East Coast Rug Hooking Designs

Rug-hooking began long ago as a practical solution to the drafty floors in North American settlers' houses. From those humble beginnings, the craft has evolved into a highly respected art form, and many who have seen the vibrant rugs created by Atlantic Canadians are inspired to take up the hook themselves. In East Coast Rug-Hooking Designs, master rug-hooker Deanne Fitzpatrick explores and explains the art she loves. Photographs of her colourful hooked rugs are accompanied by her frank and touching stories of life in Atlantic Canada-the life that inspires so many of her designs. From hooking and gathering fabric, to choosing colours, designing, and binding, the entire process is clearly explained. Over thirty playful and dynamic patterns are included-some suitable for beginners, and some that will challenge even experienced hookers. Whatever your level of expertise, this book will surely have you hooked! Rug-hooking artist Deanne Fitzpatrick is renowned worldwide for her stunning rugs and patterns. Her work is in permanent exhibits at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and the Canadian Museum of Civilization, among others, and she has made frequent radio and television appearances, including on CBC's Land and Sea. She lives in Amherst, Nova Scotia.

With over two decades of experience as a rug-hooker, studio-owner, and teacher, celebrated fabric artist Deanne Fitzpatrick introduces readers to the possibilities of modern rug-hooking design. Rug-hookers of all levels will find Fitzpatrick's instructional narratives and step-by-step methods for creating everything from themed rugs to pillows to ornaments an accessible and inspirational introduction to the craft. Tips and techniques such as how to choose and dye your own materials, achieving texture and shape, transferring patterns, outlining and blending, finding inspiration, and cultivating your creative process to develop an authentic style are interspersed with passages on the author's artistic process. Features over 100 colour photographs of Fitzpatrick's own projects and techniques, providing readers with reference points for turning their own experiences into gorgeous rug-hooked art.

A much needed source book for anyone wanting to know the history and the craft of rug hooking. Includes illustrations of techniques and materials and methods. This book is a tribute to those who kept the craft alive over the years.

This book features original designs and motifs, inspired by the long traditions of the craft Canadian rug hooker Deanne Fitzpatrick presents a collection of colorful, whimsical designs for welcome mats, area rugs, chair pads, and other decorative household items. Inspired by the seascape, the people, and the long rug-making traditions of the communities of the Atlantic coast, Deanne has adapted some of her favorite motifs to create practical, pictorial hooked canvases-Kissing Fish welcome mat, Old Rose oval rug, Coastal House chair pads, Dancing Women rug, and more. She provides the basic hooking instructions and tips on choosing the right backing (burlap or linen), gathering fabric (silks, wools, velvets-or just about anything else you can cut into strips), and binding the edges. She also provides templates for each of the 33 projects and instructions on transferring and positioning the motifs. Scattered throughout the book are inspiring photographs of Fitzpatrick's many award-winning rugs, her stories of traditions that inspire her work, and insider's tips for shortcuts and techniques. The whimsical, folk-art-style designs range from simple to more complex and will appeal both to beginners and experienced rug hookers. The technique is simple, and the materials are few and easy to find.

Working from twenty years' experience as a rug hooker, studio owner, and teacher, Deanne Fitzpatrick shares her sources of inspiration, work habits, ideas about creativity and design, and helpful guidelines for creating beautiful, expressive rugs. Practical suggestions for hooking houses, landscapes, seasons, stories, and people are accompanied by the artist's insight into tapping creativity and learning how to make art from life. Tips for choosing colours, experimenting with texture, preparing a backing, transferring a design, and achieving realistic depictions are interspersed with passages on artistic inspiration and process. Best of all, over 80 striking colour photographs of the author's own projects and techniques provide readers with excellent reference points for turning their own experiences into magnificent rugs.

Secrets Of Planning & Designing Hand-Hooked Rugs is a Stackpole Books publication.

"This book's most outstanding feature is the section of colorful patterns for making one's own hooked rugs. A gallery of exemplary hooked rugs by artists offers inspiration...Recommended."--"Library Journal." "Rug hookers of any level of experience will no doubt find something here that will inform and challenge them."--"McCall's Needlework."

* Design elements every rug hooker should know