Tufting has increased in popularity in recent years as popular social media have created entire online communities devoted to the craft. Tufting is the process of using specialized needles to puncture and incorporate yarn through backing fabric in order to create a variety of dimensions and textures. There are a variety of objects you can tuft! Carpets might seem like the most obvious choice, but you can also tuft coasters and phone cases. The possibilities are endless!
What is the process of tufting? First, assemble a strong frame that is appropriate for the size of your backing fabric, which should be firmly stapled to your frame. Then, outline the pattern or illustration that you want to tuft on your chosen backing fabric. If you are using a tufting gun, simply thread your tufting machine and begin! Just remember not to tuft the same area multiple times in order to avoid unusual lumps of yarn. After you are done tufting, remove the cloth from the tufting frame. You will need to trim the margins of the cloth and overcoat the back of the carpet with glue to keep the yarns in place. After final modifications, you are all set to enjoy your tufted masterpiece!
I took a tufting class at 528 Entertainment in Rowland Heights, and I absolutely loved it! This establishment also has branches in Monterey Park and Irvine. I highly suggest taking tufting classes from this shop because the instructors were patient and passionate about the craft. They gave detailed instructions during my tufting journey and made sure that I was on the right track by checking in frequently and reminding me about areas of my cloth that needed more threads. I tufted my carpet for $88, the price for tufting a small-sized carpet. They also offer larger carpets at higher prices but even the most basic option produces a fairly decently-sized rug.
Personally, from the first step of outlining to the last steps of gluing, it took me five hours to make my carpet. I suggest that you come prepared with a picture of what you want to tuft because the instructors will project your pattern on your cloth so that you can easily outline it. The entire process was not as difficult as I expected but there are still challenges. Sometimes you may tuft yarn where you don’t intend to. Luckily, you can easily fix these mistakes by cutting and pulling out those bits of yarn. Another challenge is applying just the right amount of pressure on the cloth using the tufting machine, but you’ll get the hang of it and get into a groove. Most students sat down when they were tufting, but I stood up because I felt like I could apply greater pressure on the cloth this way. It was a tiring process but overall a fun and rewarding experience!
If you discover the absolute joy of tufting after your first class, it is definitely worth investing in a personal tufting kit. Kits come with a tufting machine, tufting frame, cloth and yarn to help you make any personalized home decor and accessories at the comfort of your home.
The next time you have an urge to creatively vent or take a break by engaging in arts and crafts, try picking up tufting! Chances are, you are missing out on a unique form of art you haven’t yet experienced. It’s time to tuft your unique carpets and coasters that express your personality and aesthetic!
