I’ve been getting a lot of questions about how I prepare my tufted pieces for hanging and although I looove to talk about my people, I hate to admit that I actually find the finishing process a bit... boring. 🙄
Sure, there is something satisfying about turning a soft, organic shape into a ready-to-hang artwork that can live on someone’s wall. It’s just the effort of sawing, cutting and being meticulous which I don’t enjoy… At least not as much as my art practice. 😁
But as I am a giver (add angel sound please) here it is —
6 easy(ish) steps to prepare an irregular shaped tufted rug for hanging:
1. Gluing the back
The first step is making sure every single thread is securely in place. I spread a generous, even layer of glue across the entire back of the tuft. It seeps gently into the fibers and, when it dries, creates a sturdy surface that locks the yarn in. This step is essential — it keeps the texture lively on the front while making sure nothing ever unravels.
This part I actually do enjoy! 😁 There’s always something meditative about the slow brushstrokes, the quiet patience while it sets.
2. Cutting the custom hardboard
Once the glue has fully dried, I take the tuft off its frame and cut the fabric very close to the edges. I then trace the shape of the tuft onto a piece of hardboard and cut (or saw) it out. — I don’t love this part, as you can see below... The board is tough, the shapes are never straightforward, and my hands always need a good stretch afterwards. 😅
Over time, I’ve learned that making the hardboard just slightly smaller than the tuft gives the final piece a more polished look.
3. Adding hangers and wire
Next, I prepare the hardboard for hanging. I make small holes near the top edge and attach two sturdy hangers. Then I thread a wire between them, tightening it enough to support the weight but leaving a bit of flexibility for adjustment. I like using wire because it makes hanging easy and forgiving — you can slightly shift the piece on the wall until it feels perfectly balanced.
4. Covering the backing
For a neat, polished finish, glue a piece of felt fabric onto the pre-cut cardboard backing and fold it over the hard board edges. Then, carefully cut small holes in the felt to thread the hangers through. This extra step helps the tufted artwork look clean and well-finished on both sides.
5. Attaching the backing to the tuft
With the hardboard ready, I glue the back of the tuft to the newly cut hardboard and leave it to dry under gentle weight. Once it’s secure, I turn the whole piece over and staple the tuft carefully to the board along the edges for extra durability. Stapling is fun! 🤠
6. Hanging and enjoying
And that’s it, folks! Once the glue has cured, the tuft is ready to hang. Woop! I always love this moment — I’m finally done!
So when you get your tuft, just hang and let your sound-absorbing new friend soak up the light, show off her texture, and live her best tufted life. 💛
I’m always happy to share more of my process, so if there’s a particular part of tufting you’d like me to talk about next — stretching, trimming, color blending — just hit reply and let me know.