JULY
TIP OF THE MONTH
Deb Tomsheck was our tip of the month presenter and she expressed there is so much value in watching how experienced teachers handle their tools, manage their wool, and execute their rug hooking techniques...often it's those subtle, unwritten habits that make the biggest difference in perfecting your own work.
She also mentioned that our rug hooking guild is just amazing in how we come together and work hard to make our annual Hook-In a wonderful experience for all who attend and raising the funds necessary to hire rug hooking teachers from all over. To have the convenience of hosting renowned teachers in our own backyard is such a treasure!
We welcomed Anita White as our guest rug hooking teacher July 8-10th. She is known for utilizing paisley fabrics within her work. Anita gifted attendees a loop lifter to elevate the the texture and visual interest of paisley prints, plaid prints, as well as, solid colors to maximize their impact within each rug design.
Deb asked ladies who attended Anita's workshop to bring their rugs to share with the guild along with a tip they had learned from the class. You can check out those rugs and comments on the EVENTS & CLASSES tab.
Using the Loop Lifter Tool
Often adapted from antique silverware like pickle forks or specific stiletto tools, a loop lifter is a game-changer for adjusting the height and neatness of your work. Try holding your hook in your dominant hand and your loop lifter loosely in your other hand below or just beside the frame. Whenever a loop looks uneven, you can instantly adjust it without breaking your rhythm to drop your hook.
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The "Squish" Fix: When you hook quickly, it's easy to accidentally bury a loop or pull one too tight. Keep the loop lifter in your non-dominant hand or nearby. Slip the pointed tip right under the low loop and pull up gently to match the surrounding height.
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Creating "Sculpted" Texture: You can intentionally use the loop lifter to pull certain loops slightly higher than others. This is an incredible technique when paired with paisley fabric, as you can elevate the brightest colors to physically stand out from the background.
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Fixing Twist: If a fabric strip twists on the top of your canvas, slide the flat edge of the lifter under the loop and give it a slight turn to straighten out the wool so the pattern faces up perfectly.
Mastering Paisley Fabric
Paisley prints are prized in rug hooking because the complex, teardrop-shaped patterns introduce beautiful, unexpected color shifts when cut into strips. However, they can behave differently than standard textures or solids.
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Mind Your Cut Size: If your paisley wool is cut too narrow (e.g., under a #4 cut), the beautiful pattern will disappear completely into tiny speckles. To let the colors and shapes shine, try using a #6 cut or wider.
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Directional Hooking: When working a paisley strip, notice how the colors change along the strip. You can hook in straight lines to create an ombre or striped look, or swirl your lines to mimic the flow of the original design.
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Isolation Strategy: If you have a specific pop of color in the paisley that you want to highlight (like a bright teal center in a teardrop), cut that section out specifically to use as an accent loop in a flower center or eye-catching border.
DON'T FORGET...
to check out pictures from Anita White's class under the Events & Classes tab.