The History of Maine Rug Hooking Exhibit – Brick Store Museum

On Sunday I stopped by the The History of Maine rug hooking exhibit at the Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk. It’s no big secret around here that I LOVE rug hooking so of course I had to go check it out. 

I also want to see the exhibit because my friend Lisanne Miller {of W. Cushing Company} had oodles of her rugs and the rugs of some of her previous students on display as well.

If you’ve ever wanted to try rug hooking, Lisanne has a great YouTube channel where she talks about all the ins and outs of rug hooking.

The first part of the exhibit featured the rich history of rug hooking in Maine. Lots of antique rugs were on display as well as rug hooking tools.

Commercial patterns at the time were printed on burlap {presumably because it was plentiful and cheap}. But burlap breaks down rather easily and rots. So nowadays most rug hooking patterns are drawn on linen.

Another thing I always find fascinating when I look at older rugs are the teeny tiny cuts {strips of wool} that hookers used. If I used those same cuts in the rugs I hook, it would take me FOREVER to finish one.

I much prefer using the wider cuts of wool {known as a “primitive” cut}. It makes the hooking process go much, much quicker. 

The tools that were used in the 1800’s are pretty much the same ones being used today. I don’t know why, but that always makes me smile.

The wool cutters pretty much look the same too. Only these days you can get more than 2 strips of wool at a time.

W. Cushing and Company has been making and selling dyes since 1879. It’s pretty amazing that housewives from all over have been using not only the same dyes, but the same tools and materials for so many years.

An old ledger from W. Cushing and Company.

My favorite style of rug hooking…. Primitive!

The first part of the The History of Maine Rug Hooking Exhibit had all the antique rugs, but the second part was filled with the more primitive style rugs that I adore. 

I snapped a few pictures of my favorite ones for you to see.

I’ve had my eye on this American Clipper pattern for years now. I think I might hook this design this winter and hang it on the wall in my living room. 

This Give Thanks rug with its extra wide wool strips was another favorite. 

And I liked the red white and blue in this wishbone rug too. 

I hooked something similar to this Santa and reindeer rug last year. It’s another one of my favorites.

But my favorite rug on display at the The History of Maine Rug Hooking Exhibit was Lisanne’s giant belsnickle Santa she hooked in get this – 15 days!!! 

Santa even had a wooly wreath!!

And a sack full of toys!! 

15 days! She must have been glued to her chair. HOLY COW. It makes me want to challange myself and see what kind of rug I could hook in that short amount of time!! 🙂 

 

Whether you’re into rug hooking or not, hobbies are cool! I’m a firm believer that everyone should have a hobby. Something they love to do. 

I absolutely enjoyed this exhibit. A big thanks to Lisanne and the Brick Store Museum for hosting this exhibit of the craft I love so much.

I loved the wooly wreath Lisanne’s belsnickle Santa was holding so much that I actually signed up for the workshop! And I’m someone who has never been to a single wool related class or workshop in my life. 

The wooly wreath workshop will be held on November 18th from 5:30 – 7:30 at the Brick Store Museum if you’d like to join us. 

That’s it. That’s all I’ve got for today. 🙂 

Keep Calm and Craft On,

~Mavis