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Rug Braiders International
formerly known as the Valley Forge Rug Braiding Guild
Online Classes
Classes from "beginner" to "advanced" are available for rug braiders via Zoom.
Scroll down to see all the class options!
Classes are $5 off for members (see coupon under "Members Only" tab's info).
Classes range from one-time events... to weekly sessions with Homework!
Payment options: Paypal, Credit Card, or Check/Money Order (US only).
Beginner Classes
Beginner Rug Braiding:
2' X 3' Continuous Oval Rug
Instructor: Mary Hibbard
Description: This 5 session course over Zoom will teach you the basics of continuous rug braiding. We’ll talk about wool preparation and color planning. You’ll learn how to start a rug, braid, make a “hairpin” turn for that first corner, lace your rug, skip loops to shape the curved ends of the oval, how and where to change colors, and how to finish the rug with a taper. The skills you learn will enable you to make any size oval rug from a table mat to a large living room rug!
All classes are recorded and available for repeat viewing for one year.
Class Dates:
Sundays at 2 pm EST over Zoom:
Course #2: Jan 5, 12, 19, 26, & Feb 2, 2025
Course #3: Feb 9, 16, 23, & Mar 2, 9, 2025
Course #4: Mar 16, 23, 30, & April 6, 13, 2025
Cost: $80 for 5 sessions (recorded for later viewing).
NEWS FLASH -- as of today, there are up to 12 scholarships for half the cost of the course available to guild members, starting with the February 9 Beginner Course!!! Use the coupon: "Beginner40" -- must be a guild member first. Cannot be used with the $5 off coupon for members.
Supplies needed: 5-6 yards of wool fabric of a mix of colors and patterns; basic rug braiding tools and sewing supplies. See “More Info” for a detailed list and suppliers.
Prerequisites: None!
Folds: Left Opening Folds
Instructor experience: Mary took her first braiding class 12 years ago at New England Braids in Methuen, MA. Since that time she has attended many braiding events and taken classes to advance her skills. Mary has been teaching beginning rug braiding via zoom and at the Valley Forge Rug Braiding Conferences for several years.
Class Dates: Sundays at 2 pm EST over Zoom
Click links below to register
Course #1: Oct 20, 27, & Nov 3, 10 and 17, 2024
Course #2: Jan 5, 12, 19, 26, & Feb 2, 2025
Intermediate Classes
Braided Frames to Rug Hooking/Punching
Instructor: Kris McDermet --- CLASS IS FULL
Description: This 2-session course over Zoom will teach you how to finish your rug hooking, punching, or other needlework so that it is ready for attaching braids, then how to add a braided row as a beautiful frame for your piece!
All classes are recorded and available for repeat viewing for one year.
Class Dates: Tuesdays at 5:30 pm EST over Zoom: March 11 and 18, 2025
Cost: $50 for 2 sessions (recorded for later viewing).
Supplies needed: A rug-hooked or rug-punched or needlework piece, either 7" round or 5" X 7" oval. Instructor will send a list of other supplies when you register.
Braid Level: Intermediate: Must know how to butt braids by any method. (See butt classes offered through the guild, if needed).
Folds: Left Opening Folds
Instructor: Kris McDermet is an award-winning teacher and artist. She is known for her art pieces combining braiding, rug hooking, felting, quilling, and techology (lighting, sound). See her work at: https://www.krismcdermet.com/
CLASS IS FULL
Advanced
Teacher Classes
NOTE: if you have an idea for a class that you would like to take OR teach, please email Christine Manges, the Education Chair. If you would like private lessons over Zoom in a technique, also email the Education Chair.​
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