Workshops are for beginners and improvers and cover a variety of techniques. They range from one hour taster sessions to one day workshops or weekend creative breaks.
What you can make depends on the time available but even taster sessions enable you to make a sample – it’s all hands on. Longer courses also cover elements involved in design in greater detail and you could complete a small project or start one to finish at home.
Accompanied children are usually welcome. Some courses are just for young people or those with learning disabilities.
Explore your creativity at your own pace with expert tuition. (Warning – this craft can be addictive!) Hessian, tools/equipment, books are available at courses or by mail order.
Course details may be changed and new dates added later so please check with venue or email Jenni.
2021 During this difficult time YOU CAN WORK AT HOME IF YOU BUY A KIT BY MAIL and I am available for help by email or telephone. See Tools, Kits and Books page. I am happy to help you get creative.
July 2016: Oxfordshire OX33 1JZ Taster workshops at the last ART IN ACTION, Waterperry House.
“Thank you again for sharing your enthusiasm and expertise – I’m well and truly ‘hooked’ even if I’m still a bit of a ‘bodger’!” J.
“What a wonderful day at the one day rag rug workshop, excellent instruction, good company, very practical, got to try all techniques and came away with a finished project. Thoroughly enjoyable day – thank you!” Jenny
2017 “Thank you for a fab course on Saturday. I really feel like I get it now. Anticipating a winter of rugmaking. I’ll let you know how I get on.”Anne
“Dear Jenni, Thank you for a great course yesterday – it was so good to spend a day with an expert and find out the proper way to do things! Infinitely better than trying to follow video clips on You Tube. I love your book and am excited by all my future projects. I am so glad I have learnt how to do Plaited Rugs – I will do a larger one just to practice- but think I prefer the shaggy rug look. I hope to come on another of your courses next year – they are FAB! With love and best wishes.” Tess
“Just wanted to say thank you for the fabulous weekend at Lower Buckton… can’t remember when I last had such a lovely time learning such great stuff in such a glorious setting & with such fab company!” Bryony
2018
“Thank you for such an excellent day at Blue Ginger Gallery. I enjoyed it very much indeed and have been working away at the seat pad I started. I’ve almost finished it – tried to do some hooking in some of the spaces I’d created and I’m quite pleased with the result. Hopefully I’ll get it done and backed by the end of next week and then I can make a start on the larger project.” Jennifer
“Thank you very much for the workshop yesterday. Really enjoyed it and what an inspiring place to be for the day & delicious refreshments.” Linda Barr
November 3rd Hereford HR1 2EP, 10-4 FESTIVE WREATH WORKSHOP at Rose Tinted Rags, Hereford
“Great Course – I am now hooked and rag rugging away merrily! Jenni’s instructions very clear and tips on how to combine different colours and weights of textiles helpful. The day flew by and we learned progging as well as hooked rugs – inspirational! Setting very pleasant with plenty of light to work by, congenial company and delicious refreshments, a real treat. Yours raggily.” Vanessa
2019
February 21 – DY10 1AZ : DAY WORKSHOP at The Museum of Carpet, Stour Vale Mill, Green Street, Kidderminster. http://www.museumofcarpet.org
“Little projects are giving me the feeling of satisfaction. Thanks for your encouragement. A true teacher. ( I am a retired SN teacher)” Jean Campbell x
Feb. 28 – March 3 : W14 8UX – The Spring Knitting & Stitching Show, London.
March 28 – Worcestershire WR12 7NE , 10 – 4 : DAY WORKSHOP at the Stanton Guildhouse nr Broadway. Info/bookings*
April 5,6,7 – WR6 5RD: WEEKEND RESIDENTIAL WORKSHOP at Huntlands Farm, Whitbourne, Worcs. £250*
May 18,19 ST19 5RE – WOOL@J13 Lower Drayton Farm, Penkridge, Staffordshire. A celebration of all things woolly just off Junction 13 of the M6. Details: http://wool-j13.uk
June 5 DY10 1AZ – DAY WORKSHOP at The Museum of Carpet, Kidderminster. http://www.museumofcarpet.org
“Just a quick email to say how much Val and I enjoyed our day with you, we both feel quite inspired to have a go and Val is already planning to cut up Trev’s trousers and jacket!”
June 8 – Black Country Living Museum, Tipton Road, Dudley, DY1 4SQ Learn the traditional techniques of hooking and podging https://www.bclm.co.uk
“Hi Jenni, Couldn’t put it down…..phase 1 completed! So glad to be embarking on a rag rug journey. Thanks!
“I just wanted to say thanks for the fabulous workshop today. I’m just about to start working on the progging again. It’s very addictive! So many thanks for your guidance and your inspiration.
With all good wishes,Sarah“
June 26 10-4 : SY7 9JL DAY WORKSHOP at Westhope College, Westhope, Craven Arms, Shropshire. More details: info@westhope.org.uk 01584 861293
June 30, WR13 5NW : RAG RUG WORKSHOP as part of the Marquee of Making Week at Blue-Ginger Gallery, Stiffords Bridge, nr Malvern
July 6 GL 1JH – DAY WORKSHOP at New Brewery Arts, Brewery Court, Cirencester, Gloucester. https://www.newbreweryarts.org.uk 01285 657181
August 1 – 4 : NEC, Birmingham The FESTIVAL OF QUILTS : The largest quilt show in Europe. http://www.thefestivalofquilts.co.uk.
September 7 – 15 HEREFORDSHIRE ARTS WEEK https://www.h-art.org.uk
September 18 : SY7 9JL DAY WORKSHOP at Westhope College, Westhope, Craven Arms, Shropshire.
October 9 : WR12 7NE – DAY WORKSHOP at Stanton Guildhouse, Stanton near Broadway. http://www.stantonguildhouse.org.uk
“Just a note to say how much I enjoyed your Rag Rug workshop at Stanton. It is refreshing to learn some new skills” Jeanette
October 19 10-4 LEOMINSTER APPLE FAIR, Herefordshire: lots of apples, craft stalls, cafe and more at the Priory Church, Church Street, Leominster.
Oct.25,26,27 – WR6 5RD: WEEKEND RESIDENTIAL WORKSHOP at Huntlands Farm, Whitbourne, Worcs. £250 Info/bookings*
Oct.26 10-5 WR6 5RD : DAY WORKSHOP at Huntlands Farm, Whitbourne, Worcs. £60*
November 14 : DY10 1AZ : DAY WORKSHOP (by popular demand) Make a festive wreath at The Museum of Carpet, Stour Vale Mill, Green Street, Kidderminster. http://www.museumofcarpet.org COURSE FULL
2020
February 7,8,9 : WR6 5RD – WEEKEND WORKSHOP at Huntlands Farm, Whitbourne, Worcestershire. From 5ish Friday evening to Sunday lunch.
8 February : WR6 5RD 10-5 DAY WORKSHOP at Huntlands Farm, Whitbourne, Worcs. £60 includes lunch and tea/coffee, beverages during the day.
22 February 10-4 DY10 1AZ : DAY WORKSHOP at The Museum of Carpet, Stour Vale Mill, Green Street, Kidderminster. Progging & Hooking. £40. 01562 69028 – http://www.museumofcarpet.org CANCELLED DUE TO FLOODING
Feb. 27 – Mar.1st : N1 OHQ – The STITCH FESTIVAL, Business Design Centre, Upper St., Islington, London (formerly known as the Knitting & Stitching Show). Lots of workshops incl. Friday 28th : 14.15 – 15.15 Prog a Sampler (shaggy rug technique). Saturday 29th : 12.15 – 13.15 An introduction to 2 Vintage Techniques. £17 includes a kit for one hour taster. Bookings: https.www.thestitchfestival.co.uk
March 7th 10 – 4 GL 1JH – DAY WORKSHOP at New Brewery Arts, Brewery Court, Cirencester, Gloucester. Bookings: https://www.newbreweryarts.org.uk 01285 657181
March 17 10 – 4 WR12 7NE – DAY WORKSHOP at Stanton Guildhouse, Stanton near Broadway. A stone manor house on the Cotswold Way overlooking the Vale of Evesham. Superb country location where you can see Ghandi’s spinning wheel. £80 includes delicious home cooked lunch and beverages. Contact Jenni* for info and bookings. Optional b&b http://www.stantonguildhouse.org.uk
“Many thanks for a wonderful day at The Guildhouse yesterday. Your joy and enthusiasm for the craft was infectious I came away with the confidence that I could produce something beautiful. Also I thought the day was really good value for money and compliments to the chef – the food was delightful.” Helen (20/4/17)
***DUE TO THE VIRUS MANY EVENTS ARE BEING CANCELLED AND SOME SCHEDULED FOR LATER IN THE YEAR (all being well). Please check to see if an event is going ahead. Call or email*
May 7 – 10 WR13 6NW : RHS Spring Festival at Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcs. Gardener’s delights plus 3 craft guilds showing/selling. CANCELLED
May 16, 17 : ST19 5RE – WOOL@J13 Lower Drayton Farm, Penkridge, Staffordshire. A celebration of all things woolly just off Junction 13 of the M6. Held on a 600 acre farm: stalls, workshops, fun, food and lots of wool. Details: http://wool-j13.uk. POSTPONED UNTIL 2021
May 30 – DY1 4SQ : DAY WORKSHOP An introduction to rag rug making at the Black Country Living Museum, Dudley. Learn the traditional techniques of hooking and podging strips of fabric through hessian backing to make rugs, wall hangings and seat mats.
This is a Heritage Skills daytime course, part of the IgnitEd Programme. For more info call 0121 520 8054 or book online at: https://www.bclm.co.uk CANCELLED
June 4 DY10 1AZ : DAY WORKSHOP (by popular demand) Plaited (braided) rag rugs at The Museum of Carpet, Stour Vale Mill, Green Street, Kidderminster. Make a table mat or start a rug to finish at home. £40. 01562 69028 – CANCELLED http://www.museumofcarpet.org
June 13, 14 HR8 2LY : Hellens Garden Festival, Hellens Manor, Much Marcle, near Ledbury,Herefordshire. ‘Together, we are the Seeds of Change’ is the theme for 2020. A showcase for local producers, artists and exhibitors, unusual plants, innovative products, and community based, eco and environmental organisations. Alongside exhibitors, is a changing programme of talks, children’s activities, music, performance and interactive workshops, which aim to inspire, engage and provide a fabulous experience for all ages. Info: http://www.hellensgardenfestival.co.uk POSTPONED until 2021
September 5 – 13 HEREFORDSHIRE ARTS WEEK https://www.h-art.org.uk A nine day arts trail, for artists, craftmakers and creative businesses to open studios, galleries and group exhibitions to raise their profile and sell artwork. Well worth a visit – people come back every year to tour round studios and galleries. Jenni will exhibit with others and demonstrate at Kingsland Church HR6 9QW. CANCELLED
Oct. 10 – DY1 4SQ : DAY WORKSHOP Make a shaggy seat mat at the Black Country Living Museum, Dudley. Learn the traditional technique of podging strips of fabric through hessian backing to make rugs, wall hangings and seat mats.
This is a Heritage Skills daytime course, part of the IgnitEd Programme. For more info call 0121 520 8054 or book online at: https://www.bclm.co.uk CANCELLED
7 November : WR6 5RD 10-5 DAY WORKSHOP at Huntlands Farm, Whitbourne, Worcs. £60 includes lunch and tea/coffee, beverages during the day. Contact Jenni* for info and bookings. CANCELLED due to lockdown
November 19 : DY10 1AZ : DAY WORKSHOP (by popular demand) Make a festive wreath using Progging, the vintage technique you can use later for rag rugs. The Museum of Carpet, Stour Vale Mill, Green Street, Kidderminster. £40. 01562 69028 – http://www.museumofcarpet.org CANCELLED due to lockdown
GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE
I am happy at this time to give help by phone and email to rag rug makers working at home. I also sell tools, how-to books, DVDs and kits.
2021
May 22nd 10 – 4 GL 1JH – DAY WORKSHOP at New Brewery Arts, Brewery Court, Cirencester, Gloucester. Learn progging & hooking. £90. Accommodation available nearby. Bookings: https://www.newbreweryarts.org.uk 01285 657181 • There will be a maximum of six people in this class
• You will need a face covering
• Each studio will be cleaned before the start of the class. However, students will be asked to wipe down their workstation with sanitiser spray at the start and at the end of the session.
• No Food or drink in the studio. Onsite cafe.
June 12, 13 – HR8 2LY : Hellens Garden Festival, Hellens Manor, Much Marcle, near Ledbury, Herefordshire. ‘Together, we are the Seeds of Change’ is the theme for 2021. A showcase for local producers, artists and exhibitors, unusual plants, innovative products, and community based, eco and environmental organisations. Alongside exhibitors, is a changing programme of talks, children’s activities, music, performance and interactive workshops, which aim to inspire, engage and provide a fabulous experience for all ages. The health and safety of HGF visitors, volunteers, exhibitors and staff remains our top priority. Info: http://www.hellensgardenfestival.co.uk (We will continue to monitor and follow government advice throughout the planning, opening and running of Hellens Garden Festival 2021).
- 29th July – 1st August 2021 The NEC, Birmingham
- to manage overcrowding, tickets will be available in advance only and it will not be possible to purchase tickets on the door. See http://www.thefestivalofquilts.co.uk
- Quick & Easy workshops include Jenni teaching on 31 July: Braided Spiral Mats 11.30-12.30 and Vintage Shaggy Rug Technique 15.00-16.00
- https://www.seetickets.com/register/the-festival-of-quilts-register-your-interest/?src=headerbutton
5, 6, 7 November : WR6 5RD – WEEKEND WORKSHOP at Huntlands Farm, Whitbourne, Worcestershire. From 5ish Friday evening to Sunday lunch. Time to relax and focus on your creativity in a tranquil country location. Escape from the rat race to beautiful countryside. Learn two vintage rag rug techniques: Hooking and Progging. Accommodation (some 4 poster beds), home cooked food and tuition £260. Contact Jenni* for info and bookings.
Social distancing, risk assessment etc. will be observed. The final decision to go ahead with a course will be made in the month preceding the start date i.e. at the point where it is possible to assess the ongoing situation. Any deposit would be returned if course could not go ahead.
6 November 10-5 WR6 5RD DAY WORKSHOP at Huntlands Farm, Whitbourne, Worcs. £65 includes lunch and tea/coffee, beverages during the day. Contact Jenni* for info and bookings.
*Info/bookings: jenni.ragrugs@freeuk.com 01568 750229 – Watch this space for details of more workshops and events.
