RUG TUFTING Backing FABRIC Review | Primary Backing Fabric vs Monks Cloth vs Burlap

[@SamMadeThat]

A NOTE ABOUT BURLAP - While burlap is the most cost effective and easy to find I’ve seen concerns raised about its longevity. After further testing I’ve found BURLAP FRAYS AND DEGRADES EASILY WHEN EXPOSED TO MOISTURE AND HEAVY USE. As such I would only use burlap for practice/test pieces and avoid using it for any retail rug making. Sam 💕

[@vickistone3700]

when you slap on the latex, the base material doesn't really mater

[@ghost-fs7th]

If it was just hung on the wall, would it be okay?

[@devintheartkid]

hi new to your channel. love your videos! question, where did you get the hanger for your spray cans?

[@AP-uc7oz]

@@ghost-fs7th absolutely

[@AP-uc7oz]

But with a good glue it shouldn’t matter, right? Even if the burlap somehow frayed, the yarn wouldn’t move due to proper gluing with a Hardy substance

[@annieacul5475]

This is one of the best tutorials I've ever seen. The quality, her honesty, her character. I would trust this woman with all my life choices😩

[@SamMadeThat]

Lol thank you😂

[@JojosCraftyLove]

Second that!! 😆

[@Brunstern]

This is definitely the most generous and altruistic gesture! Thanks Sam! The beginners (and no so…) are so grateful for this transparent and pretty specific video about the best fabric to use.

[@pamelaelgergi4458]

Im new to tufting and I use monk’s cloth and I thought there was something wrong with me because of the white fibers that were coming through. This review was SO helpful! I do buy monk’s cloth because it’s easier to just buy in person with my yarn, but I 100% want to switch to PTC now

[@tayfan2]

Great video. I'm late watching this. The Joanne's "Monks Cloth" is actually a Swedish weaving Afghan cloth similar to Houck cloth. According to forums, it is NOT recommended for rug tufting. Rug tufting "monks cloth" is always the lined cloth you refer to as "primary backing fabric". Also according to some research, although burlap or Hessian is more affordable it should not get wet. Water will break down the burlap. I see these beautiful rugs tufted on burlap then think, "boy, if the customer ever decides to steam or hose these rugs down it will pretty much destroy it over time". The happy place seems to be the Primary Backing Fabric. .

[@SamMadeThat]

Thanks! That’s what I thought too but I saw just as many people who swear that’s all they use. And yes I have since seen that that’s an issue with burlap, I’ll be washing the swatches in a later video to see how much it breaks down. I personally still stick to primary tufting cloth.

[@shimeekastanley4162]

Thank you for the video! I just started tufting and I chose to use monks cloth because everyone was always hyping it up., but when I started tufting I had those same problems you experienced. I thought it was because I was doing something wrong but I guess not! After watching this i'll definitely try burlap or the tufting material!

[@SamMadeThat]

Yes! I had such high hopes for it but ended up hating it so so much

[@8CountLife]

I was the exact same way with the monks cloth. But it's what I've mainly used and thought I needed. It's crazy what you get used to because you don't know differently.

[@JojosCraftyLove]

Monks cloth is also the most expensive here in Australia so I am glad the cheaper options are more readily available! Now I just need to get myself the gun... Cut or loop. Tough decision as I can't have both at once! >

[@DOLINHAPAULA]

@@JojosCraftyLove aí tem o site shopee?vi lá q tem opção de 2 em um,a mesma máquina,só troca a tesoura

[@Human-dn1jg]

It sucks that I ordered 5 meters(we don't use yards around here lol) of monk's cloth. I haven't got a tufting gun yet but I am using the punch needle. I have tried monk's cloth and experienced the tension issue as well as the white threads coming out. I don't know about the guns but when I use the punch needle, I can feel where I am punching it at and I guess I kinda know when will the threads come out. My question is how do you take out the white threads once the pieces are done? When you have fabric around them, its quite difficult since it comes out of the backing material itself. I did order some BURLAP to try on. I shall see how if holds up. I was kinda thinking to use BURLAP for wall decors and stuff. I just wish I had seen this vid earlier. PTC is out of my league around here! Its expensive and not even properly available. I was just thinking I can upgrade tk the gun once I am experienced with the punch needle. HELP WITH THE WHITE THREADS! 😭

[@DavidPortera]

Great videos! I think I said it before, but I’ll say it again- your videos have high production value. They contain a lot of excellent information and are well edited. Thank you Sam!

[@SamMadeThat]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@DoingRadShi]

Probably watched this video about 10 times but the courier confirmed to be delivering my gun today and I have a 10m roll of Hessian/Burlap. Gonna take it super slow at first, hope the burlap doesnt disappoint. After about a month and a half (since i bought the gun anyway, been viewing for about 3 months) of researching and watching as many videos as possible i'll finally be starting my journey. Kudos to you and TugsRugs, you guys had me in love with tufting.

[@howlingwind1937]

My mother made carpets using hessian (burlap), and those carpets are over 60yrs old and still wearing well. When finished she over sewed the edges and she didn't put backing or glue on them. She also made proggy rugs by recycling hessian (burlap) flower sacks when she couldn't by new hessian. Thanks for the video it was very interesting.

[@SamMadeThat]

Do you know what method she used. That sounds like maybe it was latch hooking which doesn’t need to be glued since the fibers are knotted. And sewing the edges would certainly help stop any fraying!

[@howlingwind1937]

@@SamMadeThat no it wasn't a latch hook that she used, it was more like a large metal crochet hook only it was pointy to make it go through the hessian smoother. She'd use recycled clothing invariably our hand me downs. By the time the last child had grown out of it it was really only fit for putting into the rug. She'd poke the hook through from the front and have the woollen fabric under the hessian and then hook it and pull a loop though, kind of like the loop gun you have only manual, and instead of yarn she used strips of woollen fabric. After it was done, She'd take it outside and wet it with soapy water and we'd be enlisted to slide over it with our bare feet, and this felted all the fibres into to hessian and tightened it up because it shrank a little, they were hung over the fence then till they dried, this was usually done in summer to make sure it dried. There wasn't the electric tufting guns available then, or certainly none that my mother knew of, but it was a lovely winter craft she did, we'd sit under the growing carpet in front of the open fire, and pass her more bits of cut up woollen strips. The carpets or rugs were very colourful as it was just progged randomly and brightened up the room and very warm under foot.

[@jezzi41896]

I’ve always used burlap to punch needle but just recently bought a tufting gun & was scared it wasnt going to work. Thanks for testing it out & showing us the difference of all the fabrics!!

[@Zfly97]

I started out using a punch needle and burlap but I’ve been holding out on using my gun mainly because people would say burlap isn’t the most reliable , causing tears and what not, but this definitely gave me the information I needed to get things going!!

[@Sarah2ill]

Thanks for using My music again!! Love this video!!

[@SamMadeThat]

You’re at the top of my list every time! Thank you! ❤️

[@melanie_meanders]

Love this video, so informative! I don’t have my machine yet, but I use monks cloth for punch needle, and for it to retain proper tension it needs to be washed first! Maybe it’s worth another try? I plan to use primary backing fabric for my machine tufted rugs in the future though, I think a synthetic fibre will be more resistant to floor use, but for a wall hanging i imagine it wouldn’t matter.

[@BlueEyeSurprise]

I personally haven’t made a rug yet so take what I’m about to say “loosely” lol. When you were experiencing the monks cloths tension loosen as you were tufting it, I think a big reason why you had to continue tightening it was because when the monks cloth was being sliced by the tufting scissors it cut the tension from the tight pull you had on it. I’m still watching while writing so I’m not sure if you touched on this later in the video. I wanted to be sure to mention that. Thank you so much for making this video, it’s been very informational and helpful.

[@annsmith3985]

As a beginner to tufting. This is one the best tutorial video I’ve watch and you explain it very well. Thank you!!

[@mancot17]

I also use burlap. Never used the other more expansive fabrics. It's very good when you're on a budget. Sometimes you just need a little more specific technique for burlap than other fabrics, but it works perfect

[@scratchthat1000]

I've been using burlap and I can't seem to get it to stick to the tack board so I've just been stapling it. Do you have that problem?

[@mancot17]

@@scratchthat1000 No I don't have that problem. I just give it a good stretch and try to stick it on as good as possible. Most of the time I ask a 2nd person to help me with the upper side (because I'm small haha). But it will never be good instantly. You have to redo all the sides until it's stretched enough and equally everywhere. I always use gloves for this because the needles are dangerous

[@golisha5871]

@@scratchthat1000 you probably need a tighter weave

[@benzoh28]

Doesn’t it rip 🤔

[@florajenkins9003]

I used to making rugs burlap, on with the needle. It took forever, burlap is all I've ever used. Your comparison was great, only proved what I already knew. Thanks

[@rachelgrigg7189]

For a newbie like me this is everything!!!! Burlap is hessian in the uk and that’s what I’ve been using, and lots of the things you say ring totally true. Now about to try primary. Thanks so much for your experimentation and expertise! Xx

[@muzleee]

may I ask where are you buying your items for your rugs? I'm based in the UK too and it's difficult to find primary cloth

[@honeycasslynn6290]

It’s so nice to know I’m not crazy. I hate monk cloth so much! It is my worst enemy, but that’s what literally everyone says I should be using for my rugs.

[@rcherese]

I'm so glad I randomly came across this video. I'm literally on my way to go buy 10m of monks cloth thinking it's relatively the same as tufting cloth. I'll stock up on burlap instead and just get a bit of monk to test out first.... subscribed!

[@SamMadeThat]

Yea they’re definitely different cloths so it can get confusing when some people use the names interchangeably but it’s worth testing which one you like! The only real right answer is whichever one works for you.

[@katiecookie562]

I'm so glad I found this video!! I was thinking my issue with monks cloth loosing it's tautness and also cutting the cloth (with my cut pile gun) was a only an issue with my skill but I'm so happy to have seen your overall review and recommendations😍

[@deathcoredad]

great video! just in time, i’m gonna be getting into tufting and am purchasing everything I need for it. You’re so natural on camera and I love your playful light vibe. 🤙🏼

[@SamMadeThat]

Thank you!! My video on glue will be up in the next few days!

[@deathcoredad]

@@SamMadeThat awesome! cannot wait for the whole series! 🤙🏼

[@bradfry2259]

I'm a carpet installer in New Zealand and this was fascinating to watch, the hessian or burlap as you call is the secondary backing on the large amount of the carpet we install. So the carpet is woven through some form of primary backing then the hessian (burlap) is latexed to the back of it as reinforcement. Your video me want to give this a go though, it was great. Another funny fact here we call the tack strip by the name smoothedge, it's like a brand name that just stuck in much the same way people will call a circular saw a skillsaw.

[@SamMadeThat]

Thanks for watching! Oh wow I didn’t know that. Does it hold up pretty well? I’ve been seeing some concerns about the longevity of burlap. how funny it’s called smoothedge, I’ve stabbed myself so many times lol 😂

[@bradfry2259]

@@SamMadeThat haha yea smoothedge is a pretty ironic name for it. The burlap will last as long as he carpet does normally unless it not latexed properly and separates and can be susceptible to moisture and mold being a natural product.

[@jknapp98]

Thank you for helping me decide on a fabric! Everything else I've found has been extremely biased. After two weeks of looking I was finally able to decide and place an order. 💖

[@SamMadeThat]

Glad I could help! 💕

[@jknapp98]

@@SamMadeThat now that I've experimented with a couple different things I would have to say that burlap and monk's cloth are a total waste of time and money. I ended up making a very standard cow print rug for myself with burlap, but just getting that amount of detail in was difficult without causing tears. I think primary tufting cloth is the sure way to go!

[@ubbyibby]

I just started my tufting project and this is very helpful. Thank you for making this video and can't wait to see your next episode! 😁

[@8CountLife]

I liked this video alot. Watched from start to finish. You remind me of the old school KZbinrs of 2013. I tried burlap but with a punch needle and it would not stay in. Now that I have a gun I'll have to revisit burlap before fall hits and everyone buys it up for their pumpkin patches

[@SamMadeThat]

Thank you so much! I think with punch needling the weave of burlap might be too open to hold the yarn. But with tufting just the the force of the machine itself and that you're using two strands (if you're not i really recommend you do!) holds the yarn in.

[@SIMJI]

I want to let you know you can have unlimited supply of burlap on aliexpress and alibaba😍 super super cheap also if you negotiate😊

[@8CountLife]

@@SIMJI thank you for the heads up

[@onelovejayjay2770]

I used burlap with my punch needle and it was quite fine

[@cosmicchesire1362]

not only tufting, i think i have the same problem with monk's cloth when i do punch needle with it. the loss of tension on the fabric is killing me lol, i just made a coaster but i need to tightening each time i feel it loosen up.... really thankful with your review! i considering using burlap next time

[@majorfifthmusic]

My circles quickly turned into ovals with the tightening and re-tightening!

[@zjon696]

this is so timely. just finished my 6x6 frame (also got inspo on that from you) looking forward to you doing more work with burlap!

[@TodaysSpecialMinis]

Great experiment and testing of these three fabrics. And I saw your note in the comments about burlap - I don't really like burlap - it kind of feels and looks cheap if you've ever done basket weaving and stuff with it. It also is very crunchy and I don't like the actual fibers of the material as it does tend to fray easily. For all the time and work you put into doing this labor intensive craft - you certainly don't want the base fabric to fray and degrade quickly. I would use it for simple designs, for testing designs, for economical price point designs, and for kitschy designs where people don't have a high expectation of things lasting forever (office parties, single use commemorative events, etc). I've never tufted anything, but if I did - and someone was paying me for it - I'd go with the primary cloth. It looks neater, cleaner, more professional. I would avoid the monk cloth since it's more expensive and leaves all those ugly strings in the yarn (unless that was just user error).

[@duyuyuyen]

really dont know what to say except thank you, thank you, thank you so much!!! I'm from vietnam and have difficulty finding the right materials, especially the cloth. this video is so helpful cuz we vietnamese are so familiar with burlap, let alone the prices and the huge amount of the sources. again thanks a lot!

[@SamMadeThat]

Glad I could help ❤️ Happy Tufting!

[@umejiaku6]

Great video! Gonna go buy the burlap for my SO ASAP. Also, Unforgivable references?? OG youtube deep cut 👌👌👌

[@tyjuanaharrell6597]

This video is AWESOME..I’m trying to get started with tufting, and your videos are a true teaching experience..Thank you

[@gerdaschmidt6938]

looking forward to the question of washability! Thank you for the informative content!

[@tomiadanielle8520]

Love this video, I started with monks and it does lose tension. So I’m gonna give the other cloths a try. Preciate the honesty!

[@Jaycookthechef]

Love your work and I love how detailed this review is , very informative . Also a plus you out here in Dallas! I'm about to start my tufting journey I'm a little nervous but as an artist I'm sure I'll be fine

[@tianownsthis1231]

one ov the best videos I was looking for u even help me to know the difference between two machines( Loop &Cut)bcoz its my 1st time to see this unique art and feel interested in it ,, I can now start up ma business wen I get back to ma country Uganda 🇺🇬 (Pearl of Africa) ,,,can't wait to design, businessLog Entrance mats,Musicians Head logszl, sandals and more,,,,thanx for this ....like RICK ROSE said,,"A master mind is One who feeds others off his /Her Talent i really appreciate

[@samsungandroid7676]

Uzbekistandan salom juda ajoib malumotlar va juda gözalsiz

[@vickistone3700]

good video! I have made four large rugs with monks cloth and liked it, but yes, the white cotton threads are a TINY bit noticeable. I will try burlap. I still think primary cloth, due to cost PLUS SHIPPING is quite expensive.

[@SamMadeThat]

Some people prefer monks cloth, I personally don’t like the whole tufting experience with it 🤷🏽‍♀️ to each their own. Be careful with burlap. I’ve done some more testing and it frays and degrades easily when exposed to moisture!

[@tylerreynolds4915]

Thank you for all of the useful info sam! Im so excited since i just bought 4 yards of burlap after not having good luck with monks cloth on my first go!

[@benzoh28]

Maybe because it was 100%cotton try polyester I had the same problem realized the gun tears the cotton one , until I switched to polyester works fine

[@polyanime]

Amazing review. Subscribed 👏 👏

[@loganlee8470]

Thank you always! Very helpful :) Can you also do a video about the yarns? I just bought my starter kit and bunch of yarns from OfferUp since I did not want to experiment with expensive ones. They all have different texture and thickness so I am genuinely confused what thickness/material/texture is good for what type of rugs (wall hanging, actual rug, etc).

[@SamMadeThat]

Your welcome! I plan too for sure. I used acrylic for both which tends to be much more affordable than wool. The ones I use are a 4 medium weight yarn but I’ve definitely come across some that are way too soft and do not work well with my tufting guns. I think mostly it comes down to longevity, wool would probably give you heirloom quality pieces while acrylic has a good life but not as long.

[@loganlee8470]

@@SamMadeThat Thank you so much!!

[@carpenc1]

Such a great and detailed video- thank you! Especially loved your reaction to the burlap. Ha!

[@selmiepie4283]

Thank you so much for your wonderful videos Sam! I just love them! I ordered my first tufting gun using your code and can’t wait to get started. You are an inspiration. Peace.

[@SamMadeThat]

Yay! Welcome to the Tuft Club!

[@ailsamcquade9826]

I loved this comparison trial. I've only just started (well haven't used my gun yet waiting on primary backing) I would be interested to see if burlap (Hessian) has any blunting effect on the needle -probably not ...as I say I haven't used mine yet. But it does mean I have a cheaper ready available backing and being in a small country town in Australia means few resources other than the hardware store or on line for backing fabric. Id say its longevity would be pretty good ...they make feed sacks out of it(or something similar) so it should hold up to some pretty tough handling/situations Id say. It was a very interesting exercise - can't wait for the glue one...although we font seem to carry the same glues here...I'm going to buy dunlop cork and carpet glue ...only because 1 lady used it on her tufted rug and loved it so fingers crossed. I look forward to more presentations. Cheers.Ailsa🤗

[@ailsamcquade9826]

That's interesting about burlap...but if its viable for testing a design then its worth adding it to supplies for that....besides the dog or cat will appreciate a small rug to sit on while it lasts😀

[@SamMadeThat]

I hadn't thought about that but I don't think it would be an issue. The needle is more sliding between the fibers of the weave and not cutting through it.

[@shoalinbob2878]

Thanks for taking your time doing this. Very helpful.

[@mothmoiloa]

I should've watched this, I bought monks cloth because of it being more washable but now I'm doubting, I'll see when it's done... Thanks for this tutorial, it's almost like a varsity lecture.

[@SamMadeThat]

The was washability is really more so decided by the adhesive you use! If you find you can work well with monks cloth use it!

[@lindamermaid]

This is a great tutorial! Regarding the loops on burlap…. Do you think it would help avoid the double dip into one space to slow down? I just got my tufting gun & don’t know if it has variable speeds.

[@seasnapp9517]

This has been so helpful! I’m just getting started so thank you so much for making this!!!

[@RealtalkjamaicansBlogspot]

She is spot on with her review

[@panther105]

Just watched a person in Instagram design and make a fried egg design carpet. Looks so fun. I`m in!! I recall I used a small hand operated tufting machine which looked like a hand mixer in art class in high school. Burlap was the go to fabric back then.... Regarding the Monk`s Cloth, was it possible you could press more gently and not lose so much tension? And I'm sure you know there are many types and weights of burlap.... Wondering also if Monk's Cloth is better suited for hand tufting or hand hooked rug work. I think my mom used this for all her hand worked projects...

[@trapsinc3017]

I’ve been doing punch needle for a little bit and I thought that monks cloth was the only option, because I only do projects for myself and maybe friends in the future it’s very good to hear the burlap works considering it’s price. I just ordered some and am hoping to make my first big rug with in in the coming weeks.

[@KiRAWRa]

Fantastic tutorial!! Super informative, on-point, and helpful!

[@CM-ok9lf]

Thank you so much for this video. Am a beginner for tufting. I don’t get tufting fabric easily in a place where I live. Hessian/ burlap is available easily as you said. Being a beginner I don’t want to waste money to learn. Would you to experiment burlap on bigger frames.

[@SamMadeThat]

I’m glad I could help! If I could find it in larger pieces I will end up trying it but right now I can only find it in 4FT lengths which is too small for my big frame.

[@CM-ok9lf]

@@SamMadeThat Thank you so much.

[@SIMJI]

@@CM-ok9lf hi! You can find any fabric of any size on aliexpress and alibaba❤ (superrr cheap)

[@AnthonyPOG]

I personally love the monks cloth yes it will loosen a lot but I find you do not need to re-stretch it your design will come out just fine if you leave it loose

[@SamMadeThat]

Maybe but that loosening makes it easier to chew up with the cut pile. I just didn’t care for the working experience with it at all. But to each their own!

[@AnthonyPOG]

@@SamMadeThat still a great video and it’s always nice to experiment

[@SirLMSwart]

I just recently came across a late in life hobby and was looking into "carpet making" and found you. Thank you. Larry Cape town, South africa

[@JojosCraftyLove]

Hi Sam! Thank you so much for your crafty educational videos! I think I'm going to start with punch needling on burlap since they're the easiest to obtain. When I make enough money, I will have to invest in that spiffy tufting gun! I am looking forward to the video of your opinion on whether the rugs can be washed/cleaned no matter what backing it is. You have given me some motivation to actually do some crafting when my crafty mojo decided to go on an indefinite holiday years ago. I am hoping I could actually do this as a stay at home mum as well since we now have 2 kids and would love to spend more time with them rather than working for someone else... lol! Fingers crossed! New subscriber from Melbourne, Australia. 💕

[@SamMadeThat]

Hi! I’m not sure if burlap will work for punch needling, the weave is a bit too open for that. I think you’d have to go with Monks cloth. I definitely understand how motivation can disappear at time, small projects are a good way to start! Sometimes I just sketch what I’d like to make or put together Pinterest boards of inspiration. Progress over Perfection!

[@JojosCraftyLove]

@@SamMadeThat True that about the burlap! I will have to try the punch needle kit first that comes with Monks cloth. It is just that the Monks cloth is a lot more expensive. Ugh. Yes, I do have a few ideas in mind... which I should have written down. 🤦So forgetful these days with a 5 month old baby and sleep deprivation. lol We shall see how it goes! Thanks again! 😊

[@capri7412]

Burlap is the best for beginners 20 yard roll for about $40 if you catch Joanns on a discount day, I hated monks cloth for the same reasons you were saying and never used primary cause of the price but I’ve never had an issue with burlap

[@FLAESHAL]

thanks when is there discount days how do you find out

[@benzoh28]

Doesn’t the gun tear the burlap ? 🤔

[@rahulsrivastava357]

Hi, this is a great video. Just wondering do you know how many Oz the burlap you use is? I see 7,10 and 12 oz online, 7oz seems to be the most affordable, but I don't know if it will mean a poorer quality of rug compared to 10 and 12 oz.

[@crisr4865]

Thank u so much for all your vídeos 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Pure Love 💕💕 can u show us how to price our rugs? 🙏🏻

[@politepapaya9957]

Thank you for breaking down the price by square footage! Loving your tufting videos!

[@DemRudeBoyzMuzik]

Most helpful guide I've found yet thumbs up 👍

[@Stepernay]

Omg thank you for posting this I’m bout to subscribe and like so I can keep up with your stuff I was just losing hope today cause I’ve made about 7 rugs and I’ve just been having so much trouble with that damned monks cloth Bc it loses tension soon as you stick the needle in and like you said it warps the design and that messes it up I make a rug for my aunty and I had to tell her it’s supposed to look like a parallelogram Bc it was wobbly ! I’m gonna start using burlap just cause I can run to hobby lobby to buy it easily can’t wait for you next videos !!!

[@alexisjoy7232]

love your channel! could you make a vid on how u price your work? im having a hard time figuring out how to estimate the yarn spent per piece

[@SamMadeThat]

I might do that! But what would help is take a skein of what ever yarn you use and divide it into even yarn balls/cones. Divide the cost of the skein by how ever many balls you ended up with then tuft a 1ft square. Then just multiply how many yarn balls it took by how much each ball cost and that should give you a ballpark of how much it cost based on the square footage of whatever you tuft. For help calculating the whole cost of a piece and how to mark it up for sale google ‘CreativeHiveCo Pricing Handmade Items Guide’ they have a super helpful template. Hope that helps!

[@constanzaparejavidal1168]

Excelent video!! Can I ask you how do you set the fabric on the frame? Is the edge of the frame has some kind of adhesive? beside the nails or staples?

[@SamMadeThat]

Nope! It’s held on completely by the nails. The nails are at an angle pointing outward so when you stretch the fabric it hooks onto them and can’t slide back off.

[@azifisseha6028]

Hello Sam, have you you used polypropylene fabric? I have seen a few people use it. what do you think about it?

[@sandycameron3780]

Hi Sam I just picked up a 2 tufting guns I have a 220V Industrial Grade tufting Gun Both Cut Pile and Loop Pile and a Electric Punch Needle Looped Pile I didn't know what I needed so I picked up both I'm new to tufting, I saw one of your videos and wanted to try it. I haven't try it yet, can't wait to use them which gun should I keep. love your videos

[@SamMadeThat]

Yay! The one I have that is cut & loop is the KRD from tuftinggun.com, if that’s what you got fair warning it is very aggressive and a little heavy. If you got the AK-II loop pile gun I would start with that one. It’s the quietest and the smoothest of all my tufting guns. Just remember that since it’s loop pile you have to manually cut the yarn before pulling too far away otherwise you’ll pull out the line you just tufted! Happy Tufting!

[@sandycameron3780]

​@@SamMadeThat I think its the KRD it's green and heavy the loop pile is a AK-II

[@SamMadeThat]

Yup that’s the one! I just got one recently and I’m still getting the hang of it. I’ve had the loop pile for a while, it’s great, easy to change the pile height and tufts well.

[@VittoriaColonna]

Great video! Thank you!! Regarding the burlap, I found options but there seems to be various densities. Is 290 g / m2 a good choice? Curious to know the density of yours? What would you recommend? Thanks V

[@xjonniiboiix]

If I'm still getting the white fibers showing with the primary cloth does that mean it's not tight enough?

[@PreschoolPlay]

Thank you for such a great detailed video! Exactly what I was looking for!

[@allangarcia6838]

Hey I’m from Dallas Tx and I been learning so much from you, do you have classes? Or a shop ?

[@vanessajohnsonrealtor3240]

I was so excited when I first started, I built this huge ten foot frame that's nearly touching my ceiling...lol, so anytime am making a rug I have to use a large amount of fabric because the frame is so huge..it would be me doe I could have built a smaller frame but my imagination is huge and I tend to bring it out .lol.. but I get to make multiple rugs at the same time. I thought you were going to pick your favorite most used one, I'm behind the screen like uhn she know she gon put her favorite in first place.. lol but you were honest about it, thank you... ok I'm done now

[@SamMadeThat]

Yea eventually I’m going to make an even bigger one than my 5 x 6, I just need to figure out how to comfortably tuft when I’m at the higher parts lol YES! I really tried to be fair and open to the other fabrics.

[@vanessajohnsonrealtor3240]

@@SamMadeThat yeah I use a step ladder and make sure to be extremely careful, it's the third step that makes me nervous

[@Bubblestheghost]

THANK YOU for this. I needed this. 💘🙏

[@yktvmeldagoat144]

I’ve just recently gotten started and I need new fabric. I went out and bought monks cloth and yeah I hate it. I was about to order primary because that’s what I started with and I like how it works but I think I’m gonna try burlap because of this tutorial

[@benzoh28]

Make sure it’s not 100% cotton Monks cloth

[@sixomnia1328]

great video, super informative!! i was wondering what type of yarn you use? and where you purchase it as well, if you dont mind answering :)

[@SamMadeThat]

Thank you. I currently use acrylic, either Big Twist or Red Heart brand. You can find them at Joann Fabrics or Michael’s or if you don’t mind a little wait you can find so many colors on yarnspirstions.com !

[@HouseScraper]

thank you so much for your review I think burlap is a great choice.

[@Tilaummakossa]

Hello, I'm Brazilian and I follow your channel. What burlap weave did you use? P9?

[@LadyFville]

Did you precast the monks cloth, which can shrink the cloth & make it tighter (maybe less able to lose up)?

[@deedeeclayton759]

Who do you use if your tufting gun needs repair?

[@LYNNSTER1971]

Can primary backing fabric be used to back a crocheted or knit rug project? If so, what kind of adhesive is used? Do you know of any how-tos to do this process? I’m not a tufter.

[@Godfidence282]

Hey there, I wanted to ask, on your tufting board you have spikes, rather than stapling it with a gun. How did you do that? I will be planning to make my own tufting board.

[@thomasb577]

Flooring Carpet tact

[@seariousjones]

OH MY!!!! Where did you get your can holders on your studio wall??!! -love from An aussie who needs xo

[@vanessajohnsonrealtor3240]

I got ten yards of burlap online, 120" in length, it works just fine

[@zanetwiesman9079]

Sam, I am a little confused about the way the cloth is named by companies, or it might be that I am missing the point, I see Monk cloth and backing in the same sentence. Am I missing something? Thank you for your videos. I am enjoying it and find it also very helpful. I am getting ready to jump into the tufting world.

[@SamMadeThat]

Unfortunately there are some discrepancies and some places are using the terms interchangeably. Monks cloth and primary tufting cloth are both backing fabrics but they are different. For the most part primary tufting cloth will be the one that has lines or a grid on it. If it doesn’t have that it’s probably just plain monks cloth.

[@amandawall8249]

I know its been a long time since you posted this, but do you remember having to fix the tension after using the loop gun on the Monks cloth? :)

[@majorfifthmusic]

I don't know what kind of magic touch y'all have but when I tried burlap, my gun completely SHREDDED it. I had to scrap the project immediately.

[@SamMadeThat]

I have heard that happening to people with all three honestly. I think it might also come down to technique and speed.

[@ivana2971]

Hey i just watched all of your video, Im from Indonesia and i just started tufting i wanna know what is a good glue to use for my rug? Because here in Indonesia is pretty hard to find the adhesive glue that everybody use. I hope u answer my question and btw i loveeeeeeeeeee all of your vids!! Can't wait for another video

[@ivana2971]

I mean if u have any alternative glue pls lmk:)

[@SamMadeThat]

You can actually use regular elmers glue or any PVA glue!

[@makellingo]

Super thorough!!

[@AscellaBlue7]

Hi Sam! I'm new to tufting so I'm curious: what is the difference between loop and cut guns?

[@SamMadeThat]

The finish is what sets them apart. Cut pile is that flat even look, think of like fresh cut grass or carpet. Loop pile is just that, a bunch of little loops like punch needle.

[@lilalisa5664]

Hey! I was wondering which kind of burlap you used in this video, someone told me to get 270 gram burlap for tufting.

[@SamMadeThat]

I did not even realize burlap came in different weights! I just got the standard one from Joanne Fabrics

[@wife2oj]

Maybe I'll have to give Burlap a second shot, I had a horrible experience my first time with burlap, and went running back to PTC!

[@benzoh28]

Same here , was the gun tearing the burlap ?

[@Simplychilly456]

Your expectations from burlap going to this 📈 WAS SO DAMN FUNNY like you didn’t believe it felt like a dream

[@cameroncassidy3093]

Great video!! But I was wondering what your rating be as for making curved lines, I’ve noticed when using monks cloth I can not make curve lines AT ALL it always ruins the fabric:/

[@SamMadeThat]

I think I may have touched on it briefly when I was doing the letters but regardless for curves I recommend going slowly with short pulses. Only do curves for the outline of that section and then do straight lines to fill in the shape. If you still can’t do curves you can give the illusion of curves even if you just do straight lines.

[@espinhela10]

yep !! longevity is an issue because it is made of a vegetable caled '"cizal bushes""...verry common on pathfinder's ropes. Also ii hasn't chemicals on its fabrication.

[@metu5818]

Is the loss of tension, due to the thread being cut, from the cut pile? Meaning that the loop pile might not cause tension loss?

[@SamMadeThat]

I don’t believe so. I just don’t feel it’s a flexible or open enough weave to allow the needle to move easily. Coupled with the amount of pressure needed to properly tuft regardless of cut pile or loop pile it doesn’t maintain the necessary tension. Some people swear by it but it wasn’t a pleasant tufting experience for me personally.

[@sambelfort7850]

Love the rugs!

[@Kenebaby]

I do mine by hand and use burlap. I love it. Cheap too.

[@Taiyella]

Guys when buying fabric online please note: Primary backing fabric and monks cloth are two different things

[@CM-ok9lf]

Have you ever used two strands of different colours at a time in the tufting gun.

[@SamMadeThat]

I have! It makes a striping effect so you have to be very deliberate with how you tuft your lines or it can look all wonky.

[@awesomemermaid2796]

The best video!!🎉

[@sandycameron3780]

Good morning Sam I wanted to know can I just plug in the heavy green gun in to the wall or do I need a 220 outlet Thanks