Learning for Free

Here are lots of free resources aimed at helping the development of skills and understanding in a number of textile-related activities. Please get in touch if you know of any resources that you think would enhance this open education area.

Tapestry Weaving

What is Tapestry Weaving - this video from the American Tapestry Alliance explains it beautifully.

Our Links page provides access to many external websites, including those of contemporary tapestry artists, national tapestry weaving organisations, commercial tapestry studios, exhibitions and much more

How to warp a tapestry frame.

This series of three videos, made by weaversbazaar, illustrating how to warp the Standard Adjustable Tapestry Frame and add the headers before commencing weaving.


Part 1: Putting on the warps		Part 2: adding the first headers		Part 3: adding the second headers

If you prefer written instructions on warping then download our free 'How to Warp' booklet.

Five techniques for sewing slits - 2 short videos by Margaret Jones.


Sewing Slits - Part 1	Sewing Slits - Part 2

The American Tapestry Alliance's Unlimited Blog Tour was an initiative undertaken between December 2015 and January 2016, with 6 experienced tapestry artists sharing their knowledge and expertise via their blogs. This is an amazing learning resource and the links to all of it are below.

Getting started: the first entry was from Vancouver Yarn and includes detailed videos plus lots of information about terms and equipment.
In 'techniques to blend colour' Rebecca Mezoff integrates yarns of different colours to create the illusion of further colours. This blog also introduces how to manage multiple wefts. Rebecca is an amazing tapestry artist and runs online tapestry weaving courses as well!
Using slits to create vertical lines in tapestry weaving is the focus of Terry Olsen's posting for the Blog Tour. Terry is a very well established tapestry artist who has been weaving for about 25 years.
Weaving shapes are addressed by Claudia Chase from Mirrex Looms. She shows how, using the grid of warp and weft, shapes of different types can be woven - including the ever-challenging circle!
How to 'paint' with yarn: colour blending through multiple strands of weft. This well-illustrated description of a more advanced approach to colour blending is from the wonderfully informative blog by tapestry artist Elizabeth Buckley.
The Value of Tapestry is a contribution from amazing tapestry artist Sarah Swett. She is looking at the challenge question of tonal value in the choice of colours when weaving tapestry images. Her post is not only well informed but fantastically illustrated.

Other learning opportunities.

Four selvedge weaving: this is an advanced technique that results in a tapestry without any warp ends to 'tidy up' once the weaving is finished. The very well illustrated explanation is another great blog from tapestry artist, needlewoman and illustrator, Sarah Swett.

Dovecote Tapestry Tutorial with Jonathan Cleaver.

Tapestry Weaving Technique Videos. The American Tapestry Alliance website provides links to a collection of online videos that demonstrate tapestry weaving equipment and techniques.

Rebecca Mezoff teaches James Koehler's weft interlock technique for tapestry weaving


Making a Tapestry		Woven tapestry techniques		Wind a tapestry bobbin		Finishing a Tapestry

Tapestry Weaving Course providers

Atelier Weftfaced – a range of courses for all levels and a commercial studio
Australian Tapestry Workshop – commercial studio, tours, courses and events
Dovecot Studios – commercial studio, tours, courses and events
Jackie Bennett - introductory and other fun courses
Morley College – courses
weaversbazaar - video courses here
West Dean College – short and certificated courses as well as a commercial tapestry studio.