Mat Hooking in Labrador

[xthetombraiderx]

Even though there is no audio, this is the best video for rug hooking that I have found so far! I can actually see what you are doing and I feel like I can do it myself. Thank you!

I would like to make a rug for my floor and I was wondering how this technique holds up against vacuums. Do you recommend applying a thin layer of glue to the back of the rug to keep the stitches in place? Thanks!

[lacvoices]

The stitches hold up fairly well, but the fabric eventually wears. The fabric in each hole of the burlap (brin) pushes against all the others and makes a very tight stitch when the rug is finished.

I wouldn't put it in a high traffic area and might shake it out rather than vacuum it. In Labrador in the 19th and early 20th century rugs were put on the floor and did eventually wear out. For high traffic areas like the kitchen, a painted canvas floorcloth was used.

[lacvoices]

Painted in a pattern similar to the old rugs, with a floral pattern in the centre, and scrolls in the corners, the painted floorcloth was varnished 7 or 8 times to give it a high gloss and make it easy to clean. Nowadays rug hooking is considered more of an art form and landscapes and scenes of traditional life - dog teams, polar bears, old houses with clothes on the line are popular. The rugs are smaller and are put up on the wall. But that's here. Have fun with it.

[bozomahoney]

wow thank you.....i'm from Saskatchewan and want to keep the tradition going....my grandparents are from quebec and they taught my dad to make his own rugs as a child. they are absolutely beautiful....!!!!

[bozomahoney]

how do you prevent the fabric from going back underneath????

[lacvoices]

The wool, or fabric, is held in place by the weave of the burlap. Here in Labrador mat hookers use Scottish Brin that has a tighter weave than some burlap and is better for finer wools and thinner fabric strips.

[gunnastar]

Many thanks, you showed me everything I needed to know!

[fishgirl0001]

Nice video demonstrating the technique but it would be nice to have an audio explanation of what you are doing for people that have no idea what rug hooking is.