Portuguese Arraiolos (are-rye-OH-loosh) Rug Technique

Saturday, April 12 and 26, 1-4pm

Class level: All levels

Age requirements: 16 and up

Teaching artist: Christina Ruhaak (@cruhaak)

Class fee: $155

Fun to make and fun to say! Would you like to learn the basics of how to make Arraiolos rugs? These wonderful long-wearing rugs are stitched by hand with wool yarns on a burlap backing fabric. There are no hoops or fancy stretchers. The rugs are stitched in your lap or on a tabletop. These rugs have been made for centuries in Portugal and are considered some of the best in the world. In this class you will start a small sample to practice the key stitches of the Arraiolos craft and hopefully inspire you to make your very own rug. You will leave this class having learned:

• How to prepare the backing fabric for stitching

• How to read a pattern

• Basic Arraiolos stitches to outline and fill in the background

Provided Supplies:

• Pattern

• Burlap backing fabric

• Tapestry needle

• Yarns

Required Supplies:

• Small scissors with a sharp point

Optional Supplies:

• Thimble

• Small pliers

Note: Some experience with stitching is helpful but not necessary.

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Bio:

Christina Ruhaak is an artist and designer with a studio practice in Madison, Wi. She has designed custom Nepalese rugs for private clients for over 20 years. She is graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design with an MFA in textiles and has studied at the Designskole in Copenhagen, Denmark. Her textile work has been exhibited internationally. She loves collecting textile oddities. Her latest find was embroidered flowers made of fish scales.

Social: @cruhaak