Tufting Workshop in Caldas da Rainha | Create Your Own Rug

Tufting workshop in Caldas da Rainha at Armazém-Zero,  a 4 to 5-hour hands-on rug-making session at 125 euros guided by Francisco, an illustrator and visual artist who has spent six years focusing his practice on tufting and has been running these workshops since 2022, starting in Barcelona and now based in Caldas da Rainha. You leave with a finished tufted rug of 55x45cm, the know-how to start tufting independently and a list of the best tufting shops in Europe. No prior experience needed. Minimum age 16, or 12 and over when accompanied by an adult. Pets are welcome.

The session covers every step of the tufting process: an introduction to the tools, practice time before starting your piece, choosing or creating your design, tracing it with a projector, tufting with professional cut or loop pile guns, spreading latex glue on the back, trimming with an electric trimmer and a demonstration of backing and finishing steps. The rug is professionally finished and ready for collection or free shipping in 2 to 5 days. Each ticket is valid for one person or two people sharing the gun and frame. Keep your design simple for a first tufting experience, avoiding complex patterns and thin outlines, though a bit of challenge is always welcome and designs can be simplified before tracing if needed.

What makes this workshop worth it is the combination of complete hands-on learning from gun to professional finish, total creative freedom to bring your own design or choose one on the day, professional cut and loop pile techniques using next generation equipment, and a flexible pace where you can take breaks whenever you need and work entirely at your own rhythm. Whether you are making something for your home or as a meaningful handmade gift, the result is a durable, high-quality custom rug that is entirely yours.

What you’ll learn

🧶 How to use a tufting gun for both cut and loop pile techniques
🧶 How to trace and transfer your design onto the tufting cloth using a projector
🧶 How to apply latex glue and trim your rug with an electric trimmer
🧶 Professional backing and finishing techniques demonstrated at the end

What’s included

🎨 36 available colours in acrylic yarn
🎨 All tools including tufting guns, tufting cloth, wooden frame, scissors, markers, electric trimmer, projector, latex and backing fabric
🎨 Full guidance from Francisco throughout the class
🎨 Professional finishing of your rug
🎨 Free shipping to your home or collection at the studio in 2 to 5 days
🎨 A list of the best tufting shops in Europe and tips for buying tufting materials

What to bring

A design idea if you have one, a friend to share the gun and canvas if you like, a hair tie for long hair and snacks.

What you leave with

A 55x45cm tufted rug made entirely by your own hands, the knowledge to keep tufting independently and everything you need to source your own materials and continue the practice at home.