The Art of Rug Hooking

Tutor: Graham Hollick
Level: Suitable for all
Date: A two-day course: Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May 2024, 10am-4pm
Price: £250

Course details
In this practical two day workshop you will be introduced to the art of rug hooking. Graham will demonstrate the processes involved in making your own hand-hooked rugs, from stripping up used garments or waste fabrics, to the technique of hooking through a hessian backing. You will be able to make your own piece, which will teach you all the skills necessary to start making your own hooked rugs.

The size will be approximately 40cm x 25cm can be used as a wall hanging or front side of a cushion cover.

On the first day, Graham will give a short talk about his work including showing recent samples. He will go through the necessary steps required to enable you to come up with your own design and how to transpose that onto the hessian backing; how to think about and choose colours; how to cut fabrics with a cutting wheel and how to hook them through the hessian backing, you will then work on your own pieces.

On the second day you will continue working on your own pieces with support from the tutor, on combining and experimenting with different fabrics. Graham will also explain how to finish and back your piece. A hand-out will be provided with helpful tips on the technique and addresses for supplies. The day will end up with an informal discussion on the work produced by the group.

Materials to bring

• An A4 printout of an image to inspire your design; it could be an image from a postcard or a photograph, or a drawing or painting that you have made. Think about something fairly simple that can translate as a rug design.  It can be in colour, or in black and white. If the image is from a postcard or photograph, please bring the original image, as well as your A4 printout, if possible.
• Please also try to bring some preferably woollen fabrics, please ensure they have been freshly washed. Favourite old stretch knit textiles you want to recycle, including tee shirts, fine knit woollies, cottons, jersey, sweatshirts, items that have moth holes work well, as do woollen scarves,
• A basic sewing kit including large-eyed needles, pins, fabric scissors, some embroidery thread. Also a fabric cutting wheel if you have one.
• A ruler (ideally a steel ruler) and black permanent marker.

Materials included
Hessian and a selection of recycled fabrics are supplied by the tutor.

Equipment provided
All necessary equipment, including a hook and frame will be provided for use on the course.

About the tutor
Graham Hollick graduated from Winchester School of Art with a Degree in Textiles and Fashion in 1988, and worked as a creative director working internationally, before around 30 years later he taking up the age-old art of rug hooking which since the first covid lock down this has become his obsession.

Graham’s innovative imagery and inspirations have meant that his rug hooked work has been quickly appreciated. In a relatively short time he has been published in Selvedge magazine , invited to mentor a group of 80 rug hookers in Toronto, chosen to exhibit in a travelling exhibition of works by 30 rug hook artists and has just exhibited his latest work in the flagship store of respected London craft jeans producer Black Horse Lane. All his pieces are created using entirely reused materials from strips of textiles cut from used clothing to the backings made by repurposing coffee sacks.

As a creative director with an extensive international background, Graham Hollick has been recognised as an expert in art direction, creative consultancy, design and trend forecasting. Based in London, he has worked with an impressive list of international clients. His work has ranged from producing catalogues and styling photo shoots to art directing advertising campaigns. Throughout his career he has taught at Art colleges in the UK and Europe, as well as mentoring many students through their work experience placements during his time working in Paris and most recently teaching at the Design Academy Eindhoven. He also founded the ethical home textiles brand Stitch by Stitch, which works with textile artisans in India and Nepal.

General information
Short courses are open to anyone aged 18 and over.
The course fee covers tuition and materials where stated. You will need to bring all other items listed under the ‘Materials to bring’ section.

Refreshments
Coffee and tea are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you to eat in the refreshments room. There are plenty of local venues to purchase food locally, if needed, though we recommend that you bring a packed lunch.

Refunds and cancellations
Cancellations are permitted up to 6 weeks before the start of a course and subject to a £35 cancellation fee. Refunds will not be given for cancellations less than 6 weeks before the start of a course.

Students who do not attend due to illness, personal or professional commitments do not have the right to a refund. For this reason, we recommend that students take out personal insurance against any unforeseeable circumstances before the start of their course. It is not possible to transfer to future courses.

We reserve the right to cancel a class in unusual circumstances. We try to avoid this where possible, but sometimes it is unavoidable. In this situation, a full refund will be given. We’re sorry that we cannot be financially responsible for extreme weather conditions, travel disruption or any other situations that are outside our control.

Access
If you have any specific access needs, we will need to know about your access requirements in advance. Please tell us about your needs in confidence by emailing: bookingsoffice@westdean.ac.uk

This venue has steps to the front reception, with limited access via a side gate to the ground floor. There is a small lift to higher floors or stairs.

Safety
Short course students are required to sign a safety compliance form as part of West Dean Health and Safety regulations.

Disclaimer
The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, West Dean College reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.