The essential equipment
No need to get everything right away! Discover the essential equipment for making your first rug, along with accessories to add as you develop your tufting skills.
Beginner’s Guide
I'm a beginner
I'm a beginner
in tufting
Tufting is a technique that involves inserting wool yarn into a stretched canvas using an electric tufting gun. After drawing the design, you fill in the different areas of color, apply glue to the back of the canvas, then trim the edges to bring a unique, personalized rug to life.
How does it work, exactly?
Five steps to make your first 60 cm × 60 cm rug. No experience needed: just a little creativity, patience, and a weekend!
01
The canvas and the pattern
Stretch the fabric over a frame, then draw the design on it with a marker, reversing it if necessary.
30 min to 45 min
02
The equipment
We choose the yarn colors, prepare the bobbins, and thread the tufting gun before doing a few test runs.
20 to 30 min
03
Tufting
Using the tufting gun, insert the yarn into the fabric, starting with the outlines before filling in the design.
4 to 7 hours
04
Gluing
We apply a layer of glue to the back of the rug to secure the yarn, then let it dry before removing the fabric from the frame.
15 min + 4 to 12 hours of drying
05
The finishing touch
We use a trimmer to refine the design, then cut around the edges and glue a backing fabric to the back of the rug.
2 to 4 hoursYour first tufting creations
Discover what you can create with your very first rugs, through the work of passionate beginners.
ESSENTIAL FROM THE START
The tufting gunstarting at € 187,00
The central tool for tufting. Without it, it’s impossible to create on the canvas. The model you choose determines the finish (cut, loop, or both).
Thread the needle€ 4,00
Essential for threading yarn through the tufting gun needle.
A tufting frame€ 74,99
The fabric must be stretched so the needle can pass through properly. Without a frame, the yarn won’t hold, and the design will warp.
Allow 15 cm of margin all around the design for tension.
Primary fabricstarting at € 7.99
This is the backing into which the needle inserts the yarn. Without primary cloth, nothing can be tufted.
The secondary canvasstarting at € 7.99
Glued to the back, it protects the threads and gives the piece a clean finish.
Wool conesfrom € 9.99
The raw material. Acrylic is recommended for beginners: it feeds more smoothly through the machine and costs less than New Zealand wool.
Gluefrom € 15.90
Applied to the back of the rug after tufting, it secures each loop in the primary fabric and prevents the yarn from unraveling.
IDEAL BUT NOT ESSENTIAL
Clipper kit with guide€ 83,99
Ideal for evening out the pile height after tufting and achieving a clean, crisp finish. Not essential for beginners, but it makes a real difference to the final result.
Tufting brush€ 7,99
Lift and fluff the fibers after trimming to fully reveal the rug’s finished look. A small touch that makes a big difference to the piece’s appearance.
Bobbin winder€ 14,99
Makes it easy to wind yarn into cones suited to the tufting gun, preventing knots and interruptions while tufting.
Pelican scissors€ 14,99
Their curved blade makes it easier to trim the rug’s outline close to the backing fabric, for a neat finish without damaging the loops.
Our kits to get started properly
Everything you need to make your first rug, without forgetting a thing. Carefully prepared at our warehouse in Nice, our kits bring together the essential supplies to get you started with tufting with confidence.
Start tufting
To see if you enjoy tufting without committing to the cost of a complete workshop.
€ 279,99€ 320,00
- €40.01 compared with buying separately
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
- Choice of tufting gun (AK-I CUT, AK-II LOOP or AK DUO)
- 1 m² of tufting cloth
- 1 m² of finishing fabric
- 70 x 70 cm or 90 × 90 cm wooden frame (kit)
- Yarn threader
- Two clamps
- Online documentation
INTERMEDIATE KIT
Intermediate AK-DUO Kit
The most chosenThe setup the workshop recommends: cut and loop, an adjustable frame, everything you need to keep projects going.
€ 446,00
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
- AK-DUO tufting gun (2-in-1 CUT & LOOP)
- 70 × 70 or 90 × 90 cm tufting frame, your choice
- White fabric with yellow lines, 4 m × 1 m
- Finishing fabric, 4 m × 1 m
- Finishing trimmer
- Trimmer guide
- Needle threader
- Pelican scissors
- Two clamps
- Online documentation
INTERMEDIATE KIT
Intermediate kit AK-V CUT
The most chosenAll-in-one kit with the quiet, precise AK-V gun. All tools included to get started right away (glue and yarn not included)
€ 484,00
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
- AK-V tufting gun (digital display + LED)
- Tufting frame, 70×70 or 90×90 cm, your choice
- White fabric with yellow lines, 4 m × 1 m
- Finishing fabric, 4 m × 1 m
- Finishing trimmer
- Trimmer guide
- Needle threader
- Pelican scissors
- Two clamps
- Online documentation
They do tufting.
Discover passionate creators who share their projects, tips, and expertise to inspire you in your first creations.
Instagram
Guillaume Neves - Paolo Workshop
@atelierpaoloAtelier Paolo is Guillaume Neves, a Bordeaux-based creator of handmade tufted rugs and objects, author of the book “Tufting,” and workshop instructor.
Instagram
Clotilde Puy
@clotilde.puyClotilde Puy, Parisian textile artist specializing in tufting: colorful rugs and cushions filled with cute animals and creatures, trained at Lesage.
Instagram
Adam the Conductor
@adam_le_conducteurAdam the Driver, aka Luca: tufted wool rugs and mirrors, with flower, car, geek, and animal themes.
Instagram
Cléa Delogu - Lala Tufting
@lala.touffeCléa Delogu, aka Lala Touffe: Paris-based creator of custom tufted rugs with psychedelic, groovy designs, made in France.
Instagram
Mirte van Kooten - studiomirte
@studiomirteMirte van Kooten, also known as Studio Mirte: a textile artist based in Utrecht, creating rugs and colorful wall hangings with playful, cozy designs, made in the Netherlands.
Instagram
Manon Daviet
@manondavietManon Daviet, a graduate of École Duperré, is a Parisian textile artist who creates colorful, nature-inspired wall tapestries using knitting, crochet, and tufting.
Instagram
Fanny Godefroid - the girl of April
@la.fille.davrilFanny Godefroid, alias La fille d'avril, a Belgian textile designer trained at ERG and then at the Brussels Academy of Fine Arts, creates tufted rugs and wall tapestries from her studio in Ixelles.
Instagram
Faustine de Longueil
@faustinedelongueilFaustine de Longueil, a former art director, is a Parisian textile artist who hand-tufts rugs conceived as works of art, to be placed on the floor or hung on the wall.
Frequently asked questions about tufting
Everything you need to know before you start making your first rug.
Is tufting accessible to beginners?
Yes! No experience is necessary. With the right materials and a little practice, you can make your first rug in just a few hours.
What equipment do you need to get started with tufting?
To get started, you’ll need a tufting gun, a frame, monk’s cloth, yarn, carpet adhesive, and a yarn threader. A trimmer and finishing fabric will then help you put the finishing touches on your creation.
How long does it take to make your first rug?
Allow approximately 6 to 11 hours of work for your first 60 × 60 cm rug, plus 12 to 24 hours for the glue to dry. The time varies depending on your pace and the complexity of the design.
Which yarn should I choose to start tufting?
Acrylic yarn is ideal for beginners and for practice. New Zealand wool, meanwhile, offers greater wear resistance and is particularly suitable for rugs intended for high-traffic areas.
Can you create any design with tufting?
Almost! Geometric shapes, flowers, characters, or abstract patterns: the possibilities are endless. For your first rug, choose a simple design with large areas of color and few details.
How much does the equipment cost to get started with tufting?
The budget depends on the equipment and accessories you choose. Expect to spend around €500 on a complete kit with everything you need to make your first rug.
Why does my fabric tear while tufting?
Insufficiently stretched fabric, an incorrect gun angle, or excessive pressure can cause tears. Check the tension of your fabric and keep the gun perpendicular to it.
Can you create anything other than rugs with tufting?
Of course! Tufting can also be used to make wall decorations, tufted mirrors, cushions, or custom textile creations. The possibilities are endless!
What is the difference between a Cut and a Cut & Loop gun?
The Cut gun cuts the yarn to create a soft, plush rug. The Cut & Loop lets you alternate between cut pile (Cut) and uncut loops (Loop), adding varied textures and dimension to your creations.
Which gun should you choose to get started: AK-1 Cut or AK-V?
The AK-1 Cut is ideal for making your first rugs. The AK-V is its improved version: it has an LED light to help you see your lines better while tufting and a quieter motor for more comfortable work.