Booked your first rug tufting session and not sure what you’ve signed up for? Good, that’s exactly the right place to start. Here’s everything a first-timer needs to know before they walk through the door at Artis House.
Key takeaways
- No experience needed, every session is built for absolute beginners.
- Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes; aprons are provided.
- Plan for about three hours from arrival to walking out with a finished rug.
- You’ll design, thread, tuft, and finish, your artisan guides every step.
- Bring a reference image if you have a design in mind; we’ll help simplify it.
What tufting actually is
Tufting is the craft of punching loops of yarn through a stretched cloth to build a soft, dense pile, the same technique behind the rugs on gallery walls and living-room floors. A handheld tufting gun does the punching; your hands do the drawing. It’s part painting, part sculpture, and completely absorbing once you find your rhythm.
At Artis House you’ll work on a pre-stretched frame with a tufting gun that’s already calibrated, so there’s no fiddly setup, just you, the yarn, and your design.
What to wear and bring
Comfort first. You’ll be standing at a frame for a good part of the session, so dress for movement.
- Comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting a little yarn fluff on.
- Closed-toe shoes, required for safety in the studio.
- A hair tie if you have long hair (we keep spares on hand).
- A reference image, if you already have a design in mind.
The session, step by step
Every session follows the same gentle arc, and your artisan stays with you the whole way through.
Arrive & design
Settle in with a warm drink, then sketch your design or pick one from our pattern book. We trace it onto the cloth together.
Thread & tuft
Choose your colours, load the gun, and find your rhythm on a small practice patch before you start the real thing.
Finish & take home
We trim, back, steam, and bind your rug so you walk out the same day with a finished piece, still warm from the steam.
Session at a glance
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Duration | About 3 hours |
| Group size | 2–6 guests per open session |
| Frame sizes | Small (50 × 50 cm) or Medium (70 × 70 cm) |
| Experience needed | None, beginners welcome |
After your session
Your rug is fully finished and ready to use, hang it, frame it, or lay it down as a small accent. Vacuum gently and spot-clean as needed, and the pile will settle beautifully over the first few weeks.
Most first-timers tell us the same thing on the way out: they came for a rug, and left with three quiet hours they didn’t know they needed.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need zero experience?
Yes, most guests have never tufted before. The session is designed for first-timers and your artisan paces right alongside you.
How big is the rug I’ll make?
You choose your frame when you book: Small is a 50 × 50 cm finished piece, Medium is 70 × 70 cm.
Can I bring my own design?
Absolutely. Bring it on your phone or in print and we’ll help simplify it into a tuftable template before you start.