An Historical Mystery

A quilt-like vintage hooked rug from Jessie A. Turbayne’s Hooked Rug Treasury

(While this isn’t really a story about rug hooking, it’s all about vintage which is the theme of our hook-in October 2.  Read on for an (admittedly tenuous) connection to rug hooking!)

Do you like a good mystery?  Are you interested in history?  The article below about a quilt made in Canada during WW2 has it all - mystery, history AND textiles, to boot.  Back in the 1940’s in order to support folks in the UK who were displaced by the war, Canadians rallied to produce goods for them:  blankets, quilts, clothing, etc.  We’re not talking about a handful of items: things were sent over in the hundreds of thousands!

Some of these items still exist, and there are folks out there researching them, and finding some of the original quilts.  One such lady is Joanna Dermenjian.  Her story and connection to the writer of the article below is quite amazing.

Here’s a link to the website where you’ll find the story.  It’s told as part of a podcast.  You can click on the link there to listen to it - think of it like a radio program….or…you scroll down below the photos you can read a transcript of the whole shebang.  The website is called hapticandhue.com and there are tons of other interesting articles/podcasts available there.

Label from the quilt - photo by Joanna Dermenjian, published in the Gananoque Reporter

The story was reasonably newsworthy:  Click here to read the article in the Gananoque Reporter of the repatriation of the quilt, and of even more info that was added to Joanna’s research.

Joanna Dermenjian’s website/blog also has lots of interesting info - you can find her at sutureandselvedge.com.  She has an instagram page, too, with even more info.

It was at her instagram page where i found that rather tenuous link to rug hooking…..She posted about a WW2 quilt that was repatriated from Australia to Moose Jaw, and included some newspaper clippings from back in the day, listing the thousands of items shipped to the UK.  Included in that was the following: 

(Screenshot from suture_and_selvage instagram account)

(No. 32 Service Flying Training School was an RAF base near Moose Jaw, Sask.)

….and if you read the Gananoque Reporter article, you’ll recall that it mentioned a knitted rug…..so that tells us that not only were quilts part of the war effort, but also rugs, although likely in much smaller quantities.  Rugs were usually put through a hard life, so it’s highly unlikely that any examples of WW2 items still exist…..but you never know……

Joanna has very kindly supplied me with links to other sources on vintage rugs, so I’ll feature them in future blog posts.  Stay tuned.

It’s About Time Video

We’ve had a number of questions, so we put together this video, explaining more about our Hook-In on October 2.  

Folks have been asking questions about the rug registry, and what to bring, so hopefully we’ve covered it off in the video below. Spoiler alert:  bring all of your vintage rugs for display, regardless of the condition.  You’ll have the option of registering them (or not) at our hook-in.

More info!

 

 Wow….and here we are back again, after a loooong hiatus!  

This year’s hook-in is all about vintage - it will focus on those vintage rugs many folks have carefully stored.

We want to see your vintage hooked rugs! Choose to have them displayed or registered. For quick, same-day registration on the OHCG registry, rugs must be 25 years or older, hooked in Ontario and with provenance if known. Any doubts – bring them anyway. 

Place: Grace Church, 440 King Street East, Cobourg. Time: 10am – 2pm; 

Bring: lunch, $5, hooking. 

There will be: Speakers! Vendors! Yummy Refreshments! Scissor/Cutter Sharpening!

Watch this space regularly for updates & more info!

Here’s a link to our latest blog post!

...and that’s a wrap for this year...

Well....we held a very successful hook-in....one of our best ever.  There was a lot of work involved, but the results were wonderful.  We hope you had as much fun as we did!

Head on over to our regular blog to read all about it!

...and watch this space - in a year’s time, we’ll be back to talk about our NEXT hook-in, in 2021.

Cheers!

Temperature tapestries

Head on over to our main blog to read about temperature tapestries, one of today’s presentations.

Click Here to go there!

Almost Ready!

It’s almost time for the Northumberland Rug Hookers’ Hook-In and Regional Workshops.....September 30 in Cobourg. 

It promises to be a wonderful day, whether you’re taking one of the workshops or attending the hook-in part of the festivities. There will be speakers, vendors (think fabric, patterns, linen, yarn, hook, hoops, jewellery, soaps, and probably many things you didn’t know you needed!), scissor sharpening, prizes, yummy treats, and lots of rugs to ogle. 

Check out this lovely sunburst bracelet, available at the hook-in from Rosemary of Toth Jewels

Never been to Cobourg before?  Here’s a link to our location at Grace Church, 440 King St East.  If you’ve got some time to spare, check out downtown Cobourg....several interesting shops there.

What to bring?

• A rug for display....remember there are prizes! Categories are: fine cut, wide cut and “The Heat Is On” featuring subjects that deal with weather. 
• Your hooking project to work on, or whatever materials you need to bring for your class.
• Your Lunch! Treats and goodies will be available throughout the day. We’ll break for lunch from 12 to 1:30. 
• A mug. Coffee and tea are provided

Timing this year is different than in previous years:

• If you’re attending a full day workshop, plan to arrive between 8:30 and 8:45.  That will give you time to check in at registration, get settled in your classroom and snaffle a treat before class starts at 9 am
• The half day class,  with Loretta, will start at 1:30 - so you've plenty of time to enjoy the hook-in for the morning!
• If you’re coming to the hook-in, plan to arrive between 9 and 10. Speakers will start around 10-ish. 
• If you’re a teacher or a vendor arrive any time around 8 am (coffee/tea should be ready by then!)
• We'll break for lunch between 12 and 1:30 - lots of time to eat, chat and visit the vendors....That's also when we'll do draws for prizes and tally up the votes for the display of rugs.

Looking looking forward to seeing you there!

Spaces Still Available

Greg’s ginormous cell phone!

Our registration for the Regional East Workshops at The Heat Is ON (Sept 30) has been quite successful.  All of the 4 workshops have sufficient attendees to continue, and we’re thrilled!  Having said that, however, there are still some openings available if you’re still interested.

As of today (July 29) we have space in:
- A Journey into the World of Primitive / Wide Cut with Loretta Moore - a half day (afternoon) class which means you can attend the hook-in for the morning, enjoy the camaraderie, shop, and listen to the guest speakers, AND take a workshop.
- Tangle Art with Wendie Scott Davis, full day class.
- The Heat Is ON with Susan Clarke, full day class.

Click here to read the teacher bios and workshop descriptions. 

Rookie Hooking is currently full!

To register, download and complete this registration form. It can be emailed to cobourghookin@gmail.com. Payment can be made via cheque or etransfer, but please contact us for specific instructions for etransfers. 

In other exciting news, Heartfelt Fibre Arts will be joining us as a vendor on the 30th!

Hope to see you in the 30th!

Hook-In & Regional East Workshops

Yes!  The Northumberland Rug Hookers are gearing up to host a new event: 

Cobourg Hook-in & Regional East Workshops!  

REGISTRATION FOR WORKSHOPS NOW OPEN

until July 26!

We typically host a hook in every 2 years, but this year, we're adding a series of workshops to take place at the same time as the hook-in.

Our theme for this year is THE HEAT IS ON, exploring climate change and weather patterns. 

Check out this fantastic rug by our very own Francine Birket!  It really plays into the theme for the hook-in and workshops.

Here are the details:

Hook in? Workshop? Both? Your Choice!

Hook-In: 

• $5 admission for hook-in only. 

• No pre-registration required.

• Vendors! Door Prizes! 

• Cutter/Scissor Sharpening by Chris Poole!

• Guest Speakers:   
• Alice Olsen Williams, Earth Song (indigenous quilts)
• Jennifer Wiber, Temperature Tapestry (visualizing climate data thru rug hooking)

• Bring your lunch, a completed rug for display (see categories below) and your hooking. Delicious refreshments provided.

• Display of rugs in the following categories:
• Fine Cut
• Wide Cut
• The Heat is ON (think of snow, heat, storms, wind, seasons, hot/cold colours)

☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️

Regional East Workshops:

Choose from one of the following four classes.


To register, download and print this form.  


Act NOW!  Registration will be open only until June 28, 2019.

Go Here to read the teacher bios. 

☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼

ROOKIE HOOKING - Tina Cole - 9:00-4:00 — $55



Beginner/Refresher Class - Sponsored by the Ontario Hooking Craft Guild


Want to learn the basics of rug hooking? Need a refresher? Join Tina Cole and choose one of her fabulous pumpkin patterns “with a twist” – so colourful, so creative and perfect for fall. A brief dyeing demonstration will be included.
  


Materials Fee (extra) = $60 kit for pattern 10” x 10”, including wool. 

☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼


A JOURNEY INTO THE WORLD OF PRIMITIVES/WIDE CUT - Loretta Moore - 1:30-3:30 - $30


Get a head start on the Christmas season as Loretta Moore shows you how to hook a pocket for Christmas greenery. It hooks up quickly, makes a great gift and is designed to be hung on a door.

In the class you will explore what “primitive” rug hooking means by briefly looking at design, colour, cut size and fibres. Wide cut does not necessarily mean primitive but primitive often uses a wider cut.

While the original was designed to be a pocket for greenery and hung on a door or a wall, it can also be enlarged by adding borders and made into a small pillow.

Materials Fee (extra) = $28 pattern on linen 21"x20", $50 wool uncut, $52 wool cut #8 & 6.  

☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼


TANGLE ART - Wendie Scott Davis* - 9:00-4:00 - $55


Stressed Out? Need some relaxation? “Zentangle” is the thing for you! Wendie Scott Davis will walk you through the art of “tangling” through rug hooking – calm, peaceful, no mistakes can be made.

In the morning you will practice the art of Tangling and in the afternoon you will be able to transfer your design ready for rug hooking.

*(Change in teacher from Janice Daniels)

☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼


THE HEAT IS ON - Pictorial Workshop — Susan Clarke - 9:00-4:00 - $55

Susan Clarke taps into the growing concerns about climate change through hooking stunning pictorial patterns.

Today, many Canadian artists have raised awareness about the global warming issue through beautiful and colourful pieces.

We will explore the art of two Canadian artists, one based on Ontario landscapes and the other based on Arctic landscapes.

Colour planning will be a key part of this workshop.


Patterns based on Ontario landscape, from art by Canadian artist Barbel Smith, and available from Willow Creek Rug Hooking (16” x 22”, approx.) are recommended.  Other patterns based on the Arctic landscape are available from Susan.  Click HERE to see the recommended patterns.  

Please bring your rug hooking equipment and wool for hooking.  One cutter will be available, however feel free to bring your own as there will be a lot of cutting involved!  


Materials Fee  (extra) = $65 pattern available either from Willow Creek Rug Hooking or Susan Clarke. See the recommended patterns. 




☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼