[Must-see for beginners/Check before purchasing] How to make handmade rugs!? How to get started with "tufting"
(Updated on August 10, 2024)
Hello. We are Tufting studio & shop RUGMATAG, a tufting workshop and equipment/materials specialty store in Osaka . This time, we have put together a guide on how to get started with tufting. We hope this will be helpful for those who want to start tufting but don't know what to do first.
If you are wondering, "What is tufting anyway?", please start by reading this article, " What is tufting ?"
Creating the environment necessary for tufting
① Sound issues
The tufting gun (AK-1) we carry is about 80 decibels (compared to other manufacturers' products, which are about 90-100 decibels). This is similar to the noise of a hair dryer, so if you live in an apartment or near neighbors, you should avoid using it at night. It can be used without any problems during the day.
*When people who come to our store because they are concerned about noise hear the sound of our tufting gun, most of them say, "It's much quieter than I expected." Please be aware that there are other companies' tufting guns that are louder.
2. Securing space
While it depends on the size of the tufting frame you are making, securing a work space is the most important thing. You will also need a place to store your yarn and tools. Also, since yarn scraps will be produced during the process, you should avoid working in a room with pets or small children.
③ Tufting frame installation location
A popular installation method is to secure the frame to a desk. The desk and frame are secured with a vice, but make sure the desk you plan to use is able to secure the frame with a vice. Our shop has developed a method for securing the frame by creating a pillar using 2x4s and tension adjusters, so find the best method for your environment. Tufting requires the gun to be pressed firmly into the fabric, so a regular desk will move. It's best to place the desk against a wall or use weights.
*When using a projector, you will also need to consider where to install it. Please note that the installation location and distance will vary depending on the projector you use.
④Securing a place to dry the rugs you make
Rugs made with woven wool need to have glue applied to the back to prevent the wool from coming loose. This will take 1-2 days to dry in the summer and 2-3 days in the winter, so make sure you have space on a balcony or somewhere similar. Also, some types of glue can have a strong odor, so you need to be careful about the surrounding environment.
Once you have completed steps ①②③④, all that's left is to gather the necessary items.
Gather the equipment, tools, and materials
*We recommend purchasing equipment and materials once the environment is ready.
⑤ Prepare the equipment and tools
Tufting requires several tools. It can be a little difficult to gather them all, but once you have them, apart from the yarn, fabric, and glue, they are all things you can use for a long time.
☆ is on sale at RUGMATAG
・Tufting gun ☆ ( Cut pile or Loop pile or 2-in-one model )
*Tufting guns are subject to breakdown. We recommend purchasing from a tufting specialty store that offers solid after-sales support. Reference article: Types of tufting guns and how to choose one
・Oil for tufting guns
・Tufting frame ☆ Reference article: How to make a tufting frame
・Vise used to install the frame
・Glue gun (for the back edge)
・Draft pen
・Scissors ☆ (for arranging yarn)
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Useful things to have
・Hair clippers (for finishing) ☆
・Hair clipper oil
·projector
We also have a starter set available for sale that will allow you to start tufting the day it arrives!
Start making rugs
⑥ Stretch the tufting cloth onto the tufting frame
When attaching wallpaper to a frame, tension is very important. If the tension is insufficient, the design will become distorted, so make sure to attach it firmly. We recommend attaching it top and bottom, then left and right, for a smoother fit.
7. Create the design of the rug you want to make
There are various methods (freehand, digital), but this time we will explain the method we use, so please refer to it. The design is created using a drawing app on an iPad. The completed design is transferred onto a projector and a rough draft is made. *When transferring the design, be sure to remember to flip it over.
⑧ Rug production begins
Once the draft is complete, all that's left is to tuft the yarn. Once that's done, apply glue to the backside, attach the backing cloth, and let it dry for 2-3 days. (At this point, the fabric is still attached to the tufting frame.)
Once it has dried, remove the fabric from the frame and trim the edges of the finished rug, leaving a few centimetres. The edges are then finished and the back is neatly finished. Finally, the front is neatly finished with clippers and scissors, and the rug is complete.
summary
This time, we introduced how to get started with tufting. It may take a little time to get used to it, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be hooked. Make lots of rugs and create the best rugs possible.
Notification of new information
Thank you for reading to the end. RUGMATAG plans to continue posting various articles about tufting. We plan to regularly announce the latest information on Instagram , Twitter , our official LINE account , and our email newsletter (see below). If you are interested, please follow us on social media, add us as a friend on our official LINE account, and subscribe to our email newsletter.
