From 3D Prints to 3D Rugs: Dive into Tufting with Clawlab H1

Introducing Thomas Roussel, the creator behind PolyWorkshop. With a background in 3D and digital making, he explores new creative tools through hands-on testing. Tufting is new to him, but as a physical, 3D way to turn ideas into form, it’s a process he’s curious to explore.

Tufting had been on my radar for a long time. I had watched videos, seen rugs online, and loved the idea of turning yarn into something tangible. But for years, I never actually started.

What held me back wasn’t curiosity — it was the setup.

Between intimidating tufting guns, DIY nail frames, and the time it seemed to require just to get started, tufting felt like one of those things I’d “try someday.” That changed when I came across the Clawlab Tufting H1.

👉 You can watch the full, unedited video review here:

The following images and text are selected from the PolyWorkshop video above.

What is tufting, in your own words?

At its core, tufting is about pushing yarn into a stretched cloth using a tufting gun to create a raised surface — usually rugs, mats, or wall pieces.

The easiest way I can describe it is that it feels a bit like a portable sewing machine, except instead of stitching fabric together, you’re building texture and shapes directly into the cloth. Every movement shows up immediately, which makes it very satisfying.

What surprised you most during your first tufting session?

How fun it was — and how fast the yarn disappears.

I knew tufting would use yarn, but I didn’t expect how quickly you go through it when you’re learning. You test densities, speeds, pressure… and suddenly one color is half gone.

That said, the enjoyment outweighed everything. Even the “bad” results were fun to make. You’re constantly learning something new with every pass.

Why did you want to try tufting in the first place?

I’d been interested in tufting for a long time, honestly. What stopped me wasn’t the creative part — it was everything around it.

The guns I had seen looked complicated. The frames often involved building wooden structures with nails. It all felt very DIY-heavy, and I knew that if it took too long to set up, I probably wouldn’t stick with it.

When I saw the Clawlab H1, it felt different. It looked like a product designed for people who actually want to start, not just plan.

What comes with the Clawlab Tufting H1?

The kit includes:

• the tufting gun (with a storage pouch)

• the frame system

• tufting cloth

• non-slip backing fabric

• starter yarn

• a printed manual

• access to an online wiki with guides and visuals

What I appreciated is that I didn’t have to source things separately just to begin. I could open the box, assemble the frame, and start experimenting.

Was tufting difficult the first time you tried it?

It’s not difficult to understand — but it does take practice.

The process itself is straightforward. The real learning curve is in the gesture:

• how much pressure you apply to the cloth

• how fast you move the gun

• how you follow curves and lines

At first, I made all the beginner mistakes. Pressing too hard caused small holes. Moving too fast created uneven lines. Sometimes the yarn slipped out and I kept tufting without realizing it right away.

But the good thing is that you see everything instantly. You don’t wait hours to find out if you did something wrong — you know right away, and you adjust.

Was the frame setup complicated?

Not at all.

The frame does need to be assembled, but it’s straightforward if you follow the guide or video. Tensioning the cloth took a moment to understand, but once it clicked, it was simple.

One small thing we missed at first was removing a plastic part when attaching the cloth on the sides — once we realized that, everything made sense.

What I really liked is that the frame clamps to a desk. I didn’t need a dedicated workspace, and I could remove and store it easily when I was done.

How did the tufting gun feel to use?

Much better than I expected.

I’ve tried tufting guns briefly at events before, and they were big, loud, and tiring. This one feels more compact and controlled. It still has weight — you feel it after an hour or two — but it’s not uncomfortable.

The vibrations felt manageable, and I liked being able to adjust the speed as I learned what worked best for me.

Did you encounter any challenges while learning?

Of course — and that’s normal.

Most of the challenges were about control:

• keeping the yarn feeding smoothly

• maintaining consistent pressure

• following curves without “cutting corners”

I also learned quickly that it’s important to clean up stray yarn before gluing the back. Once glue is applied, fixing small mistakes becomes harder.

But none of these felt discouraging. They felt like part of the learning process.

Is tufting messy?

Yes — especially during trimming.

Once you start trimming and shaping the surface, yarn dust goes everywhere. I definitely recommend having a vacuum nearby, and for bigger jobs, even a mask isn’t a bad idea.

That said, this isn’t unique to tufting — it’s normal for textile crafts.

How long does it take to finish a first piece?

A simple first piece can be done in a day.

Tufting itself doesn’t take very long. The main wait is for the glue to dry, which I usually let sit overnight (around 16 hours) before moving on to finishing.

What kind of projects would you recommend for beginners?

Start simple.

Big shapes, limited colors, and solid areas are perfect for learning. They help you focus on:

• movement

• consistency

• yarn density

Text, thin outlines, and complex designs are doable — but they’re much more demanding early on.

I jumped into detailed projects a bit too fast, and while I don’t regret it, I’d definitely recommend easing into them.

Is tufting better as a solo activity or a group activity?

Both — but it’s amazing as a group activity.

I had friends and family try it, and everyone wanted to give it a shot. It didn’t matter if the results were “good” or not — everyone had fun.

It’s surprisingly social, especially when people take turns, give tips, and laugh at mistakes together.

Looking back, was the Clawlab H1 Kit worth it for a beginner?

For me, yes.

Not just because of the tool itself, but because it removed the friction that would’ve stopped me from starting. I’m fairly sure that if I had bought a cheaper gun and tried to build my own frame, I would’ve delayed — or given up entirely.

This setup gave me confidence to start, experiment, and keep going.

What’s your biggest piece of advice for someone starting tufting?

Make bad pieces on purpose.

Your first projects are about learning, not perfection. Test pressure. Waste some yarn. Follow curves badly and then better the next time.

Tufting rewards practice, and the process itself is genuinely fun. That’s what makes you want to come back to it.

Final thoughts

Tufting surprised me. I expected something technical and demanding — instead, I found something playful, hands-on, and deeply satisfying.

I’m still a beginner, and I still have a lot to learn. But I’m absolutely going to keep tufting, improving, and experimenting. And if you’re even a little curious about it, my honest advice is simple:

Try it. You’ll understand very quickly why people get hooked.

MORE REVIEWS? Click here.

Subscribe PolyWorkshop x CLAWLAB for more tufting tutorials :)