Do you have time to spare and want to learn a new skill? If so, tufting might pique your interest! Contrary to what you might be thinking, the art of tufting is easy to learn and immensely rewarding, and you will realize that by the end of this article. The best part is that you can enroll in LIVLOLA’s Tuft Girl! Workshop to learn this craft the right way.
Before getting into the ‘hows’ and ‘whats,’ let me tell you about the projects you can work on. This fun and creative technique can be used to make – or as the experts say ‘tuft’ – a bunch of things, such as mittens, blankets, rugs, wall hangings, coasters, cushion covers, plant pot holders, vase covers, etc. Basically, one can introduce several new furnishings to their homes using a few handy tools and some well-practiced skills.
Thanks to social media, some of you may already be familiar with this art form. Videos of young people tufting flooded our Instagram and TikTok feeds in 2020. The digital promotion made sure that more people from all over the world picked up tufting.
This article is a beginner’s guide to tufting, complete with information about the tools you will need and workshops you can take, so keep reading!
The basics of tufting
Tufting originated in ancient Europe, where seasoned artisans would use it to make exquisite embroidered rugs. The name of this art form originates from the English word ‘tuft,’ which means short strands of a material bunched together, like hair or grass. So, tufted goods are essentially made when tufts of yarn or threads are inserted into a primary base. This results in the creation of a unique three-dimensional and fluffy surface.
All tufted projects, including furnishings, create an interesting visual that instantly draws the viewer’s eye. Imagine how cool it will be to replicate your favorite characters, patterns, and prints! Don’t be surprised when the protruding bunches of yarn tempt you to run your hand through the soft pattern repeatedly. Moreover, tufted blankets, mittens, coats, and other warm garments are famous for being supremely insulating and cozy. These especially benefit people who have to live through severely cold conditions.
Now imagine being able to create all the things mentioned above and more on your own, without needing to spend an exorbitant sum. You will also be preserving an art form that has become obscure over time.
What do you need to start your tufting journey?
Tufting gun
It is just as cool to look at and use as it sounds! A tufting gun works by pushing strands of thread or yarn through the fabric you use it on. So, for example, if you want to create a tufted pattern on a plain pillowcase, you will need a tufting gun to do it, among other essentials.
To be adept at this tool, one needs to learn how to hold it correctly, proper placement angles, and the amount of pressure to apply. Thankfully, LIVLOLA Malaysia and Singapore are hosting comprehensive tufting classes for women who are interested.
When ordering a tufting gun online, you will discover that it comes in two types – loop pile and cut pile. The difference is primarily observed in the resulting tufts created by these guns. If you are unsure about which one to get, you can always purchase the one that does both!
Tufting yarn
Once you start tufting, you will be amazed at how quickly you go through your yarn supply and need to buy some more. Yarn comes in different types, weights, and colors, wherein acrylic, wool, and cotton are most commonly used for tufting. Acrylic produces short and fat tufts, while wool tufts tend to be thicker and plusher.
Tufting fabric
Tufting requires two kinds of fabric – primary and secondary. The primary tufting fabric is the one you use the tufting gun on to shoot the yarn through and create the desired pattern. Just like with yarn, you have various options to choose from that vary in price. Keep in mind that the primary fabric must have tiny holes between its fibers for the tufting gun needle to go through without tearing the cloth apart. Commonly used materials are monk’s cloth, burlap, and linen.
The secondary tufting fabric is known as the backing fabric, and as the name suggests, it is attached to the back of a finished rug to seal it off. The backing fabric also comes in different materials such as cotton canvas, felt, and non-slip felt. Depending on the project, you might not need to use a backing fabric every time. If you are going to create a wall hanging out of the project, there is no need to glue on a backing fabric; instead, you can directly attach it to the piece of wood.
Tufting frame
A tufting frame serves the vital purpose of holding the primary fabric tautly in place while you use the tufting gun on it. These are simple wooden frames you can build yourself or get online and assemble at home. Also, it comes in handy if the structure has a system to feed the yarn into the gun. You need a couple of strategically placed hooks on the frame to make sure that the yarn stays detangled and away from the fabric while you work.
Miscellaneous supplies
Here is a list of a few other things you will need: glue, sharp scissors, pliers, a fabric pen or permanent marker, and a glue spreader.
LIVLOLA’s Tuft Girl! Workshop
LIVLOLA is home to an incredible collection of activewear, loungewear, and fitness accessories. All of their products are designed to be top-quality, stylish, and functional. That is not all; LIVLOLA is a holistic brand that offers well-rounded products and services to its customers while looking out for the environment at the same time.
The LIVLOLA team consists of people who are passionate about wellness, fashion, and change. They want to empower women everywhere to live their best lives. To further this cause, the brand hosts fitness programs, rewarding classes, and enjoyable events for the ladies.
Among these is the Tuft Girl! Workshop where the attendees are taught the ABCs of tufting in the most fun manner. Imagine being surrounded by like-minded women, befriending new people, laughing together, all the while learning a new craft. Once you have a grasp of the techniques, you can use them to bring astonishing projects to life. You can also step it up and start a small-scale business. So, quit wondering and visit LIVLOLA’s website now and signup for their tufting workshop!
Register for LIVLOLA’s tufting class with Atome
We have more exciting news to share! LIVLOLA has partnered with Atome to make the payment process convenient for you.
Headquartered in Singapore with over 15,000 partnered merchants and available in 8 markets, Atome offers its users the choice and convenience of flexible payment options for a variety of products and services. The app allows shoppers to split their purchases over three interest-free monthly payments by scanning a partner retailer’s in-store QR code or upon website checkout. By splitting their payments, Atome users will be able to better manage their budget while making quality products and services more reachable.
To become an Atome user, all you need to do is download the app (get it here) and create an account. Thankfully, the user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a piece of cake, so signing up won’t take any time.
- Log on to LIVLOLA’s website and go to the Get Moving drop-down menu.
- Select Classes and Events.
- Click on the event that you like and make the necessary selections.
- Tap on Add to Cart.
- During checkout, choose Atome as the payment method.
- Log in to your Atome account.
- Enter the total amount of your bill.
- Have a look at the payment schedule, then go ahead and make the first payment.
- You will be enrolled!
- The application will charge the subsequent payments on respective due dates to the credit or debit card listed on your Atome account.
Just like everyone else, you deserve some quality me-time in your life. It is imperative that you take out an hour or two every day for activities that make you happy. If learning a new craft and working with your hands bring you joy, register for LIVLOLA’s tufting classes now! Don’t forget to use Atome to benefit from the various perks.
