Tapestry is considered to be a form of textile art. Unlike painting, the artist works this by hand on a vertical loom. The difference between this technique and cloth making is the fact that all the warp threads are hidden from view.

A tapestry is commonly made using cotton or wool. To make it look more elegant, others use more expensive fabrics like gold, silk or silver. Before a tapestry is made, a blueprint is first drawn by an artist and then sown by a craftsman.

The history of tapestries dates back to the Greeks after archeologists discovered samples in the desert of the Tarim Basin dating back to the 3rd century BC.

Through the years, this craft spread throughout Europe and in the 14th century, various designs were created in both Germany and Switzerland.

One organization that recognized its value was the Church which used it to illustrate bible stories to its illiterate believers. The oldest of these happen to be the Apocalypse of St John which consists of six hangings measuring 18 feet in height and 471 feet in length which took 4 years to finish.

The Hundred Years War which lasted from 1337 to 1453 forced weavers to flee from the fighting and settle in the northern France town of Arras. Here, the weavers specialized in making tapestries out of wool that they got a lot of orders from all over Europe and displayed in numerous castles and palaces.

You will only find a handful of these in France because a vast majority of the art work was destroyed during the French revolution. In the 16th and 17th century, Belgium became the center of European tapestry production.

Modern tapestry making would never have happened without the vision of William Morris who established the Arts and Craft Movement. He did this by reviving many old crafts and later on established his own company which experts say helped revive the aging craft.

Today, there are only a handful of hand woven tapestries. If you happen to have one, you can even have them repair or restore it.

Decorative tapestry was so saleable back then because it was very easy to move around. Someone can set it up and then remove this without any difficulty.

Since there is still a demand for it now, companies that once produced this by hand have now invested in machines. Some of these are displayed in museums and if you want one for yourself, this won’t be a problem as you can now purchase these at an affordable price.

If you want a challenge, do it the old fashioned way and make this by yourself by hand. Just keep in mind that you won’t be able to finish this overnight.

The Europeans were not the only ones who used tapestries. There is evidence which shows that the Egyptians and the Incas used this to bury their dead. But despite that, it was the French that helped make this craft what it is today.

Tapestries come in different sizes and shapes so if you are thinking about decorating your home, consider getting a tapestry instead of a painting. Best of all, you don’t have to frame it so there won’t be any problem transferring this to another section of your house.

Tapestries are made of different fabrics. There is wool, cotton, chenille, silk and a lot more. Some of these look good as curtains while others are ideal to put on the wall or floor.

Regardless of what fabric you buy, stores that offer these sell this to you by the yard. The price varies on two things, the material and the design so you could be paying less than $10 or a little over $20. Here are some of the designs that you will likely find when you go out shopping.

The first is the unicorn and the reason why you will find these in stores is because it has magical and religious implications. It is magical because it represents fidelity, desire for progeny, fidelity, love and marriage. It is also religious because it represents Christ’s incarnation, passion and resurrection. One of the most famous is the Lady of the Unicorn which took more than 15,000 people to finish.

Another design is the medieval tapestry. Here, you have knights on horseback or in battle, a coat of arms and a few religious figures. This is best explained by the fact that each one artwork was human, personal and spiritual.

You also have Renaissance tapestry and by looking at it, you might even say that what you see depicted there is better than the real thing because it produces the illusion of what life should be. The original copies of these tapestries costs more than $200,000 a piece. It is a good thing you don’t have to pay for that when there are replicas readily available.

For people who are very religious, you have to get a tapestry similar to those made by Raphael. You have to remember that he created numerous tapestries often referred to as cartoons which until now can be seen in the Sistine Chapel in Rome. Here, you will get to see images which depict the Acts of the Apostles but Raphael is also known for the Madonna.

If you are a nature lover, you will enjoy getting Verdure tapestries as it depicts forests and landscapes with a few animals, hunters and mythological creatures.

Similar to Verdure tapestries are the Aubusson. This is great to have if you have a farm because the picture shows open lands and cottages in the countryside. Historians believe that this was done to demonstrate wealth and power.

Here at home, we have the American tapestry. Yes this also depicts reality but in an American setting. Some of those you seen in stores are made in Belgium while others come from China.

If you like flowers, there is the floral tapestry. Some of the designs include a bunch of flowers in a vase or wreathes. People enjoy having this in their home because it brightens and warms up any room.

A combination of floral, modern and medieval tapestries can be found in chenille tapestries. The best part about this design is that they don’t only make good wall décor but this can also be used as blankets, rugs and throws.

There are other designs to choose from should you decide to have tapestries in your home. Before you buy one, make sure that this will fit nicely on your wall or wherever else you want to put it otherwise you will have to cut it.

Buying room accents can be pretty confusing especially if you do not know what to really buy. This is especially true with accent pieces that are not usually being used for the home. One of the pieces that is hard to really buy and pick out is the tapestry which is not often seen in the United States.

Buying a tapestry can be really tricky especially if this is the first time that you will be getting one. Below are some tips and tricks that you can help you with your predicament.

1. Size of the room
The size of the room will determine the size of the tapestries that you should be looking for. Tapestries can easily overwhelm a room with its presence and it is hard to really look for the right size that will fit the room. Tapestries that are large will only suit a room with a higher ceiling and a large bare wall. Otherwise, you should be looking for smaller ones that can function the same way as painting on wall.

2. Color Scheme
In buying tapestries, make sure that you take note of the colors of the room. Clashing colors in an area can be nerve-wracking especially if you have bright colors within. Some will say that tapestries will have a lot of colors as they will frequently depict scenes. But tapestries will have a dominating color seen on the background or at the frames. Some will also have a prevailing shade like reds and yellows. Make sure that the colors match the furniture or at the very least complement the area.

3. Intricate detail
The details weaved into the tapestry is another consideration that people should look into when buying the tapestry. Those with more detailed work will look more expensive and can serve as the focal point in any room. Detailed tapestries will be great conversation pieces in any room.

4. Pattern or picture
People who have patterns or picture will also be another consideration when buying a tapestry. If you are putting it in a room that is more serious and more somber, the tapestries should be more or less serious in theme. This should often be put into the rooms like the study and the library. Quirky pieces should be put in the living areas where it can become great conversation pieces. Quirky themes can also serve to brighten up the room which can lighter up an area in the house.

5. Price point
Of course, one of the most important consideration when checking out for a tapestry is the price point. Make sure that before you buy, you check the price point that you can afford. That way, you will have more room to check for designs. Knowing up to when you should be buying will more or less give you a direction when buying.

6. influence
When buying tapestries, also take note of the influence. French tapestries will suit furniture and interiors that are more French in origin while those with an oriental theme will be better suited to zen-like furniture and interiors. This will make sure that the general theme will not clash with the tapestry that you bought for the room.

Choosing a tapestry is not as simple as it looks like but it can be more fun to do.

When we talk about tapestries we can’t help but feel nostalgic or more precisely, feel historic. Tapestries have been around as far back as ancient Greece. The actual value of antique tapestries, therefore, is quite high and we’re not talking about the monetary value alone for that piece of textile hanging in the living room is an important witness to our history.

People used to hang huge textiles on their walls to protect them from the cold. But soon these huge pieces of cloth became more than just that. They became a medium of artistic expressions and the weaving process itself became a precise science in itself. As demand began to increase, centers of tapestry making began to emerge in various places, creating specialties and trademarks. Countries like England, Holland, Italy, and France were identified as places where unique and quality tapestries were produced. The high and the wealthy in society went to these places to commission skillful artisans for huge pieces of art. However, it was in Paris, France where tapestry making was developed into an art form.

French made tapestries were said to incorporate the use of gold threads obviously to showcase the social status of the person who commissioned the piece. It is therefore unfortunate to know that most of these French made tapestries were destroyed during the French revolution precisely because of the gold threads. The poor and the hungry harvested what ever value they can get.

Today, among the oldest surviving tapestries were those made in England during the 14th and 15th centuries. Based on what experts could gather from the tapestries themselves, the oldest ones that we know of came from Barcheston in Warwickshire. Others were from the looms of a Mortlake factory which was supposed to be been operational in the early 1600s.

Among the more well known manufacturers back then include Arras, Beauvais, Aubusson, Feletin, Bruges, Ghent, Gobelins, and Audenarde. These were the favorites of the nobles, kings and queens of old. These manufacturers have their own trademarks and collectors must learn to discern which is which.

But an important piece of information is knowing the fact that the tapestries that came out from these manufacturers have borders which oftentimes are unique to each maker. These borders are usually the first parts destroyed in a tapestry. Therefore, finding an old tapestry with borders still in tact is a great find and can actually be worth quite a lot.

During the course of history, the designs depicted in these tapestries changed from Roman battlefields to aristocrat hunting scenes. And probably one of the precursors of change is when the church actually commissioned the great Raphael to come up with the “Acts of the Apostles” series. This began the age where tapestries were used to imitate famous paintings and painters were included in the process of making one.

It was in the 16th century that tapestry making saw a new light in the guise of the Jacquard loom. The loom was developed in Flanders and brought tapestry making to a wider market. Suddenly kings and queens were not the only ones who can commission the work. But still, the looms were still not as “skillful” as master artisans of the trade who have been hand weaving tapestries for years.

After reading through, you should have seen the importance and value of tapestries. The older ones are more expensive, yes, that thing is for certain. And they are also the most wealthy in terms of historical content.

A tapestry has been considered as a work of art a long time ago. Evidence of this is the value of some of the most artful tapestries made by the ancient master. The Baveux Tapestry is just one example of a tapestry treated as a valuable work of art.

The Baveux Tapestry is an ancient tapestry that depicts events leading into the 1066 invasion of Normans in England. It is a tapestry made of embroidered cloth stretching 20 inches by 230 feet long. There are also Latin annotations written on the tapestry itself. This artful tapestry is displayed at a special museum located in Baveux, in Normandy France. There is also a replica of the tapestry being displayed at Reading in Berkshire, England.

This ancient tapestry's origin is first reported from a written reference from a 1476 inventory of objects contained at the Baveux Cathedral. Although the origins of the said tapestry is still clouded in mystery for lack of actual evidence, it is said to have been commissioned and created by Queen Matilda who was William the Conqueror's wife. It is also said that the Queen's ladies in waiting also had a hand in creating this marvelous piece of tapestry.

But there is also some research that shows the tapestry as being commissioned by Bishop Odo who was William's half-brother. The reason that the early reference to the existence of the Bayeux Tapestry coming from the Bayeux Cathedral which was built by Bishop Odo. Under Odo, the tapestry was said to be done by Anglo Saxon artists and made in England.

The tapestry was rediscovered sometime in the late 17th century in Bayeux where it was being displayed once every year during the Feast of the Relics. Sometime in 1803, it was seized by Napoleon and was transported to Paris. Napoleon wanted to use the Bayeux Tapestry as a source of inspiration for his plans to attack England. But when the invasion plan was canceled, the tapestry was then returned back to Bayeux.

After the tapestry was returned, the townspeople rolled up the tapestry and then stored it like a scroll. It was then seized by the Ahnenerbe where the tapestry then went through World War II in the basement of the Louvre in France. The tapestry is now protected while on display in a museum. It is being stored in a dark room equipped with special lighting and behind sealed glass in order to minimize certain environmental damage that can be caused by light and air.

The Bayeux Tapestry is embroidered in wool yarn on a tabby woven linen ground. Two methods of stitching are used- stem stitch for the lettering and figure outlines and couching for filling the figures. The main yarn colors used are terracotta, dull gold, blue green, olive green and blue. There is also a bit of dark blue, black and sage green used on some portions of the tapestry.

What makes the Bayeux Tapestry so interesting is that, this artwork contains some mysterious entries or figures that seem to go against accepted beliefs. But this may be due to the political propaganda and distorted views that seem to be displayed on some of the portions of the tapestry.

Notwithstanding the mysteries and the controversies, the Bayeux Tapestry is truly considered as a wonderful work of art.

Most tapestries came from Europe and when people decided to move to the New World, they brought along with them a few pieces until the immigrants decided to make their own version which is now known as American tapestry.

American tapestry is very similar to Renaissance designs because it depicts reality but in an American setting. You are sure to find one in every American home you visit even if the family was rich or poor.

Because the industrial revolution did not take shape yet, people were still doing this by hand. Phase one involved creating a detailed drawing. When this was completed, production begins by a process known as warping.

Here, you basically prepare all the materials so in phase 3; the workers will now weave bringing the design to life. The last thing that is done is the finished state where borders are placed on the sides similar to a frame placed to hold a painting. A cotton fabric and rod pocket is then placed so the tapestry can be hung on the wall.

In the years that followed, American tapestry just like the other designs was not used to hang on walls. Some were used as rugs or throws. You already had a choice where to put it as long as this matches with the overall surroundings.

There are even a few tapestry designed bags, handbags, pillows, curtains, bed sheets and blankets now available in the market.

Most of the American tapestry that is produced these days is imported from Belgium or China. They come in different designs and these are normally sold by the yard. The price range of American tapestry could be from under $10 to a little over $30 so you just have to look at various stores in the neighborhood and also online.

American tapestry compared to Medieval, Renaissance, floral or Verdure are very affordable. This is perhaps because it does not capture anything magical or spiritual that the owner can relate to. What it can do however is add life to the home and that is the most important thing you have to ask yourself when you go looking for the right tapestry.

The smallest American tapestry you can find measures 13 by 18 inches while a poster version will measure about 27 to 36 inches. But if you are trying to fill a large wall in the room, you better get something that is as big as a banner. This really depends on the size of your home.

So you don’t have a hard time, it is best to being color samples when you visit the store. Don’t be afraid to spend a little more because cheap ones will bring down the quality of your home. If possible, see if there are some American tapestries made by hand because these are better than those made by a machine. It is also more durable even if it does not require a lot of maintenance to keep it clean and in good condition.

American tapestries are not created on a whim because it has a meaning just like a painting. What it means to the artist may be different to you but as long as there is something there that strikes you, then that is the right one you should get and display in your home.

There is a certain art in making tapestries. And in so doing there are various techniques involved in the creation of this unique work of art. To some, a tapestry may just be some piece of textile. But for the trained eye, every tapestry involves many types of creativity and imagination while it is being made. It has a certain artistry truly unique in its own art form. With this in mind, a tapestry becomes no more an ordinary commodity but a special form of artistic creation.

There are many ways in which a tapestry can be made. There are certain techniques involved in manipulating threads and color and combine them to produce quite interesting images and patterns that make them really unique. And making tapestries not only involves using the imagination and creativity but also a higher level of skill working with the material, which is textile.

There are many techniques involved in the creation of tapestries and rugs. The most notable of this is how the threads that make up the whole tapestry is placed and woven together. The techniques usually vary from where the tapestry is being made or where it originally came from.

There are some forms of tapestries that are made using a flat woven technique. Some of these techniques include brocading and embroidery. Tapestries coming from Turkey as well as some Caucasian and Turkish influenced British creations make use of the technique using what is called the Turkish knot. This is also known as the ghiordes or the symmetrical knot.

There is also another technique called the Persian knot which is typical of tapestries found in Central Asian, Indian and even Chinese tapestries. This technique produces more knots per square inch compared to the Turkish knot, thereby providing more detail and a more defined pattern. This is also known as the sameh or the asymmetric knot technique.

There is also a technique called the Spanish knot that employs the use of knots looped around single alternate warps. This enables the horizontal and vertical lines of the tapestry to become slightly rough and the diagonals smooth. This technique is usually employed in the production of Spanish carpets.

There is also another ancient technique called the Jufti knot in the production of older tapestries. This technique involves covering four warp threads in order to make a coarse weave. Rugs of this sort are usually found in 19th century and 20th Century Eastern Iran.

In choosing good tapestries, having some idea on the techniques involved in the making of such textile works of art would help give a collector the valuable knowledge of knowing the origins of a certain valuable tapestry. And in collecting such decorative tapestries also involves taking very good care of them, especially the more valuable and older types of textiles.

Carefully hanging these valuable artistic tapestries is also important to make sure that they are not damaged in the process. And since quite a number may have a weighty issue especially for those that are larger and thicker, special means of hanging them would be required.

Using simple nails can sometimes be inadequate for such magnificent tapestries hung on walls.

Tapestry is art. It can be considered as it is a unique form of art. To put it simply, Tapestry making is an art made out of textile. It is quite different from your typical ordinary rug, Tapestries are textiles woven by hand using a special type of loom. A tapestry is specially woven and depicts a colorful pattern or image with the warp threads, the horizontal ones, are usually hidden. This allows the tapestry to have a smoother surface. This makes it different from other types of conventional cloth weaving where the warp and weft threads of the textile are usually visible.

A decorative tapestry is usually woven and created with a decorative function in mind. They aim to make the any vacant space look better and brighter than it usually is. Its function can also be considered as a valuable painting that adorns a room, worthy of one’s appreciation. It adds a certain level of elegance and style to any room that also a tapestry might be able to do.

There is a long history behind the art of tapestry making. Its early origin dates back during the Hellenistic times where it was already being used to decorate homes of nobility during ancient times. There have been samples of Greek tapestry, very well preserved and found in parts of the Tarim Basin which dates back as early as 3rd Century BC.

The art of tapestry eventually spread to other parts of Europe. The art became popular in region sometime during 14th Century AD where it enjoyed a surge in production because of increasing demand popularity among the ancient elite. The spread started from Germany and Switzerland and then eventually reached France and the Netherlands as the demand for this form of textile art became even more popular.

The popularity of tapestry as an accepted artwork grew mainly due to its function as well as the potential of it becoming quite a piece of art. Tapestry artwork uniquely combines both its use as a common commodity dressed elegantly in art to be appreciated. But the rapid popularity of tapestry art may also have grown from the convenience that it provides for people, especially from the wealthy set during ancient times who travel a lot.

Many of those who belong to the wealthy and nobility during the ancient times usually wanted to bring along their type of lavish lifestyle along with them even during their travels. This includes a show of their wealth everywhere they go. And when it comes to ringing artwork along with them, paintings seem to pose a challenge in terms of transport. Utmost care has to be followed to make sure that valuable paintings are well protected.

With the development of tapestry, the wealthy and the nobility of ancient times found a way of bringing artwork with them with their travels without having to worry about their upkeep and care. Most tapestry can easily just be rolled up and store appropriately in a safe place, making it even more convenient.

And it may also because of this fact that the popularity of tapestry considered as art considerably increased and the industry flourished.

Decorating a home with tapestry can be a good way of making a unique addition into any room. An interesting tapestry art can very well light up a home in so many different ways. But there is always a proper way in trying to use a tapestry as an attractive home decor. Here are the different ways to do it.

Appreciating tapestry as a decor in a home would depend on how it is being used. A lot of people can wrongly give use artificial lighting in presenting a tapestry in the room. A lot of people may think that using artificial illumination upon a tapestry may give its beauty become the focus of the room. But it does less to give the artwork justice.

A tapestry that hangs upon a wall in the room can be better viewed using only natural lighting. Natural light coming from a window or from a sun roof can be enough to help make the tapestry shine in any room. Natural lighting can be enough to enhance the details exhibited by a certain tapestry. Natural lighting can even quite better than any form of artificial lighting in trying to show the tapestry artwork better.

What's more, natural lighting provides a tapestry with varied effects at different times of the day. The different phases of natural lighting on different times of the day seem to give a tapestry various dramatic effects as the light falls on its surface differently depending on the time of day. This effect can sometimes also affect the ambiance of the whole room, making it a more dynamic.

If used as home decor, a beautiful tapestry should have its own special place in the room. And this should be somewhere its details and beauty can be fully appreciated. Placing a tapestry on a wall properly is also important aside from how it is being illuminated. The wall is the main area where an artful tapestry is placed as a home decor. Tapestry art is a special form of art. Therefore, it should not be treated lightly like just any other type of ordinary textile.

When putting up a decorative tapestry on a wall, it is best to keep it separate from the other wall décor. Putting them together that might cause them to clash for attention with each other which might not work well in a room. It would be better to keep them occupy their own separate space so that a single object can capture one's attention.

Another thing to consider when hanging a tapestry concerns the available wall space. The wall should not just be as big as the tapestry that will hang on it. It should have certain space allowances in order to fit quite well. Make sure that the wall chosen for a certain tapestry has enough room to fit into it with enough space left on its sides.

A good rule of thumb for hanging tapestries is to have a wall with at least four inches allowance or bigger than the tapestry in terms of height and length.

Tapestries, what’s in a name indeed? Yes, there are people today who have not an inkling on what tapestries are. It would be fortunate if they don’t think of it as some pastry or some sort of dessert. Some might have been introduced to the word from the films they’ve seen or books they’ve read. But still, their understanding of what the word describes might be different from what the object really is. So let’s stop his hoopla and begin discussing what tapestries are and what they are not.

Tapestries are big wall decorative fixtures. That’s one way of simply explaining it but the definition is an over simplification of what they are, the historic significance and the impact it had to history. Wait a minute, from overly simplifying things, you might think that I’m exaggerating the importance a bit. Actually, not really.

Making a tapestry is an art form. In fact, it is one of the oldest form of textile art. If we’re going to be strict about it, a tapestry can be described as a thick piece of fabric which has intricate designs and images created by weaving various colored threads into fixed warp threads. The closely woven the threads are the more detailed the images they can produce. Now, in those times weaving tapestries is done by hand. And depending on the design and the size of one, it may take months or even years for a group of weavers to complete.

Tapestry making has been around since the classical antiquity. There are tapestries that have been handed down from generations to generations. The practice of owning a tapestry lies on the ancient tradition that the presence of a hand-woven tapestry symbolizes wealth, power, and importance.

But tapestries were hanged on the walls of the homes of the wealthy and powerful also because of another reason: to protect the inhabitants from the cold during the winter months. These are some of the reasons why from the ancient Greeks up until and beyond the Middle Ages, tapestries seem to be a constant fixture in houses especially of residences of nobles and the courts of kings.

The designs began as simple and plain. But later on artists began to explore the medium. As new influence in arts began to surface, the designs with tapestries also began to be more intricate and more complicated. From simple and plain, the designs began to include group images, scenes, etc.

Among the popular images shown in tapestries include stories from the Bible, Greek mythologies, scenes of hunting, and peasants working. Sometimes, those who will commission the manufacturer of these tapestries will request that they, the owner, be included in the artwork disguised to some extent, of course.

In the 14th and 15th centuries, France was at the center of the textile industry and not surprisingly, there were lots of tapestries that came from the area. Fine wool tapestries were the specialties of the area. Unfortunately, during the French revolution, most of the works were destroyed since most of the tapestries at that time contained gold threads.

Later on, Flanders became the center of tapestry production. Today, tapestries are still being produced but the most valuable are the ones during the made from the 16th to the 19th centuries.

So, the next time you encounter the word tapestry, you won’t grope around your dictionary to find the definition. Tapestries, what’s in a name?

So you are thinking of giving your home a unique twist? Why not consider buying and using tapestry as a decorative material. There are many creative ways you can enliven your home with a tapestry, a fabric that is woven by hand or in a jacquard machine using different colorful threads. Tapestries can be hung to make for an interesting piece of artwork or be used as an accent for furniture.

If the idea of using tapestry in your home is new to you but something which you are willing to try, then it might not hurt to know and remember a few things about choosing and buying a tapestry. When you decide to buy a tapestry, there are some things you would need to consider.

Tapestries can be made of different kinds of materials, so choose which kind of tapestry you would like to have. Smaller tapestries are made of woven cotton. The larger ones are made of cotton, wool or a combination of different kinds of materials, such as cotton, wool and silk. You should also look out for tapestries that are made with care for quality. A good tapestry must not be prone to oxidisation, meaning it would not lose its rich color or darken when exposed to air or sunlight.

Tapestries usually have rich colors and patterns, but take note that antique tapestries could be washed out. Don’t fret over this as sometimes, a little fading can actually give your tapestry a unique character. However, if you prefer vivid colors for your tapestry, you can keep them as such by keeping the tapestry away from direct sunlight.

There are many designs that you can choose from. Tapestry weavers come up with a variety of patterns and designs that it is often hard to select one that would be perfect for your home. Designs can include different depictions of country life or city life, nature, still life, court scenes, mythological and historical figures, religious images, even reproduction of classic paintings.

The satisfaction of buying a beautifully made tapestry does not end with just putting it on display for your family or guests to admire. You would be delighted after having bought a tapestry that just suits your taste and style, and which is woven to high quality. You would not, however, wish that the money you spent for good-value tapestry would be put to waste. So, make sure to maintain the quality of your tapestry by giving it the proper care it needs. Regularly dust your tapestry using a soft brush. Any problem that you may have with creases can be solved with steam-ironing.

If the tapestry has lining, it is all right to steam iron it, but a soft cloth must be placed on top of the crease. For tapestries without lining, you should have the tapestry’s back facing up. Place a soft cloth or something similar, such as muslin cloth, over the crease and dry iron it. It is not advisable to use a steam iron for tapestries without lining as it may damage the material.

Moreover, you can have your tapestry dry-cleaned by a reputable dry cleaning shop. If you happen to have purchased antique tapestry, there are dry cleaning centers that specialize in the wash or repair of antique tapestry.

Just remember that when you’re buying tapestries, it does not end with the purchase. You have to take care of your purchase so your grandchildren and their grandchildren can still appreciate it.

If you used to hang an old tapestry on the wall and it is not as good as before, you can try to have it repaired or restored. If this does not work, you have no choice but to replace it with a new one. As for the old one, you can still do something with instead of just throwing it away in the trash. Here are a few ideas.

First, you can make a tapestry bag out of the old cloth. For that, you must fold the tapestry in half. Work first from left to right with the right sides together. Now you stitch the sides together using a heavy duty needle and upholstery weight thread.

Since this will turn the tapestry into a rough cylinder, you can now turn the piece right side out and position the main design so people will see it on one side of the bag. Turn the back inside out again and stitch along the bottom.

Now that your tapestry makes a rough cylinder, turn the piece right-side out and position the main design so it is on one side of the bag. Carefully turn the piece back inside-out, and stitch along the bottom.

The last thing to do will be to stitch a belt to the sides so the bag has a strap. Some of the things you can use include a guitar strap, an old bag or sea belt webbing.

If you still have some fabric lying around, make smaller versions with the remainder. You can surely make a cosmetic bag then just add a zipper so the contents do not fall off inside the bag. To help you get started, look for ways to do this in craft books and online.

For those who don’t want to sow, another option will be to cut the tapestry and then use this as a rug. This is better than buying one from the store knowing that especially when you are just using this to collect dirt from the footwear that people wore coming from outside.

If you have a pet, use this as their bedding. This will surely keep them warm at night whenever the weather gets cold.

Should the tapestry be not suited as a rug or bedding, you can cut these into wide strips and use it as wrapping packages. With Christmas less than 2 months away, you can use this as a ribbon then add a few other things to make it look presentable.

You can also use the old tapestry as a protective cover whenever you or your kids are doing some artwork as this will prevent paint, glue, glitters and a lot more from going to your carpet.

Did you know that money can be made old tapestry? Yes you can when you are able to sell it to someone who makes bags, rugs and other items from the fabric. If you don’t have that much, perhaps it is best to give it way to charity so someone will be able to use it.

Your old tapestry is worth nothing if it has holes of it the color have already faded. From the examples cited, you realize that there are a lot of other things you can do with your old tapestry instead of just throwing it in the trash. You should just use your imagination and ingenuity because what may seem as trash to you could be opportunity to someone else.

Centuries ago, tapestries were done by hand. It sometimes took years to finish and the final product is something to behold. Unfortunately, they don’t make tapestries like they used to so which is better, tapestries made by man or machine?

Of course there are pros and cons with both techniques. If this was done by hand, it will take time to produce one and it will be very challenging to make an exact copy. The factors which affect the production process include amount of detail and the fineness or coarseness of the sett.

The sett is the vertical threads through which colored yarns are interwoven. The sett for most tapestries uses about 4 to 8 threads which is an improvement from the past as this sometimes takes more than 20 threads.

What a craftsman does by hand in days can be done by a machine in a matter of hours. This means that you can produce the same design in mass quantities. The only downside is that it is not able yet to produce the amount of color detail, variation and gradation that a genuinely hand made tapestry can achieve.

Does this affect the price of a tapestry? It could but you have to remember that how it is made is just one of the factors because there are other things that people have to take into consideration. Such issues involve who made the tapestry, the cost of the materials, the cost of labor and the reputation of the maker.

If the tapestry company has been doing this for years and have had a lot of orders from customers around the world, naturally the price of their products will go up compared to a startup company who is trying to establish a foothold in the business.

The truth about tapestries is that there are only a few people who still do this the traditional way. This means you might have a hard time finding someone who does this by hand when the market is swamped with companies who use computers and machines to produce various designs.

But does this eliminate creativity? Of course not because technology is simply a tool that makes it easier for craftsmen to come up with a design and iron out all the mistakes before production gets started. This makes things more efficient and all the products look just like the ones that came before it.

So which is better man made or machine made tapestry? That will be up to you to decide because some people don’t mind having a tapestry made by a machine as long as it looks good. But if you want to argue quality, then it is hands down for one that is man made. You just have to wait a few weeks or even months before you can pick it up and then display it unlike those that are machine made which can delivered to you in less time.

But who knows? There may come a time when someone is able to fix improve the quality of the tapestries made just like how this is done by hand. We have been able to accomplish a lot thanks to new technology so there is nothing that stop this from actually happening. When that day comes, machine has truly replaced man’s ability to do just about anything including making tapestries.

Tapestries are great accents to the home. That is if the tapestry that you bought complements the room’s interiors. Otherwise, it will only look foreboding and will overwhelm the room. You see tapestries can make the room appear different as with other pieces of furniture and room accents. The trick is to know when and where to out so as not to waste the beauty of this great work of art.

Essentially, the tapestry functions the same way as a sculpture or a painting. They are accents to bare walls and areas in the room that have open spaces. Usually, they are hanged on bare walls and become great conversation pieces when the pattern or design is interesting enough.

However, tapestries can bring a lot into the room and sometimes, it an become the make or break part of the room especially if it is large enough to become the focal point of the entire room in the house. Here are some of the things that you have to consider when buying a tapestry for your home. Check each one out. They are valuable points that will help you avoid buying tapestries that do not exactly fit the room you are in.

Size matters
Tapestries can make a room appear smaller than it really is. This can be a problem if the room that you put the tapestry into is small in the first place. Tapestries are great ways to fill up big spaces but if you do not have much space; then it is not a good idea to buy one. Tapestries can easily overwhelm a room especially if the design or pattern is intricate.

Color scheme
The colors in the tapestries can easily clash with the rest of the room so be careful in choosing the design that you want. Because most tapestries depict sceneries and multiple pictures, the colors that you will be basing on is the primary color used. This is often used as the background or as the framing color. Some tapestries will also have prevailing shades. Often, the really old ones will have undertones of red.

Colors should always match or at the very least complement the color schemes of the room. This is especially true if you have a scheme going on for the entire room.

Patterns and designs
The picture in the tapestries is also important especially if you have an ongoing theme in the room that you are going to put the tapestry into. For instance if your furniture are mostly simple with a zen-like design, the design of the tapestry should be more of the oriental theme as this will fit the room.

The same goes with furniture that are wooden or those that have a more French appeal. There are lots of designs that you can choose from. So before you check the tapestries out, look into the general feel of the room and look for the patterns and designs that will suit it.

Looking for the perfect tapestry is not as easy as it looks but it is not impossible to do. With imagination, you can actually turn the search for the perfect tapestry into an adventure in interior decorating.

Who knows, it may even be your first taste of designing your own home interiors?

Tapestries have been done for years. If you are considering taking this up as a hobby and making one, here are a few tips to get you started.

First, decide is what type and size of tapestry do you want to make. When we say type, we are referring to the theme of the tapestry, the fabric that will be used and how this will be mounted. As for size, we are talking about how big it will be since this will be displayed in one part of the house.

Next, there are two ways to make tapestry. You can sew this by hand or with the help of a sewing machine. If this is small, sure you can do this by hand but you should also take into consideration whether this will be trimmed or not and what fabric you will be using.

One you have decided, the only thing to do is prepare the materials. If you don’t have them, purchase this from the craft store. To check if you have everything you need, lay it out and do a last minute check.

Craftsmen in the past had an idea what they wanted to make so you should do the same and the best way to do that is to come up with a drawing and then use this as a guide. This should be done patiently so you avoid making any mistakes and it doesn’t matter whether you are doing this by hand or with the help of a machine.

Before you begin with your needle, make sure the edges of the canvass are framed. You can do this by putting masking tape on the edges or hemming it with a sewing machine. So you don’t have a hard time taking it out. It will be best to use the first option.

If you are still having a hard time, use a tapestry frame as this will hold the canvas and prevent the design from being distorted.

It is normal to feel tired after working on the pattern for hours. If you feel tired, stop, take a break and then continue work after you have rested. Always look at your work and the drawing so you know you are right on track with what you are doing.

One of the most challenging aspects of making a tapestry is the ending which is known as blocking. Yes we have used a tapestry frame to keep the design from being distorted but most of the time, this will still happen.

To fix this, dampen the canvas with some water and pin the corners to the desired shape and leave it for a few hours. When you come back, it will look exactly just like the picture which you have used as a blueprint.

Making a tapestry is not easy and it is going to take a lot of patience. Before you make a big one, perhaps you should start first with a small one and see how well you perform.

Remember, this is a just a hobby so there is no deadline when this will be finished. Just have fun and the rest will follow because you are sure to perform better when you are relaxed. After a few weeks or months, you can step back and be proud knowing that you did a splendid job making your first ever tapestry.

Hanging a tapestry in your wall is one way to make sure that your home will be interesting. Adding this wall décor will not only make your home more expensive looking, It will also create a more eclectic and foreign ambiance.

Tapestries are great conversation pieces especially those that have unique scenes depicted. Often, it serves the function of a painting on the wall except that the tapestry is made of cloth and not painted on canvas.

But finding the perfect tapestry for your home is not as easy as you might think. Often, you will find it hard to buy the one that will suit the room that you want to put it into. Remember that though tapestries can be appealing, it can also be hard to integrate in the room’s interiors especially if the look of the room is more or less themed.

Tapestries also rarely work on interiors that are not well lighted. They can be large and the colors are often dark. Small rooms are also not good for tapestries as these often large pieces will just overwhelm the room’s size. Decorators recommend getting a tapestries for rooms that are large, with high ceiling and of course with really bare walls that can use some perking up.

That is why it is important to look into the room first when buying a tapestry. Before deciding on the piece, make sure that you need to buy a piece in the first place. Tapestries do not work well with just any room. When you are not sure, you can always ask an interior decorator or even just someone whose eye for the arts is good.

If you don’t know anybody, you can always do some research over the internet and see if you can find tapestry shopping tips on websites and blogs. You will be surprised at the amount of information that you can get from the internet nowadays. If you are lucky, you can even join forums where you can get to ask somebody who is an expert on tapestries.

You can also visit your local stores and see if they have tapestries. Often, stores that sell carpets will also have tapestries in them. If you cannot find one, you can always ask people you know who are always traveling. They will be able to find you a good piece in some Asian countries like India and Malaysia, which are known for their intricate weaving industry.

If you are still lacking in information and inspiration, you can always visit the local bookstore and look for books on tapestries or interiors. That way, you will be able to see rooms that have tapestries hanging in their walls. This way, you will be able to visualize the feel and look of a tapestry inside a room. You can also get some great tips from these books. Some will even have a list of stores that you can visit for their tapestrires.

All in all, tapestries are great way to make your house unique but be careful in buying them and make sure that it will have a home in your home. Not all tapestries are great to look at. Some can be an eyesore not because of their designs but because of their fit to the room involved.

Tapestries are decorative pieces of artwork just like paintings. If you don’t want it to be damaged, it is best you learn how to properly take care and clean it.

The first thing you have to know is how to properly display it. Since most tapestries are hung, look for the sleeve or rod pocket located at the back. It is there so that a dowel or rod will be able to go in and then you can put this securely over the brackets.

If this was delivered to you by parcel, it may have some creases. To fix it, get your iron and use it gently over the affected area.

When it comes to cleaning tapestries, the good news is that it does not require a lot of maintenance. You just have to vacuum it once or twice a year both in the front and back. Never wash your tapestry as this could ruin the fabric. This can be dry cleaned but make sure this is done by a company that specializes in dry cleaning this item.

There are times that your tapestry may bend, curl or look like wave and this is usually caused by a change in the weather. One way to fix it is to put weights at the bottom corners. This should be placed evenly so you don’t apply too much stress to just one section of your tapestry.

Another option will be to get a wooden rod or dowel and also put this on the bottom corner of the tapestry. To do that, you have to create your own sleeve in the bottom and then insert a rod that must be a little shorter than the tapestry that should do the trick.

Tapestries may fade due to direct sunlight. To prevent that from happening, put it somewhere else or apply window film or tint to reduce the amount of ultraviolet light coming from the window.

For those who want to give their tapestry an antique look, you can try having it washed or tea stained. Again, make sure this is done by a professional to prevent it from being damaged.

If you have children in the house, make sure the tapestry is out of their reach. If they pull on it, they could damage the fabric. The same goes if you plan to use the tapestry as a rug because your pet could chew it to pieces.

Tapestries are not only hung on walls because they can also be used as a rug or a throw. It is your option how you want to display it but just remember how much you paid it.

You can easily find tapestries for sale in your neighborhood store or online. Since there are so many designs to choose from, you are sure to find something that will match your home. If you want to display one design for one season and another in the following months, knock yourself out because if it is not available in one store, you are use to find it in another.

It is one thing to buy a tapestry and another to take care of it. By following the instructions mentioned, the tapestry you have is sure to last for many years before its time to replace it with a new one.

Tapestries are wonderful ways to dress up a bare wall in your home but not all tapestries are great looking. Some can be hideous. Instead of keeping your house beautiful, it will only serve to crowd the interiors. Below are some tips on how to buy the perfect tapestry that will look good inside your house.

But hey before you actually buy a tapestry, make sure that you do have a wall to place it in. The room should also be large enough to accommodate the big presence that the tapestry will have. Otherwise the room will feel small and crowded.

If you have surveyed your house and you still feel that a tapestry will add more appeal to the room, then go out and buy one with these tips in mind.

1. Check the size
The size of the tapestry that you will be buying will depend a lot on the size of the room and the wall where you will be putting it into. Remember that a tapestry can make a room feel small. If you do not have a lot of wall room or if the room is not as large, then buy a tapestry that is smaller in size but still interesting to look at. It will function the same way as a painting on a wall for instance. This is especially true if the ceiling is not high enough.

2. Choose a great color
The color of the tapestry that you will be buying should also depend on the color scheme of the room you are putting it into. The color should match or at least complement the room color. Too dark pieces are also more suited to serious rooms like the study or the library while cheery and artsy tapestries can be out up in the living room to serve as a conversation piece. Some tapestries are of course very colorful. When you check the color, look for the color that will dominate the whole artwork. Often, this is the color of the background or the frame.

3. Detail
Tapestries are appealing because of the detail and the intricate design that it has. When buying tapestries make sure that you go for pieces that are more detailed and more unique. This is especially true if you are putting it up in the living room where guests will get a chance to view them.

Details like embroidered frames will also make the piece more unique and more expensive looking.

4. Picture
Tapestries will most often than not depict a scene. In choosing a design, make sure that it is also suited to the room where you are going to put them into. The Living room for instance can have brighter and more dynamic designs while tapestries bought for the bedroom should have a more relaxing appeal. The colors should be muted or at the very least relaxing.

5. Quality
A good quality tapestry will serve you in good stead. It will add presence to your room for a long time. Tapestries that are well made are also can be washed over and over again without you having to worry that it will become worn-looking. One thing to check is the way it was sewed and made. Look for loose threads and edges that have frayed.

Tapestries are just as good to have as paintings. With hundreds of designs to choose from, you are sure to find the right one which you can display in your home.

But before you go buying your wall tapestry, you have to measure the wall so you get one that is not too big or too small. Ideally, this should not fit the entire wall but right on the center with some allowance on the left and right side.

Since well designed and made tapestries go for hundreds of dollars, be sure to choose one which you can hand down like a family heirloom.

One way to do that is to bring along swatch samples of your couch, curtain or anything else in the room so you have an idea if the design you pick will work with your theme.

You can also check what material is the tapestry made of so this also matches with the furniture and the curtains in the room even if it is rare that you will find one made by hand since most of these are made by machine.

If you have found a good tapestry, don’t buy it yet and tell the person to reserve it. That way, you can check out other stores which may also have the same design and compare their prices. If this is the best price, one last place to check before you buy it and bring it home is online.

When you buy a tapestry, this does not come with its own rod and brackets. That is something you have to buy separately so when you are choosing one from the hardware store, make sure it can support the weight of the tapestry otherwise it could sag or even break later on.

Since tapestries have a tendency to bend, curl or wave later on, prepare for it right now by getting some weights that you can put at the bottom end. Another option will be to put a rod in between by sowing your own sleeve at the bottom.

For those who don’t want to hang it using a rod, another option will be to buy brads and tacks. Just make sure you have enough tacks to prevent the tapestry from sagging. You can also use Velcro by nailing on one on the wall and sewing a strip of heavy cotton will on the tapestry.

You can buy tapestries from stores but if you money is not an option, go visit an art dealer who will have better items to offer. If you happen to see one in a museum, ask them about it because they may have a reproduced copy in store waiting for you.

Tapestries have been around for hundreds of years and in a time when paintings were not the trend, this is what the rich and famous displayed in their castles and palaces.

Because these are now in mass production, you will find a variety of these around and not only for your walls. There are also tapestries that can be used as throws or rugs so go out there and get them. So this will last for many years, clean it using a light brush or vacuum cleaner at least once or twice a year and avoid letting it get direct contact with sunlight.

Tapestries may seem like blankets with pictures on it. But they can add so much to the room’s appeal when put up or hanged. Although it is already rare for people to be hanging tapestries in their rooms nowadays— what with the more modern artworks that have been cropping up— these olden works of arts are still wonderful room accents that can change the look of the room in one second.

Here are some of the functions that tapestries have in rooms. If you have these interior problems, think about it. Tapestries may just be your answer.

1. Bare wall
With a large bare wall and a high ceiling, the tapestries is the best and cheapest way to dress the room up and fill up the space. Although most people would want to hang a painting, sometimes buying these pieces of artwork can be very expensive especially those that are large in size. Besides, it is not often that you will find such a large painting. You will have to customized the fit by commissioning an artist to actually paint one for the wall.

Thus, tapestries are the next best alternative. They are large, long and cheaper than paintings. This is not to say that tapestries are cheap. They are not. In fact, tapestries with great detailing can be very expensive especially those that have come from Persia or the antique ones that date back from the French revolution.

2. Conversation piece
Tapestries can serve as a great conversation piece when put in the living room or in areas where visitors and guests are being entertained. This is especially true if the home owner is a know traveler and the piece have been bought on one of the travels abroad. Tapestries can be really unique especially here in the United States as they are often being produced in Middle Eastern countries and those that are within the European borders. Some Asian countries are also known to produce great pieces.

3. Focal point
Tapestries like painting are great focal points in a room. In fact, if the piece is relatively great to look at, you can actually decorate the room around the picture or pattern that it has. For instance, if the tapestry has an oriental theme then furniture should be kept simple or done oriental style. On the other hand, if it is French in descent the furniture should be more of the French period.

Even the colors can also start with the tapestries being the focal point. Colors that dominate the artwork can become the central colors of the entire room. Even the general feel of the accessories and room accents— whether quirky, somber, gothic or period— can depend upon the pictures being depicted on the tapestry.

4. Room accents
Not all tapestries are large. There are some that are small in size and functions as a painting. These are often put on a frame or hanged in rooms like the library or the study. Tapestries serve to provide a unique appeal to the room as the scenes that it depict scenes that are interesting. Besides with tapestries not being a common thing in the United States, they add a certain uniqueness to the room that can make your home a stand out from the rest of the pack.

Tapestries were quite popular back in the old days basically due to a couple of reasons. One, because these huge textiles when hung on the walls of castles and homes can ward of the cold. Two, these are status symbols for the powerful and the wealthy. And three, the portability of these wall decorations allow the owners to transfer them from one castle resident to another. This is also why tapestries have been conveniently passed down from generations. This is also a reason why quite a number of old tapestries still exist today. Today, there are some famous tapestries much like the famous works of art of painters and sculptors.

Probably the golden age of tapestry making can be traced to Paris, France during the 12th century. But the revolutionary war that occurred in the country forced the tapestry weavers to migrate and eventually settling in Flanders which now is Belgium and the northern France regions. Among the oldest tapestries today is the seven tapestry series Apocalypse of Angers. The date indicates it was commission in the late 1300s. The tapestries measure 16.5 feet high and about 80 feet long, quite the standard during those times.

Subjects for tapestries vary but cultural and societal influences play major roles in this. Tapestries depicted subject matters from nature and landscapes to fantasy, historical accounts and scenes to Biblical stories, from Greek mythology to ordinary hunting scenes of the aristocracy, and from impressionist and modern art. Basically any designer can create a design for a tapestry but everything lies on the how skillful a weaver is.

Historians and conservationists recognized the importance of these tapestries not only for their visual value as an art work but also as their significance in history. In fact, the World Heritage Sites identified some of the more famous tapestries around the world, most of which are included in declared heritage sites.

Among the famous tapestries include those found in the cathedrals and castles of Cracow in Poland. Also mentioned is the Golden Mountains of Altai Pazyryk carpet which is dated in the 5th century BC Pazyryk and said to be a product of an Achaemenid carpet production centre. Seljuk carpets in Istanbul are also among the Heritage’s list of famous carpets.

And of course the 105 carpets prepared by Le Brun for the Louvre in Paris as well as the tapestries by Rafael which hang in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican are worth to mention.

Other famous tapestries include the Sampul tapestry which is now in Urumqi Xinjiang Museum in China. The work is of woolen origin and probably was created somewhere in the 3rd and 2nd century BC. Another ancient or historic work is the Hestia Tapestry in Egypt which is dated to be around the 6th century.

One of the more popular tapestries, but definitely the largest one, is The Apocalypse Tapestry which whos the scenes from the Book of Revelation. Created between 1373 and 1382, the whole thing was supposed to be 140 meter or 459 feet long. However, due to damage, what remains is just 100 meters. The Apocalypse Tapestry can be viewed in Château d'Angers, in Angers, France.

Another work housed in Paris is the six-part piece La Dame à la Licorne which translates to The Lady and the Unicorn. There are a lot more famous tapestries that probably fell one way or the other in the hands of queens and kings found in the Spanish royal collection. You can find a huge collection of Flanders tapestry here.

Through the years, various tapestries have been acknowledged for its magnificent artwork. To give you an idea, here are a few of them.

The first tapestry shows evidence that one of the first made was done by the Greeks. This is referred to as the Sampul tapestry that was discovered in the Tarim Basin inside a mass grave dating back to the 3rd century BC.

The tapestry represents a Greek soldier while some argue that it is a centaur. Regardless of who is in the figurine, more than 24 different kinds of thread were used in making it. People will be able to see this when they visit the Xinjiang Museum in Urumqi, China.

Three centuries later, the Hestia tapestry was discovered. This one stands out because this was made from both linen and wool. People who would like to see it will be happy to know that this is displayed in Washington D.C.

Some tapestries tell the audience a story and this is exactly what you see in the Bayeux tapestry. The drawings explain the events leading up to the Norman invasion of England and the invasion itself with what is happening written in Latin. If you want to see the original, you will have to go to a museum in Normandy, France or just enjoy its replica in Berkshire, England.

The longest tapestry in the world is the Apocalypse tapestry and this depicts scenes from the Book of Revelation. It took 9 years to finish and sadly, only 100 meters is left of this artwork.

Everyone is well aware of the paintings of Michelangelo in the Sistine chapel. But are you aware that there were also tapestries here that have historical significance? Yes, there are a few of these designed by Raphael. These depicted in the life of St. Peter and St. Paul as described in the gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. Only a handful of these survive as many of these were either burned or stolen when Rome was sacked during the 16th century.

When the production of tapestries moved from northern France to Belgium, it was here that the Spanish royal collection was made. It consists of 8,000 meters of historical tapestry with some designed by Goya himself. The challenging part given the large number of artwork made is that you won’t see this all in one museum since this is displayed in various historical buildings.

The nice thing about these works of art is that you don’t have to visit these places just to see it up close and personal. Because there is a demand for these pieces, museums and art dealers are selling replicas of these to the public. You just have to find someone who specializes in this and then buy it from them so you can display it in your home.

If you don’t want a replica, you can choose from the various designs available or commission someone to make your own personal tapestry.

There are other famous tapestries aside from those mentioned. Unfortunately, there are only a handful of these that are still made old fashioned way when it can be produced in vast quantities thanks to new technology. Some argue that this improves the quality of these products but there are limits to what it can do compared to the talent of a person.

Having antique tapestries and tapestry in your collection of art can also be a good investment as well as a good way to preserve this wonderful craft. Tapestries can be among the most beautiful objects in a wide selection of art collection. Not only do they add variety to an interesting art collection, they also can be good enough to care and preserve for posterity. But just like any other piece of art, tapestries also need to be taken cared of. Tapestries can easily be subjected to the most abuse as well as being threatened by the harsh elements. That is why caring for antique tapestries can be a time consuming job and may take a bit of expertise.

The term tapestry was originally used to describe those ancient coverings for furniture, tapestries has generally been divided between two areas of notable origin, the Asian as well as the Western types of tapestries. Asian tapestries are known to be older and more opulent with the long tradition of the craft started from early makers located in central Asia, the Middle East, India, and China.

The Western tradition of creating tapestries was said to have originated also from the Asian traditional craft. The Asian tradition of building artful tapestries was established much earlier than the Western version. It is said that the earliest European tapestries were produced sometime in the 12th and 13th century Spain, which had developed the craft with the help of their Islamic ties.

Next to Spain, France became the most important centre of tapestry manufacture during the 17th and 18th centuries. There were tapestry manufacturers established in France that was based on the traditional eastern techniques. Next in line came the production of tapestries in 16th century and the early part of the 17th century in England. Since then, the production of the tapestries has become a popular craft that has spread all over the world from then on.


Today, commercial tapestry weaving makes use of traditional motifs, but there are also modern tapestries that make use of a little bit more modern approach to designs. In many good tapestries today, there are no fixed patterns, only patterns created by the mind. Antique tapestries were totally handmade and have a greater level of artistry injected upon them.

Most of the tapestries today now employ the use of various machines to create exquisite as well as sophisticated designs on tapestries to make them even more beautiful. But it is still the ancient tapestries of the past that many collectors try to find and add into the collection. The reason mainly is that it is the past tapestries that showed more the artistry of the makers.

A tapestry seems to have something unique and enticing, especially when someone produces it beautifully with their own hands.

Tapestries are a great addition to the home. For those who are considering displaying this instead of a painting, here are some questions that people frequently ask.

First, how do you hang tapestry? Well, there are two ways to do it. You can either use a wooden dowel or a decorative rod. You do this by putting in the rod through a hidden pocket similar to what you do when you hang a curtain which you can easily get it from the hardware store.

The difference with the two is that the wooden dowel can only hold short tapestries while the decorative rod can hold longer ones. To make it look nice, you can hang a set of tieback tassels that coordinate with the colors in the tapestry on each of the rod. Another suggestion will be to use other decorative items to accentuate the tapestry.

But what if the tapestry you purchased does not have a hidden pocket for the rod? If that is case, don’t worry because you can make one by getting some thread. The other option is to use special clips which can also be attached to a rod.

What do you do if the tapestry has creases? The only way to get rid of creases is to iron it out. If you have steamer, that shouldn’t be a problem but if you are using an iron, put the tapestry on an ironing board face down including a soft cloth along the crease. Gently iron it until the crease has been removed.

If there is a flaw in the tapestry, does this mean it is a factory defect? When we see this in clothes, the answer is yes but in the case of tapestry, the answer is no. This is because hand woven tapestries are individual woven on a loom which means you can’t expect it uniform. Of course the story is different when this is made by a machine which is why you should check it carefully before leaving the store.

How do you clean tapestry? The best thing about tapestries is that it requires low maintenance. This means you can get it cleaned by using a light brush or vacuuming the front and back once or twice a year. You also have the option of bringing it to the laundry for dry cleaning.

What if the bottom part of the tapestry curls? Such things happen because of the weather and the only way to stop this from happening is put some weight in the bottom. The other option will be to sow a pocket in the bottom so a rod can be inserted because the more pull it provides, the greater the chances that crease issue will be resolved.

Should tapestries be only displayed indoors? The answer is no but be warned that frequent exposure to direct sunlight will make the fabric of the tapestry fade. If you still want to display it outside, make sure that this in hung somewhere that does not get a lot of exposure from the sun.

Now that you know a thing or two about tapestries, you should not have problem displaying and taking care of it. The only challenge now is finding one that will follow the overall theme of the room.

Here’s the situation, you have a centuries old tapestry that have been passed down from generations to generation in your family. It is very old and simply damaging it is not an option. You know you will be haunted if your ancestors found out that the tapestry got ruined under you watch. There are several caring tips for your tapestries that would help you maintain them so you can pass them down to your children as your parents and grand parents did before you.

First things first, tapestries were made to be hanged. So it would be best to remove the tapestries from the storage room and find a wall somewhere where you could place them. So the first caring tip that you should know is how to hang tapestries correctly. Improperly placed tapestries can and will damage them in the long run.

When hanging tapestries, you will have to consider the weight and placing the appropriate support to keep the weigh of the fabric balanced. You can use a rod to hang the tapestries or a backing fabric, both of which are provided in most modern tapestries. However, you might encounter some problems with antique ones that don’t have rod pockets sewn on the fabric. If that is the case, you might have to employ someone to fix or sew the rod pockets for you but it is important to go to persons that deal with old tapestries to avoid further damage on the fabric. Using Velcro has been recommended before but due to the weight of some tapestries, sticking Velcro on the back of the fabric might bring more damage than good.

Also, if you don’t know what you’re doing, stop. Let the experts to those stuff. One of the things that you should not do is to cut the corners. I don’t know what your reasons would be for doing that, but that is something that you should not do especially if the piece of tapestry is a really old and valuable one.

Now back to the hanging, or tapestry hanging rather. You need to consider the climate in your area as well when hanging your tapestries. If you live in a more humid environment, then it would be better to create some space between your fabric and the wall just to avoid molds growing on both the walls and the tapestry.

Cleaning your tapestry comes with the territory of caring for it. The reason why your age old tapestry survived and is hanging on y our wall is due to the fact that your parents and grandparents were very careful with it and used proper cleaning methods. Now, you are quite fortunate today since you have several technological cleaning innovations at your disposal.

For instance, vacuuming the tapestry for dirt is one of the basic regular cleaning that your tapestry needs. By removing the dust on a regular basis, you prevent them from accumulating on the surface. You might have to dust the fabric as well.

That’s at least the way to clean the surface of the fabric. However, when tapestries need some really thorough cleaning you will need to consult the experts. Tapestries are quite sensitive. Sometimes even plain water can proved to be damaging since tapestries are made from different materials including the threads and color dyes used.

Here are just a few caring tips for you tapestries. Hopefully you can make your own last so your little ones can enjoy them in the years to come.