How to Make Tufted Rugs for Beginners?
Great evolution begins with a little change.
Dr. Jeffery - Mar 25 2022
Table of Contents
1. Tufting Gun
2. Tufting Cloth
3. Tufting Frame
4. Yarn
5. Other Tufting Supplies You Need
6. Tips
7. Warning
Have you ever heard of tufting? It's an exciting artisanal technique that allows you to create thick and cozy rugs, using a tufting gun to thread the wool through a stretched fabric.
Rug tufting has become fairly popular in recent years, and if you’ve ever seen the process, it isn’t hard to see why. With just a few materials, you can create large and functional art pieces in any shape or size. Rug making can be incredibly fun and rewarding, and you can use your custom rugs in your home, give them as gifts, or even sell them online!
But how do you get started? Here’s a breakdown of everything you need as a beginner:
Tufting Gun
The tufting gun is the most significant investment out of all the supplies, but it’s also what makes this craft so fun and easy.
On the off chance you haven’t seen one, a tufting gun is sort of like a handheld sewing machine that allows you to push yarn into a cloth to create rugs in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Before selecting your tufting gun, you first need to decide if you want a loop pile or cut pile model. Or you can choose a 2in1 model which offers both of these options in one gun.
Tufting Cloth
Another rug tufting necessity that has some variance is backing cloth. The type of backing cloth you’ll want to purchase depends once again on your project, skill level, and budget.
The most beginner-friendly cloth to purchase is primary tufting cloth, which is a cotton and polyester blend. It’s durable and made specifically for easy tufting. It also generally features guidelines to help you space things out as you work.
Tufting Frame
To properly create your tufted rug, you’ll need a tufting frame. A tufting frame allows you to stretch your tufting backing cloth vertically so you can easily work on your rug without worrying about your cloth rolling up on you or having any surface beneath your rug get caught in your yarn. For beginners, it’s suggested to start with a smaller frame which could be 20 x 20in.
Yarn
You’ll need a fair amount yarns to tuft, but the exact amount will depend on the size of your project, whether or not you’re using a low or high-pile machine, and how many yarn strands you’re tufting with at a time (we recommend two, for a plusher density). You can tuft using most types of natural fiber yarns, but high quality tufting gun yarns, like our Toolant Eco-cotton, will work best with your tufting machine and be the most durable.
Other Tufting Supplies You Need
You’ll need a fair amount yarns to tuft, but the exact amount will depend on the size of your project, whether or not you’re using a low or high-pile machine, and how many yarn strands you’re tufting with at a time (we recommend two, for a plusher density). You can tuft using most types of natural fiber yarns, but high quality tufting gun yarns, like our Toolant Eco-cotton, will work best with your tufting machine and be the most durable.
Tips
If you have not worked with a tufting tool or shuttle-type punch before, practice a few rug stitches first. You can always remove them if you do not like the way they look. You can also buy a cutting machine with different-sized cutting heads for creating strips of "yarn" from recycled fabrics or wool. A special pair of bent-handled scissors makes it easier to cut the yarn tails.
Warning
Keep your hand away from the underside of the rug backing material as you work the tool to avoid stabbing or cutting yourself with the device.