Rug Hooking with Fancy Fibers

Wool may be the basis of most hooked rugs, but well-known designer and teacher Gail Dufresne shows rug hookers how to use all sorts of alternative fibers in their projects in Rug Hooking with Fancy Fibers. Dufresne teaches readers how to jazz up the background; how to use alternate fibers, such as sari silk, Crepe de Chine, silk brocade, silk yardage, velvet, cotton, and spandex; how to add embellishments, such as beads, buckles, sequines, zips, shells, and semi-precious stones; how to combine rug hooking techniques, such as sculpting, prodding, braiding, punch needle, quilling, and shirring; and where to look for rug hooking inspiration. Unusual materials, unexpected shapes, and surprising tricks can make a hooked piece of art suitable for display on your wall or the wall of a gallery. Lavishly illustrated with Dufresne's own rugs and the works of other contemporary artists, this book will inspire you to look beyond your wool stash.