I had a great time last week at one of my favorite places, Sauder Village Rug Hooking Camp. My teacher for the week was Jayne Hester. I have taught with Jayne at rug camps before but this was the first time I got to spend all week with her as a student. I can now walk a bit closer to the primitive drab side.
My project was a stool cover for an IKEA stool called Nils. In the store I was able to buy it without a cover and the price was $10 cheaper. Since I was making the cover, I was thrilled that I could get the stool alone.
Developing the rug hooking pattern
I started with this artwork from my grandson. He drew it about 8 years ago when Jackson was a puppy. I thought it would be perfect for the stool especially since I needed an animal pattern for Jayne’s class.
I worked up the footstool pattern (more info on that in a later post), lived with it for a few days, made adjustments and then transferred it to my prefered backing, rug warp using red dot.
Now I just needed a bunch of neutrals. I tucked in a few pieces of color. Luckily, Jayne did not restrict us to just neutrals and the class used a wide spectrum of colors, some quite vibrant.
Rug Hooking Progress
Jayne taught the first day the same way I do. She invited everyone to gather around while she worked through the rugs. I did not get much hooked because I wanted to see and hear what she said about everyone’s rugs.
On Wednesday I had a book signing for my books. I did not spend much time in class so here is the progress from Day 3. I tried a geometric pattern (see the final image) and flowers and chose the flowers. I winged it and sketched them lightly as I worked my way across the edge.
I finally know where the rug is going. I usually need about 25% of the rug hooked until I find my stride. Jayne suggested the lines in the background. After I had a piece of the border hooked, I was brain storming on how to meld the straight lines into the border. Jayne suggested a ray. I drew it on the pattern and it worked. Jack looks like Super Dog.I’m skimming over the footstool pattern development for now. I’ll write more detail later. I want to be sure everything works before I describe what I did.
Hi from one of the two Canadians who enjoyed rug camp this year. I was really happy to finally meet you at rug camp this year as I have followed your blog for several years now. I love how your Jack footstool is coming along. Someday I will try a footstool hooking as well. I took Evelyn’s class this year and really enjoyed it. Hopefully I will have the opportunity to take a class from either you or Jayne another year.
It was a great camp. The rug show and vendors were fabulous but getting to meet the readers of my blog was the best. Thanks for being a visitor.
Cindi, I recognized your approach to hooking pine trees in a Judy Carter rug displayed at Sauder :)
Judy was a student in my class at Laurel Mountain. It was the second workshop I ever taught. It has been amazing to watch her progress and to have a small influence on her rugs.
Cindi, wonderful to see you again. Thanks for the “noodle holders”, come in really handy. Getting to go to Sauder is such a treat, classes, friends, food, ice cream….yum.
Hi Cindi, love your foot stool pattern, I need to get my granddaughters to draw me patterns to hook it would make it so much fun to hook. Glad we got to talk for a minute. I and my friends were only there for the day on Wed but we all enjoyed the rug show and my friend Kate was glad you liked her hooking blocks on the weave ett frames she has done. Someday I hope to take a class at Sauder but for now it will be in Manistee, hope to see you in Feb at the hook in.
You are quite the trickster! Glad to have spent just a little time with you! I, too, love working with children’s art. Picasso was right!
Was so excited to win you as my door prize at Sauder! Let me know when you have a workshop scheduled and/or if not, I’ll schedule a day with you. I may have some rugs in progress to work on! Loved my week at Sauder. Had 4 completely different classes, and loved each one of them.
am eagerly awaiting how to attach to the footstool. I’m doing one at Rugs by the Sea – Cape may in September, but am worried about the border and attachment to stool.
Thanks
Diane,
I sent you an email for more information. The construction of your footstool is key to how you finish it.
Rug Hooking Week at Sauder Village includes. Check-in on Monday afternoon, enjoy a meal with other students and instructors Monday evening, and prepare to spend multiple days of concentrated rug hooking study with a select teacher in a beautiful venue.