the studio
Soft Spot Studio is located 5 minutes away from Victoria rail and tram Station in central Manchester.
If you’re visiting the shop, you can arrive via the front door on Redbank. For workshops, we reccommend you go round to the back, where the car park is, and enter through the glass doors instead.
Arch 21
Redbank
M4 4HF
Meet Alena Ruth
Hello!It all started in 2016, whilst I was studying Visual Arts at the University of Salford. I wasn’t very good at painting or drawing, but I found a hidden skill and passion for rug tufting. In 2017, I got my first fabricating and exhibiting opportunity for artist Ruth Barker. My dream to create a purpose-built rugmaking and textiles studio began.
From 2018-2026, my studio was based at Islington Mill in Salford. For most of that time, Unit 4 was my creative sanctuary. Manchester Tufting Workshops was founded, and I established a thriving art career there. I was featured on Blue Peter, made a festive window display for Selfridges and made commissions for Crocs, to name a few things.
In 2026, the perfect time collided with the perfect space. I had the chance to open my dream rugmaking studio in a railway arch. It was the whimsical scenario I had wished for. I rebranded as Soft Spot Studio, because the space is a reflection of my heart and soul.
Now I offer workshops, studio memberships, a shop, and guest artist classes. I can’t wait to welcome you into my little slice of tufting heaven!