Punch Needle Rug Hooking for Beginners: Make a Floral Mug Rug! with Melissa Vorndran — Jun 15

Dates: June 15, 2025
Times: 9am-5pm (15 mins break in morning and afternoon, 30 min lunch break)
Level: All levels

Workshop Description:
Join Oxford Certified Punch Needle Instructor Melissa Vorndran at the Mendocino Art Center for a fun and comprehensive one-day workshop exploring the art of punch needle rug hooking. Perfect for beginners, this class will teach you everything you need to know to create a beautiful 5” floral “mug rug” coaster. Melissa will guide you step-by-step through the entire process—from preparing your materials to creating smooth, consistent loops and finishing your project.

You’ll choose a floral design template to work from and learn techniques for transferring patterns, planning your project, and selecting colors from a variety of hand-dyed wool rug yarns. This class is ideal for total beginners and those looking to refine their technique. By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with your completed project (or the skills to finish at home) and the confidence to tackle future punch needle projects of any size.

What’s Included:
• High-quality punch needle tools to borrow during class and available for purchase after: Oxford #10 Regular Punch Needle ($35) and 10”x10” gripper strip frame ($55)
• Hand-dyed wool rug yarn and premium cotton monks cloth for your project
• A selection of floral design templates
• Personalized guidance and 1:1 support from Melissa throughout the day
• An intimate and supportive creative environment with a small class size (maximum 10 students)

No prior experience is needed—just bring your enthusiasm and creativity! Tools and materials will also be available for purchase after class if you’d like to continue your punch needle journey at home.

Reserve your spot today and dive into the rewarding world of punch needle rug hooking!

About the Instructor:
Melissa Vorndran is a fiber artist and Oxford Certified Punch Needle Instructor based in San Francisco. Growing up on the coast in San Diego, California, Melissa developed a deep appreciation for nature, which continues to influence her work. She has been practicing punch needle for over four years and her work blends playful and colorful designs with traditional techniques.

Melissa graduated with honors from Parsons School of Design and spent time living in Paris, where she deepened her appreciation for art history and cultural influences. Her love for travel and art history continues to inspire her designs, bringing a rich and dynamic perspective to her work. She has exhibited her pieces in galleries throughout San Francisco and is passionate about teaching and inspiring students of all ages to explore this creative and relaxing craft.

Required Materials:
- You don’t need to bring any supplies for this class. The tuition covers yarn, monks cloth, and the use of essential tools during class which will be available to purchase after class if desired.
Optional Materials:
- If you would like to bring your own tools or materials, please let me know in advance to ensure they are suitable for the class!