When we first introduced tufting, our intention was simple: we wanted people to discover a new medium, especially within the world of yarn. We hoped others could experience the same joy, curiosity, and fun we felt while tufting. That was our story! but little did we know, tufting would also spark other people's stories. We've always known that art has always been a way to tell stories, but sometimes we forget how a tufting piece can reflect even the most trivial things and stories about someone.
Here's the thing about tufting.. the process isn't exactly super-fast. Once you get the hang of it, your hands will start working automatically, almost like switching into autopilot. And when the autopilot mode turns on, the stories from tufties start flowing too during the long times. Some people will start rambling on how they're tufting their own brand logo that they treat like their own kid. Some choose their favorite character from elementary school. Some bring the face of their beloved pet. Sometimes, it's the food they often eat with someone special that becomes their favorite food. In our early days, a tuftie came in with a design of their son. Somehow, those rugs turn into more than a tufting piece, but a way to hold onto a moment.
Two girls once came to make cushions together as a little girls' day out. They made a tufted fluffy cushion together for each other's significant other as anniversary gifts. Turns out they had the same anniversary date! And not all stories came from locals. One of our tufties, Mike, visited from Singapore. While traveling, he imagined creating something personal to bring home, and that thought led him to us. He made a keepsake he could bring back as part of his travel.
What excites us the most is also the fact that sometimes, the story doesn't lie in the artwork itself, but also in the moment it is created: a first date, a birthday surprise, a reunion, a sisters day out.. and the list goes on. Sometimes, the stories are told, sometimes they are witnessed, sometimes they are kept, but most importantly, they are felt. If you're one of our tufties who have carried your stories into our space, thank you for tufting a piece of your heart with us!
P.S We keep a little corner on Instagram called Tufties’ Stories. Click here to find out about the latest story!