There is a particular satisfaction in spending four hours making something with your hands and leaving with it under your arm. At La Celva Studio, our tufting workshop in Lisbon gives you exactly that: a guided, hands-on session where you design, tuft and finish your own textile piece up to 35x45cm, in a creative space that blends visual arts, experimentation and the simple pleasure of making something together. We welcome all ages and skill levels, whether you are coming solo, with a partner, or as part of an intergenerational group.
We cover the full tufting process from start to finish. You begin with the basics of punch needle and manual tools before moving into an introduction to both the AK-I cut pile and AK-II loop pile electric tufting machines. Once you have set up your materials and learned how to operate the gun, we move into practical demonstration and exercises, tracing your design onto the frame and working through the tufting method at your own pace. The session closes with the finishing process, where your piece comes together as a complete, ready-to-take-home textile work. Backing is applied after the session and finished pieces are posted within a week.
🧵 The basics of punch needle and manual tufting tools
🧵 How to set up and operate both cut pile and loop pile electric tufting machines
🧵 How to trace and transfer your design onto the frame
🧵 The tufting method from first pass to finished surface
🧵 How to finish and back a tufted piece professionally
🪡 All materials and equipment required for your tufted piece
🪡 Full guidance throughout the session from our studio team
🪡 A suppliers list and tips for continuing at home after the workshop
🪡 Your finished tufted piece up to 35x45cm to take home
🪡 A coffee break during the session
Your own finished tufted textile piece, backed and ready to display, posted to you within a week of the session.
At La Celva Studio we believe making things together is one of the most direct ways to connect, experiment and discover what you are capable of. Our workshops are designed to be genuinely accessible, technically thorough and creatively open, so every participant leaves with both a finished piece and the knowledge to keep going at home.
Suitable for participants aged 14 and over. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own design or choose from our provided options; keep designs simple with up to 4 to 5 colours and send them 48 hours in advance via email or Instagram at @la celva. Wear comfortable clothes you do not mind getting yarn on.
No tufting experience needed. The machines look intimidating for about ten minutes and then everything clicks into place.
Absolutely, you can totally craft a rug with your own unique design! Please send us your design to lacelvarugs@gmail.com or via instagram to @la_ _celva to submit your tufting idea at least 48 hours before the workshop. This enables us to discuss the doability of your chosen idea in advance, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience. And before you make your final design call, be sure to check out our Tufting Tips for some handy tips!
After we're done with the finishing touches, we can either send it your way or you can choose a date to swing by and pick it up. Delivery fee is included.
In the Tufting Workshop, your fee covers all the tufting principles and beginners exercices up to 50 yarn colours, a tufting gun, and all necessary tools. You’ll receive step-by-step guidance and take home your finished rug.
Start Simple: If you’re new to tufting, begin with a simple design. Basic shapes and patterns are easier to execute and will help you get comfortable with the technique. Contrast and Color: Choose designs with good contrast between the background and foreground. This helps the design stand out and ensures your colors pop. Size and Scale: Consider the size of your tufting frame when selecting a design. Ensure the design fits well within the frame and isn’t too detailed or complex for the size of the rug. Bold Lines and Shapes: Designs with bold lines and clear shapes translate well into tufting. Intricate details might be challenging to achieve, especially for beginners. Use a Template: Create or find a template for your design. This can be a simple sketch or a digital image that you can print and transfer onto your tufting frame.
If you need to cancel, please provide at least 3 business days notice. Refunds will be processed within 7 working days. Kindly note that deposits are non-refundable for cancellations made with less than 3 business days notice. Thank you for your understanding!
Yes! We offer private sessions and group bookings for special occasions or team-building events. Please contact us directly via email at lacelvarugs@gmail.com or via instagram to @la_ _celva for more details and availability.
We recommend wearing comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting a bit messy. Although tufting isn’t particularly messy, it’s always a good idea to dress comfortably for a creative session.
To ensure the comfort and safety of all our guests, we kindly request that you refrain from inviting individuals who are not participating in the workshop. We do special prices for more than one attendee. Please get in touch. Thank you for your understanding 🙏
To keep things safe, we're happy to have attendees who are 14 or older accompanied by an adult since you'll be handling the tufting machines during the workshop.
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La Celva Studio is a creative space focused on contemporary textile practices, where participants explore tufting—a technique combining manual skill, design, and image-making through thread. Workshops guide each participant from its history, its manual version, to design and to finished piece, fostering creativity, technical skill, and a hands-on understanding of the process. Sessions are adaptable, welcoming individuals, small groups, or intergenerational participants, and can be integrated into community events or ongoing programs.
Alongside tufting, the studio engages with broader visual arts practices such as drawing, painting, and textile experimentation, encouraging exploration, dialogue, and collaboration. By bridging artistic practice with participatory learning, La Celva Studio offers a space for both personal expression and community connection.
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