The fact that we offer different tufting courses can sometimes be confusing for you. That's why we're taking a closer look at the differences in this blog. In all our courses, you tuft your own fluffy mural, rug, heat-resistant trivet or whatever you want. 

Depending on the duration of the course, your tufted rug will of course vary in size. You need absolutely no prior knowledge for the courses. Ideally, you already have an idea of what you want to tuft and that's enough. We will then look at everything else in the course.

We basically differentiate between two different courses: 

I will answer these questions about the tufting courses below:

• What does the tufting full-day course involve?
• What does the tufting taster course involve?
• Where do the tufting courses take place?

In all courses you will also receive a 10% voucher code for your next purchase in our shop and if you have any questions afterwards, I am of course always available by e-mail.

Tufting full day course

The full-day course starts at 9am and runs until around 5pm. Depending on how fast you work. Of course we also have a lunch break at midday. Our full-day tufting course includes the following points:

• Looking at carpet patterns, discussing various options 
• Structure of a tufted carpet 
• Yarn options 
• Tensioning the tufting frame 
•  Selecting and transferring the design 
• Introduction to the tufting machines (Ak-I Cut Pile and AK-II Loop Pile) 
• Gluing the back and selecting the finishing material 
• Cutting, finishing, and final touches

Look at rug samples, discuss various options:

No matter where the course takes place, I always have self-tufted rugs with me that have been tufted with different yarns and using different machines. This way, you can see what the different textures and materials look like right at the beginning of the course. 

We'll look at all the options for your rug first.

Structure of a tufted rug:

Here I explain to you how a tufted rug is constructed. It is important for you to know that we always work on a special base fabric, the tufting cloth. This tufting cloth is our base, because the yarn is shot through it by the tufting machine and then stuck in the fabric. The tufting machine does not make a button and the yarn is really only stuck through it. 

Yarn options

Here it is the case that I naturally have a larger selection of yarns at our studio in Atleier than I do in Zurich, Bern or St. Gallen, as I simply can't always transport all the shelves of yarn. However, I always have all our wool colours and all our acrylic colours that we also sell in the shop. So you can also view the colours online and possibly already start thinking about your design. 

You can choose from all our colours in the tufting course.

Stretching the cloth to the tufting frame

Then I'll show you how to stretch the cloth to the tufting frame. This is an important part of tufting a rug, and if you stretch the cloth really well and evenly, tufting will be much easier for you throughout the day.

Selecting and transferring the design

We look at each design individually to see if and how it can best be tufted. It is important for you to know that a tufted line is about as wide as the tip of your little finger when squeezed. So we can't tuft a line that is 1 mm wide. This means that we have to make sure that your designs are not too delicate. But that's the only restriction you'll get from me. You can tuft something square, something round, or a free form. You can tuft one piece of 50x70cm or 50 small things on this area, such as decorative elements for magnets. You are completely free.

You then have various options for transferring your design to the taut tufting frame. If you are good at drawing, you can draw the design on parchment paper, and then we can easily trace it onto the frame. However, if you have something really crazy and it has to be exactly like that, then I always have a projector with me in the all-day courses and we can simply project it. 

Thanks to the projection, you can also tuft more complex images.

Introduction to the tufting machines (Ak-I Cut Pile and AK-II Loop Pile)

With the tufting machines, we look at how you have to handle them, what needs to be considered, how you tuft straight lines and curves, how big the distance should be from one line to the next, and so on. We will look at everything with the AK-I Cut Pile, the cut pile machine, and the AK-II Loop Pile, the loop pile machine. 

Then you can each make your first tufting attempts individually with me on the test frame. You don't have to do this on your project. Only when you feel comfortable on the test frame will I give you a suitable tufting machine and you can start with your project.

Then you can tuft your first rug :) Of course, I will be there all day to help you if you have a problem, a question or want to try something else.

You can also buy the two tufting machines AK-I and AK-II here in our shop.

Glue the back and choose the finishing material

When you have finished tufting, cut off all the yarn snippets at the back and we glue the back of the rug. Depending on whether it is going to be a rug, wall hanging, coaster or cushion cover, we will show you how to finish the back of the rug individually. 

Then it's the end of the day for you, because the carpet should dry overnight on the frame. Otherwise, the tension would cause the carpet to simply roll up, which we naturally don't want. 

Shearing, finishing, final touches 

Then, of course, the question of the clippers always comes up. We don't shear your carpet directly in class. As already mentioned, it has to dry overnight on the frame. I absolutely do not recommend shearing on the frame as a beginner. Before we glue, there is always a chance that you will accidentally cut into the fabric and everything will come undone. Even if everything is already glued, we definitely don't want to pull glue onto the carpet from bottom to top with scissors or a razor. That's why you only do this when the carpet is dry.

So you can either come to my studio during the open studio and I will help you to finish everything. You can practice with the scissors on the sample carpet first and then shear your carpet, or I can send the carpet to your home and you can do it with a good fabric scissors.

Tufting taster course

The taster course is designed to give you a simple opportunity to try out tufting. The taster courses currently always take place in the evening from 6 p.m. and last about three to four hours. You will be tufting on a smaller tufting frame and can tuft a piece up to a maximum of 35x35 cm. You are completely free in terms of shape and design. Compared to the full-day course, the frame is already pre-tensioned here and you can get started immediately after the introduction.

You can either bring a prepared design or draw something during the course. We do not project any designs in the taster course because we do not have enough time for it. In the taster course, we only work with the AK-I cut pile tufting machine, which produces the fluffy, soft, cut pile. Again, you are free to choose between our wool and acrylic yarns and can design your rug however you like. 

These small wall hangings, pot coasters and cushion covers were made in taster courses.

After an introduction to the structure of tufted pieces, we will look at the yarn and the tufting machine. Here, too, I will show you everything on the test frame and you can also try out and get to know the machine on this frame. Once you have chosen and transferred your design, you can start tufting your first fluffy, soft rug.

Because the rug is so small, we can take it directly off the frame and place it in a nice, colourful pizza box. This way, your rug can dry and you can take it home right away. The next day, all you have to do is trim the edges with scissors and your decorative piece is ready.

Where do the tufting courses take place?

We offer the courses at the following locations: 

Tuftinglove Atelier Suhr (Aarau)

We have our studio and our shop in Suhr, right next to Aarau. Our studio is, of course, designed for tufting courses and is well equipped. You also have the option of renting studio time by the hour once you have attended a course. You can then also realise larger projects and I am always there to help you if you need a refresher.

Tufting course in Zurich

In Zurich, our courses currently always take place in Studio 177 at Heinrichstrasse 177. The studio is located directly behind the viaduct arches and is run by Beni.

www.beni.ch

Tufting course in St.Gallen Konigs

This autumn, we will also be in Konigs in St.Gallen for the first time. You may know Konigs as the most beautiful lamp shop in the world. The tufting courses will take place directly in your showroom and I am really looking forward to it!

www.konigs.ch

Tufting course Bern Malso

We will also be in Bern for the first time in autumn. In the chic Malso restaurant right by the train station, we will tuft a beautiful rug with good coffee and a relaxed atmosphere. 

www.malso.ch

I think I've told you everything now. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment in this blog post or send me an email:

I hope you have a fluffy day and hope to see you in a class soon! 
Jenni