TAPESTRY WEAVE :-

TAPESTRY WEAVE:-

Tapestry weave.

STRUCTURE, PROPERTIES, USES & TYPES OF TAPESTRY WEAVE.

tapestry weave.

DEFINATION OF TAPESTRY WEAVE:-

Tapestry weave is a form of traditional textile art that is handwoven on a loom. It is woven with a variety of colored weft (horizontal) yarn, interlaced with the warp (vertical) to form a creative pattern. The tapestry weave is usually fragile and unbalanced with a weft covering several warps. This weave is unique as a result of its simplicity. It is not restricted to colors or patterns. This feature enhances its quality as the result of every tapestry weaving is a detailed piece of art. 

HISTORY OF TAPESTRY WEAVE :-

The origin of tapestry weave dates back hundreds of years ago. This weave is a familiar piece of art to a lot of people and cultures. Its origin can be traced back to the Egyptians and Incas who used tapestry-woven clothes to bury their dead. However, this incredible craft was brought to light by the French medieval tapestry weavers. 

Eventually, tapestry weave was recognized by the 13th and 14th-century churches, which used these pieces to teach Bible stories to their illiterate congregation. The oldest piece of tapestry is the Apocalypses of St. John. Tapestry also became a scale for measuring class in the middle ages as kings would carry them from tent to tent and exchange them as a victory prize when a war is won.

Tapestry weave saw a wave of change during and after the French Revolution. While a lot of factories were burnt down, there were positive advancements too. One of these was the invention of the Jacquard Mechanical Loom. This invention paved the way for tapestry production in bulk, making it available to a wide range of consumers. The invention of the Jacquard Mechanical Frame Loom forms the basis of modern tapestry techniques.

Types of Tapestry weave:-

There are basically 4 types of tapestry weaves. 

1) Single Weft Tapestry:-

With its name, you can already tell it's simple to make. Single weft tapestry is the simplest of all types of tapestries. It is done with single wefts, interchanging between the front and back of the weave, to produce a design with the same number of colors and the same number of different weft yarns. 

2) Two Weft Tapestry:-

This type of tapestry is a little more technical than a single weft tapestry. In this case, 2 weft picks of different colors are required to complete a horizontal row. In addition, the warps are more regular, allowing the wefts to glide both in front and behind the design.

3) Three Weft Tapestry:-

If we required more colors in the fabric. Then a three-weft tapestry is just perfect. .To make a horizontal row design, we  will neef need 3 weft yarns of different colors. While weaving, one yarn stays on the front side, while the other two are displayed behind. 

4) Combined Warp and Weft Tapestry:-

In making a combined warp and weft tapestry, more warp and weft yarns are required. This increases the diversity of the pattern. When weaving, 3-5 figuring warps of different colors are combined with 2 sequels of different colored wefts. While the wefts are crusty, the warps are delicate and impressive, with a stitching ratio of 1 stitch to 3 figuring warps and 1 stitch to 2 figuring wefts.

Tapestry Weave

Uses of Tapestry Weave:-

Tapestry weave has proved its importance in the past and in modern times. Before now, it was used mainly as insulation for castles, and artworks on the walls. In modern times, this weave has proven to be quite versatile. Today, a tapestry weaving techniques are highly useful in making the following:

a) Furniture covers.

b) Wall hangings.

c) Bed coverings.

d) Decorative artwork.

e)Tote bags and purses.

f)!Table covers.

Tapestry Weave:- Tapestry Design

MAKING TAPESTRY WEAVE INSTRUCTIONS:-

Tapestry weaving is a hand-manipulated technique that involves working with one or more discontinuous weft threads, irregularly passing through the warp to build up rows. 

To begin making a tapestry weave, place vertical thread known as the warp yarn, and the horizontal thread known as weft on a tapestry loom in vertical and horizontal patterns, respectively. When that's done, repeat the stop-start pattern as to weave the weft threads under and over the warp thread. This can either be done using small bundles or yarn or a tapestry needle. This process will help to hide the warp from view. It is important that the vertical threads have even tension. Once this is done, it is ready to weave a fabric.

We can purchase small tapestry loom kits at our local craft suppliers. Most of these kits include yarn and the accessories needed to make simple tapestry artworks. We can also substitute our own yarns in a color palette to our taste. It is easy to use cotton yarn for the warp threads and then weave a wool yarn up and down. This gives a thick tapestry perfect for hanging in our home.

Tapestry Weave, Tapestry Loom.

CHALLENGES OF TAPESTRY WEAVE:-

Beautiful when it's done, the tapestry weave has a handful of challenges. Here is a list of challenges associated with tapestry weaving:

Before now, the process of tapestry weaving could only be done by hand. However, that has changed to some extent with the invention of modern weaving technologies.

The stop-start patterns of weaving make it a lengthy process.

A tapestry is not complete until the loose ends at the back are secured to prevent it from unraveling.

TAPESTRY DESIGNS AND FASHION:-

Ever seen a runway show and wondered what fabric the models were wearing? Well, It might just be a tapestry. As one of the older forms of woven textile, tapestry weave has gradually gained ground in the fashion scene. You probably have admired one of these fashion pieces on the runway and not even realized what it's made with. This woven textile has been used to make tunics, dresses, jackets, and blouses. Leading fashion brands have incorporated it into their collections with mixed success.

MODERN DAY TAPESTRY:-

Modern-day tapestry weave owes much of its relevance to the Art and Craft Movement headed by Williams Morris in England. This movement revived many of the old crafts and creative energy lost during the French Revolution. Today, most tapestries are reproductions of originals in the museum rather than hand woven. 

For the love of comfort and efficiency, tapestry today is taking to modern technologies. New techniques and processes have been invented to help relieve the stress of long hand-weaving processes. These inventions have made beautiful tapestry pieces more affordable than they once were. In addition, materials for tapestry are now easily accessible. Hence, weavers use this advantage to make beautiful art pieces far from what was typically viewed as tapestry. 

MAINTAINING TAPESTRY WEAVE:-

Not that anyone does, but if we don't find much joy regularly cleaning, owning a piece made with tapestry weave is probably one of the best things.

Maintaining a tapestry weave requires little or no effort at all. We will need to gently dust off the piece with a soft cloth to clean it. Never put a tapestry weave under direct sunlight. That advice is invaluable if we want to maintain its color and prevent shrinkage.

If you must iron, place a bed sheet or any dye-free cloth over it and iron with low or medium heat. To clean a fashion piece made of tapestry, it is advisable to take your clothes to a dry cleaner with cleaning tapestry experience.

TAPESTRY WEAVE- IN CONCLUSION:-

When we buy a piece of art or a fashion piece made with tapestry weave, we can't help but be captivated by its beauty, texture, and uniqueness. This historic craft has stood the test of time and remains one of the oldest surviving forms of woven textile. Its rich history and growth mean it has scored extra points for durability and quality. All that uniqueness aside, a tapestry is fragile and difficult to make. This is why many historical tapestry pieces are often hung vertically to protect them.

Ref:-https://blog.treasurie.com