ruth helped to hang the rugs –  below is an unfinished cow rug designed and hooked by Ruth.

 Hooked_rug_by_Ruth_Hassall

 Victoria :

Living in country Victoria, at least an hour apart, the Yarra Valley Rugmakers travel a long way to get together.  Some of their faithful members were missing at their Nov meeting and with Christmas fast approaching they decided to make their 13th Dec meeting a special Christmas celebration day and to also celebrate International Rug Hooking Day.

They’ll share with each other their personal and internet experiences with rugging friends around the world.  As well, they’ll talk about how they can spread the word about rug hooking to other Victorians.

Click here to read more about this very enthusiastic and hospitable rug hooking group.

Catherine_with_Hit_and_Miss_Horse_visiting_Victoria_Australia(Left) Katherine, a Canadian rug hooker, was headed for Australia – she searched the net for rughookers and found Miriam Miller in New South Wales and with husband Alan, visited Miriam at her Rug Room. Their travels were taking them on to Victoria so Miriam gave them Chris’s address –

Catherine_and_Alan_visiting_Miriam_NSW_Australia

 

and Chris invited Katherine & Alan to spend time with her family.

Chris_from_Victoria_Aust_and_Catherine_from_CanadaIn 2012 at the TIGHR Conference in South Australia, Chris took a class from Heather Ritchie, learning how to adapt a hooking design from a photo.  Chris has since created some wonderful wall hangings of hooked faces inspired by photos of her grandchildren.

 Last October Chris returned to Strathalbyn to the 2014 Rumaking Expo as a teacher of this technique.

Below are images of the latest “Grandson” rug in the planning and hooking stages:-

Grandson Sam planning

   Grandson_Sam_taking_shape_hooked_by_Chris_Noorbergen_VIC_Australia

Tasmania:

The Happy Hookers will be celebrating International Rug Making Day at their Christmas luncheon on Thursday 11th December at the British Hotel in Deloraine.

British HotelThey have been hooking together for a decade in the Deloraine community and welcome new members and visitors to meet them over a cuppa at the British Hotel in Deloraine on Thursdays (10am – midday).   Find them on Facebook.

 South Australia :

On Dec 4th, after arriving home from an overseas trip on Dec 3, Judith Stephens gave a presentation on the craft of rag rug making to a huge (300+) craft group .  She had to do the talk twice because the group was too big for one venue.  Next year Judith will be giving rug making classes to people from this group.

Judith_Stephens_Pres_Aust_Rugmakers_Guild_Rag_Rug_presentation_South_Australia

While their leader was away, the Strath Matters had a change of venue and view – they held their meeting and celebrated International Rughooking Day in advance at Jenny A’s house

 Strath_Matters_change_of_view_South_AustMarion is hooking a Stuart Pea (State Flower of South Australia);

below –  Irene’s proggy rug, Jenny A’s crocheted rope bowl and Maggie’s cushion with the hooked frogs leaping around the proggy waterlilies.

Proggy_mat_by_Irene_HastingsJenny_Andersen_Crocheted_rope_bowel_Strath_Matters_Sth_AustraliaFrogs_and_Waterlillies_designed_hooked_by_Maggie_Lucas

At the October 2014 Rugmaking Expo in Strathalbyn, Trish Carter of the Strath Matters, purchased an old SEMCO pattern from Faye, who was selling off her stash of rug patterns on Scottish Hessian.  Faye must have stored her rug hooking supplies well, because the Hessian patterns were in excellent condition even though some were at least 30 years old. Jo Franco purchased one with a “Rittemere” only on the label – that is going back a ways.

You can tell Trish is a “horse person” – although there was no accompanying photo with this pattern Trish has done an excellent job depicting movement and the anatomy of the horse.

Semco_Horse_hooked_by_Trish_Carter_Strath_Matters_Sth_Australia

 

Western Australia:  Wanneroo_Rugmakers_West_Australia_Xmas_Lunch_proddy_table_decorations

Jo Franco also returned from overseas on the 3rd Dec and on the 4th, joined members of the Wanneroo Rugmakers at the Burns Beach Cafe for their Christmas Lunch and to celebrate International Rughooking Day, at  a rug hooking session in the sunshine on the beach.

Wanneroo_Rugmakers_West_Aust_Xmas_Lunch_Intl_Rugmaking_DayWanneroo_Rugmakers_West_Australia_Intl_Rugmaking_Day_celebrationWanneroo_Rugmakers_West_Aust_members_Aust_Rugmakers_Guild_Intl_Rugmaking_DayMembers of this group recently entered their rugs and wall hangings in competition at the Wanneroo Show (County Fair for our US readers).  The organizers of the Show have now created a separate category for Rug Making – and pieces are judged depending on the rugmaking technique used.

INTERNATIONAL :

Susan Feller, TIGHR Webmaster,

was instrumental in setting up this global event

seen here Skyping with Jo Franco (Western Australia)  & Judi Tompkins (Queensland) on the evening of 4th Dec (USA time).

Skypeon Dec4

Events around the Globe were captured on TIGHR’s Facebook.

A big “Thank You” to Deb Smith, Editor, Rug Hooking Magazine, and her crew for promoting this event and setting up a  Facebook page where events could be posted by rughookers themselves.

Lead up to International Rug Hooking Day

In Western Australia ……..

Robin Inkpen demonstrated rug hooking last weekend at a “Pop Up Market” at the annual Gourmet Food & Wine Fest in Donnybrook, a town of orchards in Western Australia.  All who took part in this venture were artisans of the first order.   Many came from far and wide to this gala event.  Robin was not selling handmade rugs from recycled fabric and yarn, instead was promoting her workshops in rug hooking and locker hooking.

?????????????????????????????

Robin said they had a great supporter in their local book shop, “Donnybooks”.  The owner welcomed them with open arms and let them have the Pop Up Market in the undercover area outside her shop, which is in an old fruit packing barn and nearby to the Food and Wine Fest.

pop upmarket  showing our banner

There was a constant queue of interested and curious people who were interested in both the technique of rug hooking which Robin was doing at the time and also keen to know that she was using recycled fabric and yarn.

Robin lasted about 5 hours before her voice gave out!  She said it was a great day and she collected a long list of email addresses of those wishing to come to a workshop and gave out masses of business cards to others who were interested and said they would email her.

It is just 3 weeks before Christmas and we are about to be plunged into the heat of summer, so her workshops won’t happen until March or April.

Anyone interested can contact Robin at robin.inkpen22@gmail.com or view her work on her website

End of Year News Round Up

 November/December –  a busy time of the year !

 In Western Australia – the Wanneroo Rugmakers Group have been involved with 5000 Poppies  – a Poppies_Wanneroonationwide project which aims to display handmade fabric poppies in Federation Square in Melbourne for the centenary of ANZAC Day 2015.

Communities across Australia were asked to donate their creations in commemoration of those who served in World War One.  The Wanneroo Museum has supported those in the community who wished to be involved, by gathering together locally made poppies.

In recognition of the Wanneroo community’s contribution,  a selection of the poppies (knitted, crocheted & prodded, attached to a section of WWII camouflage netting)  is currently on display in the atrium in front of the Museum at the Wanneroo Library and Cultural Centre.

Appropriate timing since the display will be up for  Remberance Day (11th Nov).

Poppie_Project_Wanneroo

Another Melbourne Connection: –   The Melbourne Cup

Melbourne_Cup_Fascinator

At their meeting on Saturday 1st November – the members of the Wanneroo Rugmakers were busy creating proddy flowers which were turned into stunning “fascinators” to be worn to Cup Lunches  the following Tuesday.

 

While in the South West – at Donnybrook

Robin Inkpen is getting ready for Christmas and has created yet another colourful hooked bag.

Robin has patterns for these bags available for sale in a kit which  includes the paper pattern, instructions on how to put it together and a coloured picture.  You can contact Robin at robin.inkpen22@gmail.com  and read more on her website.

Colourful_tote_designed_and_hooked_by_Robin_Inkpen_Donnybrook_Western_AustraliaColourful_tote_side_view_designed_and_hooked_by_Robin_Inkpen_Western_Australia

 

 South Australia; 

While our rug hooking friends in the northern hemisphere are rugging up for winter – it looks like South Australia is in for an extremely hot summer!

According to Jenny Anderson of the Strath Matters group, weather conditions at their meeting on Friday 7th November were extremely uncomfortable.  However the very hot temperatures didn’t deter their group from enjoying a show and tell of recent projects –

Willow_Tea_Cosy_Hooked_by_Jennifer_Anderson_Strath_Matters_South_AustraliaJenny’s tea cosy, a commercial pattern, (Willow) hooked in 12ply wool from Bendigo Woolen Mills, was purchased at the Strath Rugmaking Expo from Faye, a South Australian rug hooker who learned to hook  from Pam Whitehead in 1972. Pam was from England and had lived in Canada before migrating to the town of Elizabeth in SA in the late 1950’s.  Faye also knew Joyce Emery, a member of this Guild until recently, who was one of Pam’s first students, Pam and Joyce taught rughooking at a local girls high-school. Joyce went on to teach rug hooking in country areas around SA when Pam no longer could. Joyce was also a member of The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers; she was the first of the featured Australian Rugmakers during Australia’s term as Host Country 2009-2012.

Faye, Joyce and members of the Elizabeth Rug Group who were all Pam’s students, gathered at Pam’s home one Sunday each month for show & tell, afternoon tea and encouragement on projects. Faye said a lot of information and fabric was shared and Pam held a stock of rug patterns and fabric dyes (imported). Pam also imported cutting machines, hooks and other tools to sell to the Rug Group.  It was some of Faye’s 40 year collection of rug hooking supplies that was being sold at the Expo.

Many of the Expo participants purchased patterns and went home eager to start hooking. The one I purchased had an original tag on it from Rittermere in Canada. The company is now Rittermere, Hurst, Field (RHF – http://letshookrugs.com/).

Having met Jeanne Field at TIGHR Conferences and heard how she came to be connected with Rittermere, this was a special purchase for me.  Jeanne is now retired from the business and RHF is being run by her daughter Andrea Sheppard.  It is truly amazing how rughooking spans the globe and links us to friends and other times.

It will be interesting to see images of the old patterns appear on this blog as they are finished – it will be a trip down memory lane for some of our rug hooking friends overseas.

 

Koala_cushion_cover_hooked_by_Trish_Carter_Strath_Matters_South_AustraliaDragon_designed_and_hooked_by_Tish_Carter_Strath_Matters_South_AustraliaTrish Carter drew up her own pattern on Hessian for the Koala – hooked with Judith Stephens’  hand-dyed carpet wool – it’s destined to become a cushion cover.

Trish’s dragon rug was also hooked using Judith’s hand-dyed wool yarn.

Craft&Quilt_2011Expertise Events Quilt Xmas_tree_prodded_by_Judith_Stephens_South_Australia& Craft Fair 

http://www.craftfair.com.au/wp/Adelaide/ 

13th – 16th November in Adelaide.

As Christmas is not far away, the Strath Matters will feature Christmas Trees on the Guild Stand

Pictured right is a prodded Christmas Tree by Judith Stephens

VICTORIA:

Below; Chris Noorbergen, a member of the Yarra Valley Rugmakers, with Marion Nefiodovas of the Strath Matters, at the Strathalbyn Rugmaking Expo. Chris is explaining her colour plan for the Canadian rug pattern she purchased from Faye. After the event Faye was able to provide Chris with a photo of this rug completed by one of the members of the Elizabeth rugmakers group.  You can see the photo and read more about Chris’s experiences at the Strathalbyn Expo on the Yarra Valley Rugmakers blog

 Chris_Noorbergen_Marion_Nefiodovas_Strahalbyn_Rugmaking_Expo_2014

 NEW SOUTH WALES:

Members there are also thinking Christmas –

in March this year Annette White’s  “Three Wise Men” rug was featured as a work in progress in a news report of the Narrawilly Ruggers weekend rug retreat at  Milton – here it is again.

Three Wise Men by Annette White
Three Wise Men by Annette White

 …..and now,  here is the finished wall hanging.  It is 57cm x 57cm and Annette hooked with all recycled silky materials; velvet, wool and ribbon with pieces of broken jewelry added to give the crowns some sparkle.3_wise_men_hooked_by_annette_white_nsw_australia_57cmX57cm_hooked_with_silky_materials_velvet_wool_ ribbons_bits_of_broken_jewelry_attached_cufflinks_in_crowns_all_recycled

INTERNATIONAL:

TIGHR Logo RS

International Rughooking Day – Thursday 4th December 2014.

The TIGHR web manager would like to hear of any specific events  Australian Groups have planned for this Celebration which is to be featured in Rug Hooking Magazine.

Please send “who, what, where” to Susan Feller  (email: rugs2wv@yahoo.com)  so she can post on the TIGHR website.   If you’ve got something happening ahead of time, please send her images and a description of the event.

OR….. members can send an image/s of any events happening on the 4th December to Susan on the day – there is a 12 hour difference between Perth and where Susan is,        (so 15 hours from Sydney)  she will post your Aussie 4th Dec images on the Rug Hooking Magazine page in the wee hours of the morning on the 4th December in the USA thus Aussie events would be the first to show up.

Two events are already scheduled in WA  –

The Wanneroo Rugmakers will meet at an ocean-side restaurant on the 4th of December for their Christmas Lunch and then adjourn to the beach for an afternoon of rughooking show and tell.  The location is a popular  one, so they will probably draw a crowd.

South of Perth in Donnybrookapple country – rughooking will be celebrated ahead of the December 4th.   On November 29th there will be a Gourmet Food and Wine Fest in Donnybrook, a town not far from the the vineyards and wineries of Margaret River.

A small group is having a POP UP MARKET during the Festival where Robin Inkpen will be promoting rug hooking and her workshops.  As well as demonstrations, she  will also display a few rugs, but is not expecting to sell them. Robins says people always love the rugs but are much keener to know “How did you make them?”   Robin says people love watching you ‘do something’ so she’ll sit hooking a rug and is expecting to be a draw-card for the event.

,   –

ArtFest Exhibition

artfest-face-colour-sml-sq-cropped

Milton-Ulladulla Artfest 19th Sept – 5th Oct

Annette White_NSW_Australia

The following report was forwarded by Annette White of New South Wales.

As part of the annual Milton-Ulladulla Artfest, the Narrawilly Rugmakers entered a substantial variety of rugs made by members of the group for Exhibition in Miriam Miller’s rug room and picturesque surrounds.   The Proggy banners made by Coral Christina, were a great help in directing people there.

NarrawillyThe beautiful spring weather couldn’t have been more favorable.  Even the setting up of the venue was fun to do; rugmakers equipped with hammers, nails and string, decorated the timber walls of Miriam’s cottage in vibrant colours, patterns and pictures hooked and progged into beautiful rugs.

Hand_hooked_rugs_Narrawilly_Milton_NSW_AustraliaRugs were hanging from trees, flowing in the breeze on the washing line, and draped over the kitchen garden fence.

Garden_display_hand_hooked_rugs_Narrawilly_Milton_NSW_Australia

As one stepped into the famous rug room, they would be greeted by ever more rugs, including two rugs made and donated by Canada’s Karen Kaiser.   A couple of items made by blind people in The Gambia were also displayed.

People had a chance to see some rug making in progress, and also give the craft a try on a stretcher frame set up outside.  It was a pleasure to see how keen and interested our visitors were, especially some young boys who showed considerable talent.

Your couldn’t miss the sign to the tea & coffee stall.  Delicious homemade cakes were served and then enjoyed on the veranda; decorated with more beautiful creations of the rug making trade, together with a stunning view over the surrounding landscape.   It was nice to see happy people lingering and relaxing over their refreshments.  A nice amount of money made from selling these and the raffle tickets recovered the cost for entry of the Expo into Artfest and a donation to the Blind Ruggers in The Gambia.

The flow of visiting people was steady, and it seemed every one was impressed with what can be produced with up-cycled discarded clothing, old blankets, yarns, never ending resources.  The atmosphere was great, and hopefully people went home inspired to be creative.

Before the “big rush” on Sunday morning, Miriam drove a small group of us to Granite Falls to admire the lush abundance of the Boronia flowers and the spectacular view of the water falls.  A much appreciated treat.

Boronia_Granite_Falls_NSW_Australia

Granite Falls_NSW_Australia

We are very grateful to Miriam for initiating such wonderful events and opening up her beautiful home and surrounds for all to enjoy.

Miriam Miller, rughooking instructor, NSW Australia_photo, Gillian Lett Milton Ulladulla Times
Miriam Miller, rughooking instructor, NSW Australia_photo, Gillian Lett Milton Ulladulla Times

 

 

Seeking Rug Hooking Advice ….

A U3A rugmaking group, 20 active women in Bermagui, NSW, has taken on a very ambitious project:-

they are planning to create a 7metre wall hanging to help absorb sound in the local Surf Life Saving Club.

Here are just a few of the group of novice rugmakers with their first practice pieces.

Anja, Dawn, Sheila, Hazel, Lyn and Elizabeth (kneeling)

U3A_Rug_hooking_Group_Bermagui_NSW_Australia_Anja_Dawn_Sheila_Hazel_Lyn_ElizabethThis community arts project has begun with a local artist (86 year old Rona) painting her 7metre drawing of a Bermagui scene.  When completed the group will transfer the design to 1 metre panels of backing so that they can work on it in small groups.

They think the completed panels will have to be hung individually, with a small space between, as joined together the wall hanging would be enormously heavy and unwieldy.   The leader of the group is a self taught rug hooker, the rest have no experience with rug hooking, but between them they are coming up with some sensible solutions.

They’d welcome  any advice on their proposed project

(Besides……………… not  to attempt such a hug project in the first place!)

You can post a comment below, or email rugcraftersaustralia@yahoo.com.au and your message will be forwarded.

Collaborative Fibre Art

What do you get when you marry a lost traditional craft with one-off design?

Three pieces of unique and valuable fibre art!

In January, it was decided that it was time for the members of the Sunshine Coast Rug Crafters to “fly solo” on a collaborative community project that would challenge them to design and handcraft a series of fibre art pieces that would ultimately be donated for a community fund raising project.

Sushine_Coast_Rugmakers_with_RugHooked_project_for_Beerwah_Friends_of_the_LibraryJudi Tompkins (group coordinator) recognised that some members were not convinced they “really” had the skills to produce fibre art of a quality that it could be offered for public display – in spite of the fact that nearly every member had been besieged to “make me something” by a friend or family member.

Behind the scenes, Judi thought this community project would be an ideal way to let the group prove to themselves that they had the skills to carry off such a major project and planning sessions were held regularly at Judi’s studio. (Judi did not work on any of the pieces but was available to discuss traditional techniques and design.)

???????????????????????????????The group decided to design and hook three wall hangings using the theme “Under the Sea” and guidelines were developed to insure that the three pieces could “stand alone” or be displayed as a triptych of the chosen theme:  “Under the Sea”.

Each piece incorporated some of the same fabric so the theme was carried through with the materials as well as the topic.  The members sorted themselves loosely into three teams and over the next nine months gave birth to three healthy, unique pieces of fibre art.

???????????????????????????????

 

A spectrum of positive outcomes resulted from this group collaboration:

  • The project confirmed members knew more about this craft than they realised.
  • Through collaboration they developed skills to give and receive praise / criticism.
  • Recognition they possessed good problem-solving skills – they didn’t need “the teacher” to fix things.
  • Members’ knowledge / skills of other crafts led to innovative solutions.Underwater_treasures_back
  • All learned to project plan every finished project – not just those for public display.
  • They can each confidently offer advice and help to others.
  • Collaboration is a great way to work – at least once in a while!
???????????????????????????????

In appreciation for their support of the Sunshine Coast Rug Crafters, the triptych of wall hangings were delivered to staff of the Beerwah Library and the “Friends of the Beerwah Library” for their fund raising activities.

This project was well documented to see more images click Sunshine Coast Rug Crafters at work.

Narrawilly Rugmakers Celebrate 20 Years 1994-2014

Jacqueline Thomson, ARG SecretaryThe following report was submitted 1 Narrawilly Proggers

by Jacqui Thomson

of the Narrawilly Proggers:

They came from near and far;

43 women devoted to the art of making beautiful but practical rugs and wall hangings from recycled fabric.

Jacqui_Thomson_with_visitors_20_year_Reunion_of_Narrawilly_Rugmakers

They came despite the wind and rain – nothing would prevent them from making this Tractor_to_the_rescue_Muddy_parking_areaoccasion memorable, and it was.

 (Maggie Whyte besides the huge tractor we needed to pull a car from the boggy paddock.   Many inches fell this day while we were inside the Rug Room having a great time.)

 It all began in September 1994 after an advertisement was placed in the local paper. Seven women gathered in Miriam Miller’s home to be shown “how it’s done”, and left very keen to continue on with a meeting on a monthly basis.  Who would have thought then, that 20 years later we still meet on the first Friday of the month and only a few years ago included the third Friday.   We have never missed holding our rug day since inception.  Our meetings are held on the Miller property, in Milton.

Narrawilly, NSW

When thanking all for coming, Miriam outlined our brief history and where rug making has taken us; from small beginnings to being able to invite International Rug teachers to our shores.   Members have been enriched by their visits as they impart new ideas and techniques.  Australian rugs have their own individuality and from slow beginnings the enthusiasm for making rugs has spread to every State, with healthy groups in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland, ACT and New South Wales.  We can now boast an Australian Rugmakers Guild formed on 11 October, 2008 with Board members from each State, and meetings held using Skype.  We had “Show and Tell” following Miriam’s talk and saw some wonderful examples of our members’ expertise.

Miriam Miller, teacher, Emeritus of the Australian Rugmakers Guild., Past President of The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers, is a driving force in the promotion of rugmaking in Australia;  she is the author of Australia’s first rug book “Proggy and Hooky Rugs”, and has recently brought forward a revised edition.Miriam_Miller_Australia_rughooker_and_author_of_Proggy_and_Hooky_Rugs

   Her students have traveled from every corner of our country.

Since inception we have diligently kept a record of every meeting and the rugs made by our members. These books were on display for members to look back on and to reminisce – how some of us have changed.

Maxine Keys, who was unable to make the reunion, sent a hand-knitted rug for us to raise funds and the charity we chose was The Gambia School for the Blind in West Africa.   This was hugely successful, and the winner was Florence Smart from North Turramurra.

Original_advertisement_rughooking_group_1994

 

It’s amazing isn’t it;  from little things big things grow.  Who would have thought that the small advertisement in our local paper 20 years ago led us to where we are today.

 

Canberra – Canadian – Connection

The previous post showed images from the Canberra Quilt & Craft Fair.

Displayed at the Australian Rugmakers Guild stand was a brilliantly coloured rug featuring Canadian Maple leaves.


 

Hooked_by_Karen_Kaiser_CanadaThis rug was hooked by Karen Kaiser from Canada who recently visited Milton, NSW and gave two workshops at Miriam Miller’s Rug Room at Narrawilly.  As she was leaving, in appreciation for their wonderful hospitality, Karen gave Miriam and Jacqui two of her rugs.

Miriam and Jacqui travelled to Canberra to help Maggie Whyte on the first day of the Fair and they took the Maple Leaf rug to display.  Maggie was thrilled as she is also a member of the Narrawilly Proggers and had attended Karen’s workshops.

So even though Karen didn’t make it to Canberra on her Australian visit  – her rug did.

Canberra Craft & Quilt Fair

Craft&Quilt_2011

Expertise Events Canberra Fair.

The Australian Rugmakers Guild was represented for the first time at Expertise Events Craft Fair in Canberra last week.   Maggie Whyte was responsible for organizing friends and local rugmakers to demonstrate rughooking.

Rughooking_demonstrations_Canberra_AustraliaRughooking_demonstration_Craft_Quilt_Fair_Canberra_Australia

Maggie said it was a great success – they talked and demonstrated to so many, there was hardly time for a coffee.

Rughooking_stand_Craft_Quile_Fair_Canberra_AustraliaRughooking_Canberra_Australia_2014

 

 

 

 

Maggie said she heard so many times….. “my mother or grand-mother used to do this or they did it as small children”.  She’s wondering what happened to the interest in rughooking in the meantime?

Hopefully these demonstrations, follow-up local workshops and national events, like the South Australian Rughooking Expo, will generate more interest in this craft.

Look for a group in your area or an Instructor on this website.

Maggie_Whyte_and_visitors_from_NSW_Canberra_Craft_&_Quilt_Fair_2014

Visiting Canadians

The Narrawilly Proggy Ruggers recently enjoyed a visit from a top Canadian Rug Maker.

Kurt_and_Karen_in_OZKaren Kaiser, of the Ontario Hooking Craft Guild, and her husband Kurt, from Belleville, Ontario, were visiting the Milton-Ulladulla area and while at Narrawilly Karen held two workshops.  On design and colour in rugs and the other, dyeing and backgrounds.

 

Karen_Kaisers_workshop_Milton_Australia

(Above)  Karen, preparing dye 1 Miriam_Miller_Australia_Karen_Kaiser_Canada_Jacqui_Thomson_Australiapots and

(Right) Karen with Miriam Miller and Jacqui Thomson who organized the workshops in Miriam’s Rug Room at Narrawilly

  Both workshops were attended by enthusiastic rugmakers who were pleased to have the opportunity to learn from an international instructor.

 Local rugmakers were amazed to hear the Ontario Hooking Craft Guild has over 1,000 members and fascinated to hear about the differences in their rugmaking.

Canadians and Americans tend to use new wool fabric, whereas most Australians use recycled fabrics.   While recycled fabrics make rugmaking very inexpensive, it is sometimes a challenge to find just the right colour to create the desired effect.

3 Maggie_Whyte_ACT_and_Elke_Smith_Hill_NSW_Australia_at_Karen_Kaisers_workshop

 

 

(Left)  Maggie Whyte (Canberra, ACT) and Elke Smith-Hill (NSW) are members of the Narrawilly Proggy Ruggers and also The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers. (TIGHR)  Images of work by both Maggie and Elke are shown on the TIGHR website along with a translation into German by Elke – “Why Join TIGHR“.

Karen, Miriam and Jacqui are also TIGHR members.

 

(Below)Setting up Karen’s rugs for display at the workshop; note Poppies by Karen on the back wall.

6 setting_up_ Karen_Kaisers_rugs_for_her_workshop4 Narrawilly_Proggy_Ruggers_at_Karen_Kaisers_workshop_Aug_2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are interested in seeing some of the Narrawilly Proggy Ruggers work, they are holding a rug exhibition as part of Milton’s Artfest during the weekend of 27th/28th September, 2014   from 10a.m. to 4p.m.

The Venue:  “The Rug Room”  35 Stony Hill Lane, Milton