In this hands-on instructional class, participants will learn to use power tufting machines to create a rug or wall hanging. The 4-hour class will cover the basics of setting up a tufting frame and backing cloth, threading and operating tufting machines, and a verbal walk through on how to cut, glue, and finish a tufted piece. Participants will work on projects of their own design on a frame that can accommodate pieces 22 x 22 inches. 

Frame, cloth, and yarn are included (participants will take their work home following the class). Tuft the World will provide tufting machines for use during the workshop, or participants may bring their own.

You’ve been asking, and we’ve been listening–the highly anticipated advanced class will be offered at TuftCon ‘23!  This class is for those who have significant comfort using their tufting machine and are ready to venture beyond the basics.  Participants will be introduced to machine adjustments such as adjusting the pile height on your tufting machine and changing your machine from cut to loop.  We’ll also provide instruction in using finishing tools, such as the carving clippers and electric carving scissors, to add dimension to your finished rug.

Frame, cloth, and yarn are included (participants will take their work home following the class). Tuft the World will provide tufting machines for use during the workshop, or participants may bring their own. 

In this demo, AJ will share the tips and tricks behind creating rugs with clean lines and sculpted shapes using carving clippers and other tools. These techniques can be especially useful when applied to designs that have typography or detailed designs, but can be applied to any rug design.

Join fiber artist Trish Andersen for a presentation on the seemingly endless possibilities for displaying your tufted works!  From organically-shaped wall hangings to stair runners and from doll-shaped sculptures to t-shirts, learn about Trish’s inspirational applications of rug tufting, which expand far beyond the rectangular floor bound rug. 

Calling all intermediate and advanced tufters!  Feast your eyes on the capabilities of our AK-III machine during this demo by Tuft the World co-founder and master tufter, Tim Eads.  The AK-III is a high-pile electric and pneumatic tufting machine that creates both cut and loop shags in a vast range of nine lengths ranging from 20mm to 60mm (.78”-2.36”).  This machine requires an air compressor and weighs in a bit heavier than our beginner machines; while you may still be working your way up to using an AK-III, all are welcome to see this unique tufting machine in action.

Your Tuft the World instant tufting frame has served you well, but you’ve outgrown the 30”x30” size and are ready to move on to bigger and better frames!  Follow frame making expert Matthew Stiles along for a demonstration on how to build a 66” x 44” frame.  With this larger cloth canvas, you’ll have room to create larger projects or work simultaneously on smaller tufted treasures!

Our Ecru wool yarn is ready to absorb the colors of the rainbow! Join Joy for a presentation on how to dye our Reflect wool yarn at home, including a basic overview of natural dye options. She'll cover a few natural dye tips to consider during this demo, such as: colorfastness, mordants, and modifiers.

Meet your instructor: Joy O. Ude!

Joy O. Ude is a mixed-media artist and designer. An American-born child of Nigerian immigrants, Ude explores the concept of duality in her artwork. Ude earned her BFA in Fashion Design in 2005 from the University of North Texas. After working in the fashion industry, she also earned an MFA in Fiber Arts from the University of North Texas in 2013. Her work has been included in regional and national shows and she teaches fiber-based workshops nationally, most recently at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. Ude is currently the Director of Education at Tuft The World and a member of FJORD Gallery in Philadelphia.

You’ve been tufting away and everything looks great!  But…now what?  Join Tuft the World instructor Derek Hall as they give a live demonstration of gluing up the backside of a finished rug, using Tuft the World’s brand new carpet backing adhesive.  We’ll also go over your options for backing and binding, including a quick review of the types of backing cloths available through Tuft the World: final backing, Action Bac® and felt, and what makes them different.