[Must-See for Beginners] What is Tufting? Explaining the Trending New Craft (2025 Edition)

Last updated: November 24, 2025

Hello. We are Tufting studio & shop RUGMATAG, a tufting workshop and equipment/materials specialty store in Kitahorie, Osaka.

In recent years, tufting has spread rapidly thanks to social media, and is beginning to take root as a new crafting culture where people "make their own rugs and interior decor." Videos of the process have been shared on TikTok and Instagram, serving as an introduction for people to the craft for the first time.

Furthermore, in 2025, the uses of rugs in daily life have expanded greatly, from just floor rugs to chair rugs, wall art, mirrors, cushions, and trays for small items .

"I've been hearing a lot about tufting lately, but what exactly does it mean?"

This article will clarify these questions for you.

Where did the tufting boom start?

In the late 2010s, American tufting studio Tuft the World Tuft the World , a group of artists who created works with tufting guns, spread the word on social media, and tufting spread all over the world. Tuft the World is one of the organizations that has led the current tufting boom by spreading the guns and teaching materials and building a community.

*It began to spread in Japan around 2021.

Even in RUGMATAG We handle "TUFT THE WORLD," written by Tiernan Alexander and Tim Eads, co-founders and co-owners of Tuft the World, and it's a studio we have a lot of respect for as we continue to work with them.

At RUGMATAG, we believe that tufting could be one of the opportunities to rediscover the appeal of craftsmanship in Japan, where the joy of making things and the time to use your hands are declining.

What is tufting?

Tufting is a manufacturing technique in which yarn is woven into fabric to create pile, allowing pictures and patterns to be drawn on it .

It was originally used for a long time as a factory technique for making rugs and carpets.

Recently, this technique has become possible to enjoy using a household-sized tufting gun, and it has rapidly become popular as a hobby, form of expression, and interior design tool.

How to make tufting?

The rough flow is as follows.

• Stretching the tufting cloth (base fabric) onto the frame
• Copying a design (projection/tracing/hand drawing)
  
• Punching the yarn with a tufting gun
  
• Apply adhesive to the back of the lining and let it dry
  
• Finish by trimming the surface with a trimmer etc.
  

The process is simple, but the interesting thing is that the finished product can change dramatically depending on the yarn you choose and how you handle the tools .

From factory techniques to home hobbies

The tufting technique has long been used in Japanese rug factories.

However, the guns used in factories are industrial, heavy, and require specialized handling.

Then, the arrival of lightweight tufting guns (approximately 1.4 kg) optimized for home use made them a practical means for individuals to safely make tufts, which was a major factor in the current boom.

The appeal of tufting

The reasons why tufting appeals to so many people are pretty clear.

1. High degree of design freedom

The appeal is that you can create the rug you want , using your favorite pictures, letters, and patterns.

There is also a way to project it using a projector, so it's okay even if you're not good at drawing.

Some people draw freehand and make rough drawings, and everyone has their own style.

*When dealing with copyrighted material, please enjoy it for personal use and at your own risk.

2. You can immerse yourself in your work

A design is drawn on the fabric and then yarn is threaded along the design.

This repetition helps you concentrate very well, and it is said to be a good hobby for digital detox .

3. Great sense of accomplishment

This requires a moderate amount of physical strength as you work by pressing the tufting gun into the fabric.

It may take some sweating, but the sense of accomplishment when you finish is immense .

It's also a happy moment when people are surprised and ask, "Did you make this yourself?"

4. The works can be used in a wide range of ways

There are many ways to enjoy your creations after you've made them, such as rugs to lay on the floor, art to hang on the wall, cushions and interior accessories, gifts, accessories, and items to sell .

In recent years, interior design trends have focused on rugs with a tactile feel and three-dimensional texture, which goes well with tufting pieces.

What can be made with tufting (expansion in 2025)

In the past, rugs were mainly used as floor rugs, but recently their uses have expanded considerably.

• Chair rug/chair seat rug
• Wall Art
• Tufting Mirror
• Cushions/accessory mats/trays
• Fixtures and decorations for stores and brands

It has gone beyond rug making and has come closer to the feeling of "making your own parts for your life."

This flexibility makes it easier to decide on a design, even if it's your first piece, by thinking about what purpose you will be using it for.

In RUGMATAG "Tufting isn't just for rugs." We are also currently publishing content called "Let's Make Something with Tufting!" which introduces tufting ideas that have grown from these discoveries.

For those who want to start first

For those who read this article and think, "I want to try it!"

If you want to get started with tufting as quickly as possible and without any confusion, we recommend the RUGMATAG Tufting Starter Set . This set includes all the tools and materials you need to make your first piece, including a tufting gun, frame, base fabric, adhesive, and trimmer guide , so you can start making from the day it arrives.

If you're not sure what to choose or worried about buying the wrong thing, the easiest thing to do is to start with this set.

RUGMATAG also has a physical store in Kitahorie, Osaka, where you can also ask about tools in-store.
For those who would like to try out tufting for the first time, we have four tufting workshops available.

If you live far away or can't visit the store, please feel free to contact us via DM on our official LINE account or Instagram if you have any questions about how to proceed with your project or which tools to choose.

summary

Tufting is a technique and craft that allows you to create your own rugs and interior pieces by weaving yarn into the fabric with a special gun .

With factory techniques now available in the home, it has become a hobby that anyone can try.

• Can be made with free design
• It's immersive and helps relieve stress
• Great sense of accomplishment upon completion
• Usage is expanding in everyday life

If you're thinking, "I want to try it, but I'm a bit worried," or "I don't know what I need to get," please feel free to contact RUGMATAG at any time.

Let's take the first step together.