Author: RugCrafters australia

Common Threads Wearable Art Showcase

Rughooking meets Wearable Art

Ebb & Flow
Ebb & Flow, photographer Michael Kelly, Star Creations

Western Australia: 

“Drift” – the theme for “Common Threads” the City of Mandurahs 2014 Wearable Art Event, open to local, national and international entrants. Finalists to Showcase at the Mandurah Performing Art Centre on 4th May 2014.

Wanneroo Rugmakers entry, “Ebb & Flow” has been chosen as a finalist in the Eco Category.

Ebb & Flow hooked by the Wanneroo Rugmakers
Ebb & Flow hooked by the Wanneroo Rugmakers

Turquoise waters and white sand beaches of the local coastline inspired the swirling pattern on the group’s creation, representing the incoming tide drifting onto the shore.

The challenge for the Rugmakers:  How to create a garment using a rughooking technique for making floor mats that was —

a) not too heavy to wear and

b) created an appearance of  floating or  drifting water,  and

c) could be made by a team who “drift in” as an informal group to create items for the community using rug hooking techniques and recycled materials.  This group brings community members together, teaching them rughooking techniques in a revival of the traditional art/craft form.

Colour planning design of Ebb & Flow dress back panels
Colour planing dress pieces to be hooked

 

Rughooked with recycled fabrics
Rughooked with recycled fabrics

  An old net curtain was chosen as the backing (foundation cloth) and a Vogue dress pattern with multiple panels in the bodice and skirt, for the base garment. Pattern pieces and the design were drawn onto sections of the curtain. Colour planning entailed tying pieces of fabric in the appropriate areas. This meant when the design pieces were shared around to be hooked, everyone would know what colour/fabric to use and the design would match up when it came to attaching to the dress form.

During “construction” many ideas were tossed around by the group – from a mermaid costume with beaded train – to encrusting the creation with shells and driftwood and other found objects.

Some member of the Design team at work
Some member of the Design team at work

To hold the extra weight of the hooking, the undergarment was made up with the wide straps shown on the dress pattern.  After much discussion as the garment was taking shape, it was decided that less was more when it came to representing the drifting swirling theme.

 

Kath Smith assembling the rug hooked entry.
Kath Smith assembling the rug hooked entry.

It turned out weight wasn’t a problem. The backing and fabric used was so light – plus the dress was constructed per the instructions using boning in the bodice, which molded it to the figure. Straps seemed unnecessary so were eliminated creating a more ephemeral look.

Jo Franco & Kath Smith hooking sections of Ebb & Flow
Jo Franco & Kath Smith hooking sections of Ebb & Flow

The group didn’t have a model, so work progressed on a mannequin making sure pattern pieces came together to create a seamless effect. What a thrill the  morning of the judging to have a lovely young model step into the finished creation, pull up the zip and have it fit her like a glove.

 Wanneroo Rugmakers Saturday morning meeting

Wanneroo Rugmakers Saturday morning meeting

 

More Glorious Colour!

More Glorious Colour!

On the evening of February 25th 2014, after having just arrived in Perth and coming straight from the airport,  Brandon Ma1 Kaffe Fassett (2)bly introduced Kaffe Fassett, who gave a presentation about his love of colour.  The audience sat enthralled as Kaffe talked about his new book Dreaming in Colour which follows his growing up years in California and journey into colour.  It is full of fabulous colour images of creations by himself and Brandon, and documents their travels to exotic places which inspire their textile designs.

The Western Australian Fibre Textile Assn Inc. (WAFTA) hosted this event at Modern School in Perth city. The stage of the auditorium was a blaze of colour with Kaffe and Brandon’s quilts and knitted creations. There were also colourful quilts created by WAFTA members and a fabulous silk “sail”  flowing from the choir stalls above, down to the stage.  This silk creation is 26m x 2m.  It is comprised of 144 individual pieces made by WAFTA members. Twelve ladies took 10 hours to compile, French seam and iron the sail.

Jo Franco with Kaffe Fassett signing book Photographer Josh Wells. Image courtesy of WAFTA
Jo Franco with Kaffe Fassett signing book
Photographer Josh Wells. Image courtesy of WAFTA

Modern School’s auditorium built in the 1920’s with raked seating, stained glass windows and aboriginal art exhibited on its paneled walls is impressive. Reference to the art work was made by Kaffe who said, looking up from the stage the colours of the audience resembled a “dot” painting on the wall.  All 300 seats were full. Tickets went on sale at the beginning of December and were sold out before Christmas.

A group of rug hookers from the northern suburb of Wanneroo and southwest town of Donnybrook, enjoying the colourful images showing on the big screen were surprized to see this rag rug appear

Rag Rug by Kaffe Fassett, Image courtesy of the Kaffe Fassett Studio
Rag Rug by Kaffe Fassett, Image courtesy of the Kaffe Fassett Studio

and to hear Kaffe talk about his use of recycled fabrics and original designs when creating rugs.  In Dreaming in Colour there is an image of a glorious rag rug by the fireplace in Kaffe’s dining room – nothing traditional about it!

A question/answer time followed and the evening finished with Kaffe signing copies of his books.

Photography of the event by Josh Wells.  Images courtesy of WAFTA.

Visiting a Canadian

Who travels “south” from OZ to meet a Canadian?

Jacqui Thomson, Miriam Miller & Sybil Mercer in NZJacqui Thomson and Miriam Miller flew across the Tasman Sea to visit their Canadian rug hooking friend Sybil Mercer who was holidaying in Wanaka, NZ.

Jacqui said it was an opportunity far too good to miss as Sybil lives in Southampton, a four hour drive from Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Sybil Mercers Punch Work

 

 Sybil has been engrossed in punchneedle hooking for some time now and gave Miriam and Jacqui a lesson while they were in New Zealand; both loved the punch work, especially Jacqui.

Jacqui commented that having made rug hooking friends around the world it is exciting to see their work.

Jacqui learning the art of fine punch needle and Miriam waiting her turn.

 

 

 

Right : Jacqui learning the art of fine punch needle and Miriam awaiting her turn.

Sybil also wrote to tell about making the visitors watch the Olympics, mostly the sport of curling of which she and her husband are passionate – although she said “the best part of the visit was my lesson in Punchneedle – they caught on immediately and I’m sure they will be demo-ing when they get home.”

So…. those of you planning to attend the Narrawilly Proggers Milton Rughooking Retreat in March be sure and ask for a demonstration.  

 


 

 

 

Story Rugs

Paulette Hackman is working on a book, Story Rugs, for Stackpole Publishing, USA and   says she has many great story images in from Canada, US, and the UK and in the hopes of getting the widest representation possible is making a point to send information on her project to places where little has been submitted .

June, 2014 is the deadline Daughters of the Northern Lights - CopyPaulette has set to review images for this wonderful collection of highly personalized rugs.

Do you have a story rug to submit? Read more About the Story Rug Project and feel free to contact Paulette directly if you have any questions.

Paulette is a member of ATHA, GMRHG, (Green Mountain Rug Hooking Guild) and has sat on the Editorial Board of Rug Hooking Magazine for a dozen years or so. You can also see much of her writing in Rug Hooking Magazine (search on her name).

One Aussie Guild Member who has completed a story rug is Chris Noorbergen who designed and hooked “My Love Rug” (85cmx 102cm)

 Family Tree story rug designed & hooked by Chris Noorbergen, Victoria AU

hooked on hessian backing with wool strips and some wool yarn. The fabric was mostly hand dyed by Chris. She says it is her family tree with one image of every person in the family, except her husband and herself.

Chris will be at the 2014 Strathalbyn Rughooking Expo in October, where she will be instructing those with “some” previous rughooking experience in the art of Hooking an A3 facial portrait from a photograph.

Calendar of Events 2014

Lake Joondalup by Lyn FrankeThis photograph of the dry lake bed at Joondalup, Western Australia, taken by local artist, Lyn Franke (2010) inspired the design of a wall-hanging (shown below) created as a community project by the Wanneroo Rug Makers.

Now part of the Wanneroo City Art Collection, this creation was displayed in “Within These Walls Exhibition”;  a combined exhibition collated by the Wanneroo Museum and Art Collections at the Wanneroo Library and Cultural Centre’s Gallery from 14 December 2013 to 2 February 2014.

Described on the city’s website  as, “an innovative and quirky exhibition, showcasing rarely seen artefacts from the Museum’s collection juxtaposed and harmonised with art works from the City’s Art collection.  A series of thematic spaces, dedicated to texture, the natural elements, machinery, still life and pop art.”

Lake Rug in progressLake Rug Joondalup

 

 

 

 

 

RUGHOOKING EVENTS COMING UP IN 2014

As a benefit of Guild membership there is a new tab/heading on this website where members can advertise their rughooking events.   Please send information about your event and images(.jpeg)  to rugcraftersaustralia@yahoo.com.au

Entries on the 2014 Calendar so far are from :-

Nalbinding tool - toothbrush rug by Bec Andersen, QldQUEENSLAND:

15th of March;  Bec Andersen – Workshop – Nalbinding (Toothbrush rugmaking).

1 Narrawilly ProggersNEW SOUTH WALES:   PENTAX Image28th – 31st March, the Narrawilly Proggy Ruggers invite you to join them in Milton for a long weekend of rugging and sharing.

Craft&Quilt_2011

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:  21st – 25th May,           

The Australian Rugmakers Guild will again be represented at the Expertise Events Perth Craft and Quilt Fair  – mark your calendars with this date and click the link for more information about the Fair.

 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:     11th & 12th October    

Save this weekend for the return of the successful

STRATHALBYN  RUG  HOOKING  EXPO

presented by Judith Stephens of Studio Blue

Detailed information about all of these events and workshops to be can been found on the  NEW  [Calendar of Events] tab on this website. 

A Studio Visit – second time around

Apologies;  there was a problem with the earlier post from Judi Tompkins in Queensland – here it is again.

Members of the Sunshine Coast Rug Crafters visited Renate Kirkpatrick (http://rensfibreart.wordpress.com/) who recently relocated her studio to Landsborough.

Pat Reid, Margaret Wallace and Joy SmithRenate started making Rag Rugs in the 80s using a hooked and shirred method (I have been referring to them as “clippy” but I might be wrong). She only worked with rag rugs for a short time but still has a number of the rugs on display in her home and studio.

Renate (l) Pat Reid (R) with one of Renate's "clippy" rugsUpon close examination it is clear that they were made with “rags” (lightweight cottons or other fabrics) but not wool. The surface of the rugs is dead level and it is only when you part the “nap” can you see how much the fabrics have faded over time (they were vivid colours when first hooked). Renate hooked these rugs on hessian, and then stitched a second layer of hessian on the back to protect the fibres.

Front of clippy rug

 

After 20+ years the rugs are extremely stiff and brittle and would need to be carefully handled.

 Back of clippy rug

Renate moved on with her fibre art; taught herself how to crochet and now focuses on free-form crochet (and has written several books on the topic).

Members of the SCRC wanted to welcome another fibre artist to this area and quite enjoyed the time they had touring Renate’s studio and examining the range of fibre art on display.

Photos of her Rag Rugs as well as her current free-form work can be seen on her blog.

The Challenge of Colour

What a great way to start the New Year –  an impromptu visit to Victoria  to view Isabel Foster’s – The Challenge of Colour Exhibition – at Burrinja Gallery in Upwey, VIC.

Isabel Foster Retrospect, Burrinja Gallery
Isabel Foster Retrospect, Burrinja Gallery

and to meet up with members of  the Yarra Valley Rugmakers who are also members of the Australian Rugmakers Guild.

Leanne, Joy, Jen & Renate
Leanne, Joy, Jen & Renate (VIC)

 

Judith (SA), Robyne (VIC) and Jo(WA)
Judith (SA), Robyne (VIC) and Jo(WA)

Isabel’s exhibition was mentioned in a recent Yarra Valley blog with links to a YouTube video of the opening. Seeing the gorgeous colours and textures of Isabel amazing collection of work completed over 50 years, we just had to make the trip. So there we were, myself from WA and a group of Australian Rugmakers Guild members  from the Strath Matters in SA.     Judy Stephens,  Noreen Wendleborn, Ann Johnston and Marion Nefiodovas.

With no formal training in textiles (Isabel was taught embroidery by a ‘perfectionist’ grandmother) over the years her curiosity with colour and texture became her passion. Works in the Exhibit represent her creative interests of spinning and weaving, tapestry, applique, crazy patchwork and rugs made with wool and rag and hand spun and hand dyed thread.  The colour and textures of the woven, embroidered, knitted, and crocheted surfaces of Isabel’s creations are amazing.

Weaving and rya-knotted rag rug 2002

Silk boa 2007

Embroidered coloured fibres

Arriving early at the gallery our group was delighted to meet Isabel, who was chatting with her daughter and some friends.   Isabel was quite surprized to learn that we had come from so far away to view her work and delighted in showing us around describing her creations and then joined us as we gathered in the gallery café to spend the rest of the day getting to know each other and discuss the different rug making techniques.

Isabel Foster (centre) at Burrinja Exhibition
Isabel  (centre) at Burrinja Exhibition

 This chance meeting with Isabel was very special for Robyne Melia from the Yarra Valley Group who, as a student at Melbourne College of Textiles in 1974, had glimpsed some of Isabel’s work, in particular a garment woven in one piece in an abstract design both wild and colourful, to be worn in Gown of the Year 1974.  It was this garment that opened a new way of thinking in fashion to this young student and there she was all these years later talking with its creator.

This Exhibition is open until 16 March 2014, don’t miss it!

For more information click on Burrinja Gallery 

News from Narrawilly Proggers

STOP THE PRESS !  –   Narrawilly Proggy Ruggers’  2014  Calendars advertised forPENTAX Image sale in the Guild Newsletter, sold out at their Christmas Party in Milton.

From Miriam Miller ……Saturday 7th December 2013;

Yesterday was our Christmas meeting of rugmakers and our annual fashion parade.   We had more than 50 here, and afterwards sold the clothing for 50 cents a piece, and raised $110 for Heather Ritchie’s project for the blind in The Gambia.

It was a very happy and good day; we had 7 come over from Canberra, and as usual the models were so good.  Best Wishes to all  –   Miriam.

Adelaide Quilt & Craft Fair

Craft&Quilt_2011Australian Rugmakers Guild will be represented at the Adelaide Quilt & Craft Fair starting Thursday 7th Nov thru Sunday 11th          at the Adelaide Event & Exhibition Centre, Adelaide Showground, Wayville, SA 5034  – for full details about the event click on http://www.craftfair.com.au/wp/Adelaide/faqs/

 Check out the “Make & Take” Workshops. Judith Stephens, President, Australian Rugmakers Guild, will be creating Chiffon Flowers using a rug hooking technique on a square of hessian. The finished flower can be turned into a brooch or pinned to a bag, hatband, a headband or incorporated with traditional hooking into rugs or wall hangings. Kit includes everything needed to complete the project. Book at Guild Stand A.