I had an absolutely wonderful time yesterday learning to hook wool rugs at The Hen House. Today, I'd like to tell you about my lesson and show you around the store more. Last time I as there, I missed half the shop, because I never even walked back to the classroom! Shame on me!
Nancy began our lesson by having a discussion about frames and how to attach our linen to the frame. She has the most beautiful wooden frame. Oh, is it gorgeous! She's a woman after my own heart. She loves good, high quality, beautiful tools!
I am all set up and ready to hook!
Nancy showed us how to pull the strips of wool up from under the linen. We learned how to start and stop and how high to make the loops. We learned about cutting wool strips and all the different widths you can use. We had a discussion about wools and high vs. low quality wools. It was a ton of fun.
Especially fun for me was that I got to meet Sue of Simply Pieceful Quilting. She came to the lesson, too! I've been reading Sue's blog for a few years now, and we've had a lot of email communication. It was so nice to meet her in person! I had a gret time with her, and it's always more fun to learn together!
Here is the cute classroom space we were working in. Our stuff is all over the table. I loved all the different antique chairs that were at the tables, and there was so much to look at in the classroom!
From my seat, I got to look at all the basket-making supplies. How fun!
And next to those (on the right) were vintage, hand crank sewing machines (Nancy sells them), along with some fun quilts.
To the left of the basket-making supplies were all these finished baskets. I love baskets. They are containers after all, and you know I have a fetish for containers!
If I looked to the right from where I was sitting in class, I could see the sale wall. Lots of goodies in there!
Closer to me on my right was this vintage stove, where the "Hot Sales" were. How cute is that? I love attention to detail like this.
On the back wall, to the right of the vintage sewing machines is this rug that Nancy hooked. Isn't it fantastic? I love it. This is one reason I wanted to learn to rug hook. I want to make one of the primitive pumpkin men rugs for Halloween. (There is another vintage sewing machine below this rug. I meant to get it in the photo, but blew it when taking the photo.) You can see the light from the back door coming in on the right-hand side of this photo. It was such a beautiful day, we got to have the door open. It was so nice!
On the way out the back door, there are some more fun Halloween quilts.
I especially liked this one. I complimented Nancy on it, and she told me it was a quilt she had designed for one of the local shop hops. I love it. I meant to get this pattern and forgot. I need to remember this next time I go there!
Going back out to the front of the store, I found this cabinet full of thread. I had completely missed this last time I was there! What an excellent assortment. And Nancy carries Aurifil thread, which you know I love.
And this might be a TMI, but even the bathroom is adorable! Everything in it is so in keeping with the shop.
Here's the view while you're doing your business. LOL.
Nancy showed us her progress on her hexie table topper. I think it is just wonderful! I am looking forward to seeing it finished.
I also saw this little wall hanging on the way out. Nancy designed it, with monthly little quilts you can make and change out, using the little clothespins. So cute!
I forgot to take a photo of my rug to show you my progress. I guess I'll do that in a future post. But I had a wonderful time. I learned a lot. Nancy is an excellent teacher. I appreciate it so much that she was willing to arrange this class to meet MY schedule! When I finish my rug, I'll go back for another lesson on how to bind and finish the rug. That will also be fun. I hope Sue can come then, too!
And Elise, who also works in the store, is just the sweetest, most wonderful thing. I really enjoy seeing her in the shop when I come in. What a combo these two women are!
I have to say, I'm feeling pretty bad it takes me over an hour to get to this shop. I really love it. It's probably a good thing. If it were closer, I'd be in there all too often! ;-) Nancy does have an online retail business, too. So, if you see something you want to peruse, you can see her website here.
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone. It's a rainy one here.
And Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there!
Until next time,
Wow, Stephanie! What a great post! I didn't realize you took so many pictures. You have really captured Nancy's wonderful quilt shop so well.
It sure was a pleasure meeting up with you. I just hope I didn't wear you out with my nonsense! ha! I am so impressed with your nice even rows you've hooked. I think crafting is a natural for you as you do all things so well.
Posted by: Sue | May 10, 2013 at 08:50 AM
So you're officially a hooker now, huh? I was hoping to get to see your little bird after the class -- you just like keeping us all in suspense, don't you? That shop looks like fun -- somewhere I could get lost for way too long and spend way too much money!
Posted by: Shelly Pagliai | May 10, 2013 at 09:09 AM
Oh, rug hooking is something I would love to do. I used to live right near a shop with rug hooking lessons and took just one but loved it. I have a small collection of wool, the cutter and a frame, but need to spend some time with it!
Posted by: Amy | May 10, 2013 at 09:10 AM
I love how many classes you take. There's so much to learn out there!
Posted by: Jana | May 10, 2013 at 09:20 AM
Such cute stuff in that shop! Glad you had a great day! I'm in the mood to work on my Halloween embroidery quilt. If only I could find a fabric to do the embroidery on! I might have to attempt tea dying some solid and intentionally making it splotchy.
Posted by: Lynn | May 10, 2013 at 09:38 AM
Looks like a great new interest! My mom still has a couple of rugs made for her by her grandmother. I wanted to recreate them on a tiny scale by needlepunch, but have never done it. Such a cool quilt shop!!
Posted by: Amy DeCesare | May 10, 2013 at 11:26 AM
What a great shop! I haven't had any exposure to wool rug hooking (except for drooling over the finished products). Looks like fun. Were you able to get much done on your rug?
Posted by: Deb | May 10, 2013 at 01:26 PM
Inspiring - I started rug hooking years ago and I'm still working on a fish rug. I love it! Just wish I had that beautiful wood frame. This shop is wonderful - nice photos!
Posted by: kathy olkowski | May 10, 2013 at 02:10 PM
What a nice time! Thanks so much for sharing all the inspiring pictures :-)
Posted by: Michele | May 10, 2013 at 06:20 PM
You have definitely gotten the rug hooking 'bug'! That shop looks to be a super cute one!! Could spend may hours and $$$ there!! Hugs, Doreen
Posted by: Treadlemusic.wordpress.com | May 10, 2013 at 06:37 PM
Wow -- it sure looks like a wonderful store! I spy a Halloween quilt that I like -- it's the one with the jack-o-lanterns. Did you have Halloween on your mind when you were taking pictures LOL? Can't wait to see your hooking project. I hope you had a Happy Mother's Day!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | May 13, 2013 at 09:22 AM
What a fun shop and a fun class! I love the look of wool, but do I need another addiction....?
Posted by: Maggie Szafranski | May 14, 2013 at 08:58 AM