Make a Gorgeous Rag Rug Bag

Tutor: Karina Wiles

Lunch: Price includes a hearty lunch.

Level:
All Levels

Typically for a max of 8 people.

Full Day

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Fancy a spot of time traveling? Well this two day course brings the past firmly into the present by helping revive the traditional heritage skills of rag rug making and gives it a new twist. Explore how to upcycle various fabrics to create your own small bag during this fun, colourful and relaxing workshop.

Whether you are new to this craft or in need of brushing up on old skills, this session is open to all and is suitable for beginners or those with some experience.

Day 1: During the morning session you will learn the rag rug techniques of ‘hooky’ and ‘proddy’ using specific tools and learn the best ways of cutting fabric for each method. There will be plenty of time and opportunity to practice throughout the day. In the afternoon you will make a start on transferring your simplified design onto hessian in order to commence making your bag.

Day 2: You will continue to work on hooking or prodding the bag designs on hessian before completing by attaching a back panel, lining and attaching handles. Some simple hand sewing skills are preferable but help is at hand every step of the way regardless of ability.

During the workshop you will learn:

• The history and importance of rag rug making and how it has evolved beyond the recycled clothing for ‘clippy’ mats of yester-year to the colourful expressive forms of today

• The ‘proddy’ and ‘hooky’ techniques, the tools used and the different effects they create

• What types of fabrics, yarns and embellishments that can be used and tips on how best to use them

• Learn how to convert, simplify and transfer a chosen design onto hessian

• Finishing techniques for constructing, handle options and finishing your bag

Be inspired to create larger bags, shopping baskets and more with your new found skills!

Please note there is a materials charge of £15 due on the day that will cover a variety of fabrics, hessian, linings and handle options.

Click below to see what you need to bring.

What to expect

Time at ArtisOn is designed to take you away from it all. We provide the environment, the time and the guidance you need to create. You can expect a warm welcome, skilled and friendly tutors and the chance to meet like-minded people keen to share ideas. You can even leave us to clear up the mess! There will usually be two workshops going on and we encourage everyone to mingle and be nosey about what the other workshop is up to.

We encourage you to arrive at 9.30am. This will allow time to meet other participants over a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits before beginning workshops at 10am. There will be a mid-morning break for refreshments and a chance to talk over progress with others. Lunch is usually around 12:45 for about 45 mins – you can expect a delicious homemade 2 course lunch. There will be a further afternoon break with tea or coffee and cake. All food and refreshments are included in the price of your workshop.

The finish time given is a target. There are occasions when the session may overrun so do let us know if you need to be away promptly.

We aim for your day to be a real treat. You could always learn a new skill in a shed or a draughty village hall with a curly sandwich, but we want you to have more fun than that! So we make sure we provide a day where you will be looked after, with good food, good company and great inspiration!

What you’ll need to bring with you

Participants are most welcome to bring along any fabric, old jumpers, T-shirts etc they wish to upcycle and include in their bag design but there will be a plentiful supply to choose from on the day.

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