Do They Still DO That?

I told a stranger on a plane that I was a tapestry weaver and his eyes widened in disbelief. “Do they still DO that?” Well yes, actually they do, I mean WE do.

So, how exactly does one weave a tapestry?

You start with the Warp threads, which are held tightly on a frame of some sort. Then the Weft thread goes over and under the warp threads. Over-Under-Over-Under-Over-Under until you get to the other side. Then you turn around and come back, this time going Over the ones you went Under before, and vice versa. That’s plain weave. Just like the potholders you made in elementary school. If you were deprived of this experience it’s not too late.

In tapestry weaving you pack down the weft tightly so that the warp doesn’t show. The weft makes the image, by weaving different colors just exactly where you want them to be.

Sounds easy, right?

It depends on what kind of image you want to make.

Something simple?



Or a little more complex.

Tapestries can be woven on simple wooden or metal frames, or they can be woven on gorgeous floor looms, but it’s still the same technique.

If you’d like to learn how to weave tapestries, look for a workshop.

Some people teach themselves, using one of these excellent books:

My Tapestry Booklist:

Beutlich, Tadek - The Technique of Woven Tapestry

Glasbrook, Kirsten- Tapestry Weaving

Harvey, Nancy - The Guide to Successful Tapestry Weaving

Pearson, Alec - The Complete Book of Tapestry Weaving

Russell, Carol - The Tapestry Handbook

Todd-Hooker, Kathe - Tapestry 101

Good luck and Happy Weaving!