Woven Tapestry

The purpose of this group is to build appreciation of woven tapestry by looking at examples from the Middle Ages to this year and using some of the techniques in our own work. No prior knowledge necessary.

A hand woven tapestry has always been a luxury. Monarchs in the 16th century competed to build the finest and biggest collections, and large scale tapestries continue to be commissioned for public buildings and corporations. Most years see one or two exhibitions of modern woven tapestry. Edinburgh has been a centre for the art for over 100 years and there are usually some tapestries on display or in progress at the Dovecot Studios near Waverley Station. There have been regular exhibitions round the UK of postcard sized tapestries created on a cheap and simple frame.

Depending on the knowledge and interests of the group we do more or less actual weaving in each session.

The group started in autumn 2021. Topics covered so far include
-What is a tapestry – and what is not tapestry but says it is?
-Work of contemporary weavers . We looked at a selection from the UK,Norway, Poland and Ukraine

~ The Australian Tapestry Studios in Melbourne

~ Archie Brennan and his influence

-the Gobelins tapestry works in Paris

~ Tapestries for the Queen of Denmark

~ Arts and Crafts tapestry
-Tapestry and politics
-Materials, traditional and new
-How to warp a small frame
-Creating an experimental tapestry

There is lots to look at and always new work to examine.

The group meets from 10am to 12 noon usually on the 3rd Monday of the month though the meeting is moving to 4th Monday for October and November 2023. meetings are at James Court in West Street, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Please contact the group leader (via envelope symbol on this page) if you’d like to join.

Costs:
there is a small charge for room hire if we are using a community venue.

Frame – the thing you weave on!

you can use a picture frame as long as it is quite strong to take the warp tension. Any size bigger than 40cm by 40cm can do to start with. Ideally the sides will be about 2cm thick. Charity shops often have something suitable. Specialist tapestry frames can be bought online for upwards of £35.

Materials –

you can use knitting wools, and embroidery cotton or needlepoint tapestry wool if you have it. Charity shops often have good stocks. Specialist tapestry wool is more expensive to buy but goes a long way. The same is true of cotton warp. The group leader can supply some at cost price.

For more information, and to contact the group leader, please use the form below: