NoDa rug tufting studio offers a creative date night
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This NoDa art studio has rug tufting workshops where you'll learn how to create your own rugs to take home. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
Tucked behind a fresh juice bar on North Davidson Street, you'll find art studio with rug tufting workshops that makes for a fun date night activity.
Why it matters: Safe & Sound Rugs owner Christian Davis spent years hosting pop-ups before finding a permanent home for his rug-tufting workshops in NoDa.
Context: Davis started leading rug-tufting workshops in Raleigh in 2023 before bringing the concept to events and local businesses around Charlotte.
- As the classes grew in popularity, he decided he needed a dedicated studio where he could host more people and offer classes regularly.
- Davis got into rug tufting after realizing he could make designs he couldn't afford to buy — and wanted to give other people the chance to do the same.
- "It's a beginner-friendly experience. It's date-friendly. It's solo date-friendly," he said. "It marks off a lot of boxes."
How it works: During the classes, instructors teach you how to use a tufting gun before helping you create your rug.
- You can choose or submit a design when you book, and it'll already be drawn on your frame when you arrive, so no drawing skills are required.
- Instructors typically handle trickier outlines and curves, while you fill in the design — unless you want to give those parts a try.
- They'll heat-press, cut and shave your finished rug so you can take it home the same day.
Zoom in: Classes, which can typically hold up to six people, vary in price by size and complexity.
- Entry-level classes start at $45 for a small "express" rug using one of the studio's designs, with your choice of colors. It lasts about 30-45 minutes.
- The $125 Catalog Experience lets you choose from a larger selection of designs and customize the colors.
- A $169 custom rug class allows you to submit your own design, which the studio reviews to make sure it's doable for a first-time tufter.
- Larger, more complex rugs with more design freedom cost $220.
Zoom out: Safe & Sound is also partnering with other local businesses for events outside its regular classes.
- Its monthly "Tuft and Puff" events with dispensaries like Happy Camper and Crowntown Cannabis pair rug tufting with a free pre-roll. Tickets start at $60.
If you go: Safe & Sound Rugs is located at 3205 N Davidson St., in the back of Jugo Bar's shop.
- They offer classes Tuesday through Sunday, and recommend booking a reservation at least two days in advance so they can prepare your design.