Editors note: Judith originally a New Zealander, lives in QLD, Australia, and recently exhibited a hooked rug creation in an exhibition in Kingaroy, QLD, commemorating
100 Years of ANZACs
The following photographs, with Judith’s comments, show the progress of her hooked creation.
Judith says: I used a rag mat (recycled fabric) as the medium because it was a common thing at the time and I left it “imperfect” because nothing about war is perfect.
Here the wording is almost finished. The stars represent the Australian Flag and the actual rug measures 58 x 85.5 cm.
This photo is to show you don’t need expensive equipment to make rugs
I found this British flag in the Op Shop and thought it a fitting backdrop as the young men shed their blood fighting for the British.
To make it more meaningful to the local residents, I copied the 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 and then wrote their names on the flag.
this portrait was hooked by Chris Noorbergen of the Yarra Valley Rugmakers, from a photograph of her grandson.
Chris has hooked portraits of several members of her family, and has the ability to capture their personality in the hooked loops. Chris will be teaching classes in this style of rug hooking (How to hook an A3 sized facial portrait from a photo) at the Strathalbyn Rughooking Expo on 11th & 12th October 2014. For more details on the Strathalbyn Expo click on the Calendar of Events.
Below Chris shares news and images of the Groups April meeting.
Our Yarra Valley rug makers group was small, as we met in one of our members homes in Warrandyte, Vic in April, but the atmosphere was definitely warm. What a wonderful time we had. As usual Anne greeted everyone with a smile and a cup of coffee.
As we don’t see each other from month to month, there was a lot of catching up to do. Leanne knitted, Joy hooked, (on her houses rug) Robyne chatted; and Anne and Chris chatted, tried out various punch needles and hooked all at the same time. Chris had a lesson in punch needle hooking from Jacqui while she was in Milton and she was keen to show off her newly purchase punch needle. Anne then brought out her stash of punch needles and we talked about the pros and cons of each model.
Anne (left) had needles for both embroidery and rug making. What a handy little tool that can be, used in such a variety of ways adding a different dimension to our hooked rugs.
We then had the fun job of dividing up our beautiful, made in the US [that’s what it said on the invoice], wool fabric which had arrived at Anne’s while she was away enjoying the retreat with the Narrawilly Proggers in Milton, NSW. Yards and yards of soft, beautiful wool dyeing to be changed into beautiful works of art.
The day went much too quickly, and after a lovely lunch we packed up our tools and left for home.
Cheers from the Yarra Valley Rug Makers, until next month, Saturday 17th May in Lilydale,
The following report and images were submitted by Jacqueline Thomson a member of the Narrawilly Proggers
Narrawilly Rugmakers Retreat; 28-31 March, 2014
Forty participants were present at this, our second Rug Retreat held at Narrawilly Farm, Milton, New South Wales
On Friday night 28th March, friends from near and far gathered in Miriam’s Rug Room where we held our “Welcome Dinner” and although it was a very wet evening, it did nothing to dampen the spirit of conviviality as we greeted one another.
All had dressed for the occasion and there was much anticipation in the air which soon filled with stimulating conversation, lots of laughter, as we gathered to enjoy good wine and food by candlelight.
Miriam Miller welcomed those present and outlined the format for the next two and a half days.
On Saturday morning the rain lifted and by 11am the sun had completely taken control of the situation. Rugmakers from South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland were represented and four rugmakers traveled from Japan: Fumiyo Hachisuka, Yuko Iwabe, Michiko Aoki and Eriko Hashimoto. It was a full day of activity as we worked on our rugs and those who desired had the opportunity to attend two mini workshops. One, “fun with fabric” with Judy Stephens was very popular
as was the mini workshop tutored by Maggie Whyte teaching how to make Flanders Poppies. The red and black felt looked particularly striking.
Making felted poppies
Jacqui Thomson demonstrated punch needle work as taught to her by Sybil Mercer. Miriam made her now famous cheese scones for morning tea and these were eaten under the autumn coloured grape vine or on the front verandah, while soaking up the view of the rolling hills and farm lands to the north.
Morning tea at Narrawilly Farm
At 5pm everyone drove to Narrawallee so that those who wished could walk along the beach, look for shells or just paddle in the surf, and I believe one brave soul actually had a swim.
Rughookers at Narrawallee Beach
We sat on a grassy bank facing the ocean and here we ate fish and chips specially provided in individual boxes by our local fish shop; drinks were available too as we sat relaxing, talking and enjoying our crumbed fish, followed with slice, chocolate brownies and juicy grapes. It was just on dark as we left to drive home to rest before starting another day. The ambiance of sitting by the beach was appreciated by all and a little of our district was seen on our drive to this destination.
Sunday was a repeat of Saturday with lots of rug work being achieved.
Three Wise Men by Annette White
Hooked Wall Hanging and Vest by Carol Treloar
There were again mini workshops as per the day before. The highlight of this day was undoubtedly the Fashion Parade organised by Pat LaRance and Miriam. Our much sort after models were Elke Smith-Hill, Anne Schafer, Christine Pearce, Jenny Harber and Carol Treloar. They really entered into the spirit as they modeled the trendy outfits. All clothes were for sale at the end of the parade for 50 cents per item. Funds raised will be donated to aid Heather Ritchie’s Gambia Project. This was established by Heather some years ago now and assists the blind and partially blind to make rugs which Heather takes back to the UK where they are sold and the money returned to the Project. No begging is allowed in The Gambia and work is hard to find as you can imagine.
Models Christine Pearce, Anne Schafer, Elke Smith-Hill, Jenny Harber, Carol Treloar
Our Japanese friends learnt to spin and knit, and to our delight ate scones, jam and cream with chopsticks. Although their command of the English language was limited, no one had trouble communicating with them and many new friendships were formed. They joined in all activities and demonstrations.
Fumiyo – scones with chopsticks
Fumiyo teaching Janet how to use chopsticks
In the evening we had a barbeque superbly cook by Robert Miller. A little light rain made its appearance, but did nothing to worry us as there was plenty of room in the house.
The following morning we had a brunch on the front verandah where we had freshly squeezed orange juice, muesli, yogurt, tea, coffee and for those who wished, individually cooked scrambled eggs. Farewells were said with a degree of sadness and we all felt stronger bonds for having spent this special time together.
Work in progress by June WeatherstoneJacqui Thomson
Editors Note:
If you missed the Narrawilly Rughooking Retreat and the workshops given by Judith Stephens (SA) and Maggie Whyte (ACT), think about traveling to Strathalbyn, South Australia this October where they will both be giving classes. Judith will show how to make fabric baskets using the “toothbrush hooking or naalbinding technique and Maggie will be creating wonderful fibre sculptures with a “chunky rugmaker”.
Miriam will join them at the Rughooking Expo giving classes in the proggy rugmaking technique, and the very creative Judi Tompkins from QLD will be at the Expo passing on her knowledge and experience of 3D hooking.
Chris Noorbergen from VIC will give classes on how to hook a portrait from a photograph and from Western Australia, Kath Smith & Barbara Phillips will pass on knowledge gained from Kris McDermet’s class in 2012 – how to add a braided finish to a hooked creation, while Jo Franco will teach beginners how to pull loops in a traditional rughooking class.
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
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 planing dress pieces to be hooked
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
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.
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
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.
On the evening of February 25th 2014, after having just arrived in Perth and coming straight from the airport, Brandon Mably 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
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
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.
Jacqui 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 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.
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.
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 Paulette 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)
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.
This 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.”
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
NEW SOUTH WALES: 28th – 31st March, the Narrawilly Proggy Ruggers invite you to join them in Milton for a long weekend of rugging and sharing.
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.
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.
Renate 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.
Upon 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.
After 20+ years the rugs are extremely stiff and brittle and would need to be carefully handled.
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.
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by Judith Brook of Australia & New Zealand
ar is perfect.
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