I’ve been considering a lot of options for my website. The ones that will work are the ones YOU are interested in. Here’s your chance. Leave a comment below telling me what you are looking for on the internet when it comes to rug hooking. If you’d rather keep the comment between just me and you, use the Contact Me page. Get creative, even if you think it is impossible. The sky is the limit.
I am currently working on being sure all the photos show up where they should and adding tags (think book index) to make the posts easier to see.
Here are some things I’m considering:
- How to get your rug color planned by me
- Bundles of wool that are coordinated to work together
- Wool quantities needed for all my patterns
- Photo and post the rest of my wool inventory
- Detailed instructions for the major motifs in my patterns – The Queen Ann lace instructions are already written.
- Instructional videos
- Conference video where you can ask questions and I can see you and you can see everyone else involved.
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About Cindi Gay
I live in an area where there is a limited about of interest in rug hooking ; therefore no shops, no patterns, etc. I crave resources for primitive rug hooking, I don’t really care for cutesy. So I have to go through dozens and dozens of sites before I can find a GOOD primitive rug hooking pattern that has not been out for 20 years. So resources, ideas on primitive style and patterns would peek my interests. I understand not everyone likes primitives but every once in awhile sure would be nice. Thank you for this opportunity to let me express my wishes.
Thank you…….Carol
I’m always looking for ideas for patterns. If you know what subject matter you are looking for, run it past me. I may have something that stalled but is in the works or it could inspire me to work something up. This is impossible to do on a deadline, however, so you’d have to be patient.
Most rug hookers rely on yearly rug camps or teachers to get supplied. Your situation is not uncommon at all. The markup on rug hooking supplies is not enough to keep shops going. Many only last a few years.
All of the above ideas are great…also, I love seeing finished rugs in all styles…I’m a #6, sometimes #8 cut hooker, and I do simple patterns…having said that, I’d love to do a rug depicting our log home in the mountains…complete with trees and rocks…don’t know if I can handle much detail, so how would I design that type of thing?
I forgot all about a pattern that I custom designed for a student. It may be something you would like or could easily customize.
I’ll fast track it to get it offered as a pattern.
Patterns! Lots of patterns! And pictures of finished rugs. It is easier to visualize your own rugs after you see examples of others. And I love your ideas stated above. What fun it would be to color plan with you. Also, pictures of wool for sale, especially textures! Thanks for caring!
There is some wool for sale, but I have sooo much more in the studio. It is on my list of things to improve.
Just a reminder, I do offer color planning through the mail. It is what I would prepare for you if you took one of my workshops. Your pattern choice, your colors with detailed instructions. With digital cameras today and even Facetime it is possible to do remotely almost everything I do in person. Save you the cost of the trip. It is a perfect solution for those of you who work full time. These extra projects are at the mercy of my time. I devote my time to workshops first.
Love the ideas you have so far. I am a beginer so I am looking for detailed instructions and help with amounts needed for patterns…also on dyeing wool. I would love to try but I am lost!! Thanks for asking!!
I would like to see some smaller beginner kits available with wool – a one stop shop to get my feet wet.
Patterns I prefer are floral, nature, water, sky, animals. Don’t care for dark, primitive styles.
Love to see pictures of finished patterns to get ideas.
Some feedback on good books, DVD’s, other sites, etc, would be nice too.
Video tutorials with new techniques as well.
Thanks, Olivia! That will keep me busy.
The beginner kit is a great idea, especially after seeing how fast the four left over ATHA kits went. I worked up several beginner patterns over a decade ago that are about a foot square.
I have several dyeing posts that are on the website, but may be hard to find. I’m working on re-organizing them. Just watch the sidebar for topics.
Supplies that are reasonable would be something to add to the others list. Not all of us can afford some of the expensive items needed to do a rug.’
Thanks,
Cheryl has given me some ideas for a future post: Less expensive rug hooking equipment alternatives. I’ve got solutions for hooks, frames and cutters. What else?
I love following your progress on your projects, for example your very large rug that you have been working on for years. I like to read why you make the color and design choices and changes as you progress.
Deb, Thanks for following the blog. Sometimes I wonder if anyone is listening. It often helps me to figure out the decisions if I write about them. Funny thing, in school my least favorite thing to do was to write anything. Go figure.
Okay~ Cindi, firsty, I LOVE your website/blog. I just discovered it last night… I lark on tons of websites, your is one of the better ones. One of the things I’m looking for is an online course, small ones, for maybe, faces, sky, or eyes, to focus on one area. Being deaf, I need vidoes with subtitles, or Captions… I can go on and on, but you are busy enough. Those too will do for now. Girl, the area rug of yours is awesome… Is it done yet?? ~Anita
The room-sized rug is no where near complete, but I am getting caught up on other stuff. My life has been quite unusual the last several years and everything got out of hand. I’m slowly reorganizing.
I find it difficult to be creative in chaos. Chaos in the studio is OK but when other areas of my life are in turmoil, I can’t sit still. Doesn’t mean I get a lot done – usually the reverse. The best blessing is a boring life.
I am very new to rug hooking. I recently purchased some backing material, how do I cut it for projects? Is it just like cutting any fabric, does it have to be on the straight of grain, and how do I detrmine that? I would like to draw my own pattern.
Thankyou,
Leah
Always cut and draw your pattern on the straight of grain. See my post on drawing straight lines.
Do I have to tear the backing fabric or can I just cut it? The backing fabric still has the selvages on it, so when I draw my pattern can I use the selvages as a reference point and place my pattern parallel with it? Should the selvages be at the top or on the side or does that even matter? I can’t find this in any book and I have purchased several. Thanks so much.
Leah
If you can rip the backing, you have the wrong material. Be sure to buy backing specifically for rug hooking. The wool and time you will spend is much more than what you will spend on the backing. The rug is only as good as the backing. My favorite? rug warp.
Thankyou, I did purchase very good backing from the Door mill Store. It is the monks cloth with the lines in it. It’s just that I had some scottish burlap with the selvages still on it and I did not know how to lay out and then draw it onto the backing. I am not which way to lay the pattern on the backing in relation to the selvages. Should the sides of the pattern be parallel (or the top of the pattern ) with the selvage? Or does it matter as long as I draw and stay in the ditch?
It does not matter which way you lay it out as long as it is on the straight of grain. Burlap, even Scottish burlap can wear out in as little as 15 years. You might consider using a cotton or linen backing especially after you consider the cost of the wool you will be hooking into it.