A Short History of Tapestries

The definition of tapestry in The American Heritage dictionary is a bulky fabric that has scenes and designs of multiple colors on it which is used as a wall hanging most of the time but can also be used as cover for furniture. There is one other definition of tapestry and that is 'art in a plain weave'. This definition is from a craft book. You will find that a lot of individuals call a needle point wall hanging a tapestry at present. You can not call it a tapestry because it is sewed on a canvas and not made on a loom.

The early basketry has led to weaving and stiff fibers are needed for such a purpose. People started using flexible fibers after the discovery of loom. It grasps the long warp strands tightly whilst the weaving of the crosswise weft strands is in action.

After the 1700s, modifications were made on looms through mechanization which was discovered by the English people. Weaving with hands was not done any more at the time of the Industrial Revolution. However, there are few locations around the globe where people use hand weaving. Currently, people weave with hands not because for money but because they enjoy weaving.

The principles of weaving did not change much with the passage of time. Making of the shed, picking and beating are 3 components of weaving. The fabric's foundation is the warp. The weave and the design are made by weaving the weft. Another way is to lift the warp threads to go by the shuttle with the weft threads throughout. 'Shed' is the term referred to the gap produced and 'pick' is referred to a line of weft. To ensure that the pick is constant, beating is done.

You must use a tough fiber because the warp takes a great deal of pressure. While deciding on the measurements, make sure that the width is one-tenth more in order to tolerate the pulling in on selvedges. It is important to arrange the warp threads properly and put it on the loom with care.

To weave tapestries, some unique methods are to be adopted. One by one the weaver will fill in shaded regions. The slits will be left in the material and this will later be sewed. The slits may not be stitched if the tapestry is to be hung upright.

An artist will make the design or pattern on a card and this design will appear on the tapestry. At times, 'cartoon' is the word used to refer to this design. The card is used as a drawing by the weave. At present where tapestries are made mechanically, the design is made by the artist in the size in which the tapestry is to be made. After that a technical plan is created which displays every single stitch of the weft. To fit the jacquard loom, the card is punched by using a mechanical instrument.

Make use of contemporary tapestries by hanging them on your walls or place them on top of your cushions. No matter where you intend to place it, it will sure be one great piece which you can pass on to your offspring.

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