Some Thoughts On Proddy Rugs

Within the group, we have made a few Proddy or Proggy or Clippy or Peggy rugs. I’ve made two myself, with another on the frame. 

Whilst you can’t get the finesse or detail of hooked rugs, the ‘impressionist’ look you will achieve is lovely, let alone the beautiful softness. But I have some opinions on the matter, and for my own future reference and to share I'll stick them together and have a blether (something for the new Facebook page). 

Back

Anne Shafer's Liquorice Allsorts proddy rug. The colurs are well defined against each other. Each line is at least three rows of prods. Anne mostly used blankets and polo fleece.

Next is Anne's Poppy rug. Again, even with the mottled background, the poppies pop. 

Inspired to try my hand and use up a substantial amount of stash, I worked out a design and began my own. The silky nature of the fabric gives it a lovely sheen. Used are old shantung curtains, cottons, silks... mostly dress fabrics.
I cut the strips slightly off grain, not a full bias. This means the ends don’t fray. Something I ignored on the next yellow and pink version and it sheds bits all over the place. Which doesn’t bother me really. Not as much as it should.

I followed Anne's advice, making my sections each a good contrast and the lines three rows thick. The green lines separating the sectons and a dark brown behind it works quite well. I'm really happy with this one! So...

I started another... It looks brighter here I have to say. I’ll often start with a couple of fabrics (from my stash) that I want to design around. In this case it was the yellow and some pinks and lilacs (as per the centre of the first). I thought I’d cut my bits longer than the last but this was a mistake, I feel. It’s too shaggy! Mind you it feels lovely underfoot... Plus, the value or shade of the lilac is too similar to the yellow, so it’s not well defined. One of the pinks is a muted dusty colour (pretty in itself), but it looks a little muddy. While the back shows reasonable definition, the front doesn't. Still... it'll do...

To be honest, I started this one (below) second, but it's been rolled up for Quite Some Time. I do love using silks and exotic fabrics, old clothes etc., so get sidetracked, and whilst I like the colours, they're not really going to suit the house. I do that all of the time though, so what's new? It's all blanketing.

I thought that would make it tough and hard to step on, but it isn't. It's cosy.

  

OK so just get on and finish it! But, my point is (in writing this) the colour definition is nice. Note to self, take your own advice!
Chris Noorbergen is making this gorgeous tropical leafy rug. 'll get a better picture. Chris lives at lovely Loch, in West Gippsland (I'd say it's Gippy). Her strength of colour is beautiful and the dyed blackish background makes the design very strong.

Obviously there is a lot to be said for any type of design and we only have to follow our own taste. My hubby is always telling me to do a scketch first but the only one I have done is for the only one I'm not in love with. It's hard to know what fabric I'll find. If you are dyeing your cloth, then  you can colour in your drawing. But when it's all scraps and stash it's a bit more difficult.
I want to start another proggy now though. Now I know what I need to think of. Maybe I'll think through Where I want it, What is needs to go with and begin from there.
Or maybe I won't.

Melbourne Show 2019w

We did it. The Melbourne Show for one day. It sounds simple, pack a case, go to show, demonstrate rug making...
There is always a lot of interest in rug making. We didn’t have our big proddy frames and it’s these proggy/clippy/peggy/proddy rugs that the children like to try. However Anne had a standing hoop frame for quilting so managed to let folk have a bit of a go... and lots of people watched or tried hooking too. Plus I got along with my Uzbekistan style rug #2.

It still surprises me that Rug Hooking is so little known in Australia, considering how it parallels quilting in the USA and always has.
But, we did meet Lee, who plans to come on Sunday, so slowly the group is expanding! And we have Veronica as well so that’s two more.

On the way in I bought a coffee at Belgrave’s Blacksmith Cafe and the lovely Alex was wearing this amazing cowl. Her grandfather had spun the wool and she had crocheted it herself. It is done in Crocodile stitch. It was so gorgeous and unusual I asked if I could photograph and post it. Thanks Alex.

I keep meaning to say that another old friend Jennifer Walton, who lives in Far North Queensland, is now a long distance member of our group. Jennie went crazy on tugging after a visit down to mine a little while back. I gave her Miriam’s excellent book and that’s the end of her!

Jen is onto her second rug, this time a hooked rug. She has a good eye as you will see. Pics to follow.

(Too lazy to come and bring a plate, obviously).

Gembrook Quilt Fair & Rug Hooking Demonstration Extroirdinaire

Anne and I (Robyne) braved the hail, wind, rain and freezing cold to get up to beautiful Gembrook for the CFA Quilt Fair. A mini stitches and craft type (indoor and cosy) event with loads of stalls and a raffle, in which Anne took 4th prize. She won a gift voucher with enough in it to purchase batting for a new quilt. We also were visited by old and very dear friends, whom we hope to snaffle for rug days and more chitter chatter.
Quite a few ladies were keen to begin rugging. It seems that people have had it earmarked for the future (which encroaching age makes you realise is now). This also was my story when I first met the gals.

The hall had three large canvas works with local themes. Also were what appeared to be children’s needleworks. Love the skate ramp seen in one of them!

A happy mess of fluff.

Go Anne!!
Our next get together is at Anne's on Sunday September 29th. The day after the grand final. Let us know if you want to come on 0410876096. Leave a message if I don't pick up!

Quite a few people picked up a copy of Miriam's brilliant book!

Katherine's and my magpies.

No Name Proddy Rug

Made using TONS of fabrics I've had for years and years and years (plus a little new). My stash is noticeably depleted, in a good way.  

It took almost exactly one month to make. Not a bad effort I do say so mesself.

The back's always more cleanly defined. Plus, the photo's are more distinct than reality. It's just a big fluffy pile of colour, but it feels amazing! So thick! 

Relates to previous post.

New Proggy Rug, Begun 24th September 2018

I started a new Proddy/Proggy rug at the Melbourne Show, got home and pulled it all out then started again with a completely new plan. The first one looked fine on paper, but seemed too abstract for my taste. Mud!

So here is the progress report...

Just so you can see the state of things around here. I keep putting it on the verandah (because of the mess) but in the end, I'm too keen to dilly-dally. So we're knee deep in thread and fluff and crazy. The One True doesn't mind at all.
The trolley was in use at my Granny & Gramps's pub (The Star Hotel at Yackandanhad). I used to roll it out with the bread and butter dishes to set the tables.
Some of the fabrics I have had since I was a teenager, or remember my Grandma having in her cupboard. I can point to the origin of most of it and so my memories are well and truly in there. I might be the only one who will ever know, but the family will have other associations in time to come, I guess.

It's around 80 x 150 cm.

The starting points, above and below.

Sunday at Buda in Castlemaine

Anne and I spent a warm day at Buda yesterday, talking to people and demonstrating our rug making.
I managed to get some bad photo's of the rugs inside the old homestead. The tour of the house was taken by an Enthusiast of the history and she described a family of largely unmarried girls who were encouraged and educated in anything they fancied and led a very adventurous life. It's worth a read here, and definitely worth the tour, although I'd like to go back and look at my leisure (knowing the story). The whole place, inside and out, has been donated to the Castlemaine Art Gallery, which also hold a fabulous collection and is worth a visit.

These Hooked Rugs are made on the old latch-hook canvas (which is so much harder to use than hessian or linen). A lady did a demonstration in the garden but we had to admit it was hard not to butt in! It was suggested you Must Put Latex or Thinned Glue on the Back to keep it together! Exclamation Mark! We politely didn't say anything and at least there was a bit of interest.
She did use a latch-hook with the latch sticky-taped shut, which isn't a bad idea and they are easily found in op shops. 
But I wanted to say how much Cheaper and Easier it is to work on hessian. And they don't fall apart. And come inside and look at ours!

Here I am working on the footy rug.

Anne with her newest proddy, started for the show (I think).

This one was behind a cabinet and in shadow. I really like it!