Tufting Workshop at the Condé School of Applied Arts: Patterns and Diversion

The Condé School of Applied Arts in Nice invited us to lead a tufting workshop on the theme of "Wefts and Diversion." For three days, 19 students explored this textile technique through a unique creative challenge: take an everyday object and reinvent it using the tufting gun .

Day 1: Discovery and Design

The first day was devoted to an introduction to tufting : its history, techniques, and artistic potential. Divided into five groups, the students chose an object to repurpose, either brought in or found on site. Moodboards, sketches, and drafts then allowed them to explore the possible interactions between the object and tufting. How can its function be modified? How can textures be played with?

These questions guided the creation of the concepts, laying the foundations for the projects.

Day 2: First tests and tufting

The introduction to the practice began with the installation of the frames and the setting up of the canvas . After a demonstration of the safety rules and the techniques for handling the tufting gun, each group started experimenting: Transferring the patterns onto the canvas, Tufting of the first shapes, Adjustments and texture tests.

Each step was an experiment , between mixing threads, superpositions and variations in height.

Day 3: Finishing and assembly

The last day was dedicated to finishing and assembly . We presented the techniques for finalizing the pieces according to their use:

• Making the outlines with a carpet mower

• Assembly on different supports (cardboard, wood, textile)

• Fixing and reinforcing structures

Finally, each group presented their project, sharing their challenges and discoveries.

Unique and bold creations

After three days of intensive work, the results were impressive: A tufted bag, a revisited lampshade, a transformed stool, a textured book and a hukulele.

Each object expresses a reflection on tufting and the transformation of everyday objects. Some are functional, others sculptural, but all reflect a unique artistic exploration.

And you, what object would you like to tuft?

This workshop showed how much the Tufting is a rich and accessible technique, perfect for experimenting and reinventing your environment. Give it a try too! What object would you like to transform using tufting? Tell us in the comments!