Tapestry is a weaving technique that produces a patterned or pictorial cloth in which discontinuous wefts are used in a weft-faced weave. Working at a loom, the weaver manipulates colored weft threads to create images in wool, silk, linen, cotton, or other materials. Tapestry is also used in a more general way to refer to any cloth wall hanging. True tapestry is hand woven.
The Bayeaux tapestry is an embroidered cloth. It dates from the late 11th century and depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England as well as the events of the invasion itself.
Historically, tapestry weaving developed in all parts of the world. Many older traditions are still practiced today, e.g. the Saltillo serape and Navajo blankets of the U.S. Southwest. Coptic tapestries from Egypt and Andean tapestries are valued for their skillful weaving and masterful imagery. Contemporary artists around the world use tapestry as a versatile, tactile medium to express their ideas. Some of these artists are featured in ATA’s exhibitions, Artists Pages and throughout this website.
Some galleries carry contemporary handwoven tapestry. They are more likely to be found in certain areas of the US, e.g. the Southwest, Northeast and Southeast. You can also visit ATA’s Artist Pages. It contains the work of dozens of tapestry artists. Contact information is listed on each artist’s individual page. In addition, you can visit our Links page to find other resources that will connect you to tapestry artists.
ATA sponsors a variety of learning opportunities. Explore the Education section of our website and learn about Helping Hands and the Distance Learning programs. To find an individual in your area to study with, check our Educator’s Roster and our Links page. Many teachers travel to teach workshops on a regular basis. Books and videos are good sources of beginning instruction. Conferences, arts festivals and yarn shops occasionally offer supplies and classes. Some universities and colleges have fiber programs.
Tapestry weaving is labor intensive. A tapestry may take many months to design and weave. A large piece can take many years. A skilled, professional tapestry weaver who works 35-40 hours a week at the loom, can weave about 1 square meter a month. The rate of weaving varies considerably and depends upon the level of detail and the number of warps and wefts per inch.
A wide variety of equipment is used, from a basic frame loom to a large loom with a shed-making device. Basically, one needs a strong rectangular frame that can hold warp threads under high tension and good lighting conditions. A diverse selection of weft materials, particularly in a range of color gradations allows for careful rendering. Hand-held bobbins allow ease of manipulation and keep the yarns from tangling.
For help finding the nearest fiber art guild in North America, contact Handweavers Guild of America, Inc. In other countries contact your own national guild. Look in our Links section and on the Regional Groups page.
There are a lot of books on tapestry, most of them full of historical information. Some books also include chapters on technique, and others are specifically designed for the beginning student. As a starting point, you can check a bibliography of tapestry books on Christine Laffer’s website.
Museums often have tapestries in their collections even if they are not always up on display. A few contemporary galleries carry tapestry. Look on our Links page for opportunities to see contemporary tapestry.
ATA supports a community of artists, weavers, and scholars who are interested in the continued artistic development of tapestry techniques. ATA publishes a newsletter, organizes international juried exhibitions, offers educational opportunities and networks with other organizations to promote the field of contemporary tapestry. ATA also encourages and supports the activities of collectors, curators, educators and members of the general public who find tapestry weaving of extreme interest.
