Punch Needle Mug Rug Craft Workshop

Tiger Lily Tufts are running a punch needle mug rug workshop at Hotwalls Studios in Old Portsmouth on Saturday 11 July, from 3pm to 6pm. It's a beginner-friendly session, so you don't need any prior experience to join in. Over the three hours, you'll learn how to use a punch needle to create a tufted mug rug using your own design, with templates on hand if you're not sure where to start. Once the tufting is done, you'll use a glue gun to finish it and back it with felt, and you'll take the finished piece home the same day.

If you're new to it, there's a bit of advice to keep in mind: beginners are encouraged to stick to a circular or simple shape and limit their palette to four or five colours. It's a good way to get the hang of the technique without overcomplicating things on your first go.

The workshop is held in Studio 2 at Hotwalls Studios, which is part of a creative quarter housed in the historic Round Tower and the old arches at Point Battery. These arches were once a defence against invasion; they were transformed by Portsmouth City Council in 2014 and now host local artists, designers, and makers across thirteen studios, with The Canteen, a deli-style café, on site as well. The session is open to ages 14 and up, and places are limited to six people per workshop.

If the 11 July date doesn't work, there are a few more coming up: Sunday 2 August (10am-1pm), Tuesday 11 August (5-8pm), and Saturday 19 September (3-6pm). Each one costs £32 per person.