Library
These are occasional articles that cover some of the more technical aspects of tapestry weaving or which provide insights into the equipment used.
Everyday Heroes Review by Jen Gurd
The National Portrait Gallery (NPG) issued a Press Release in 2023 announcing that it had acquired the tapestry “John Barry, O’Kelly, Sonny and Richard Moore” by leading artist Michael Armitage to be displayed in the new “The National Lottery Heritage Fund Gallery”. The tapestry recognises the efforts of key workers during lockdown and Michael Armitage worked with the tapestry weavers and artists from West Dean College to transform his original painting into this new work. Jen Gurd reviewed the tapestry after she visited the NPG to see it in the newly opened gallery.
Sources of Inspiration: Sara Brennan - a review by Jen Gurd
Jen has reviewed the work of Sara Brennan based on based on a zoom call, Tapestry: in conversation with Sara Brennan, set up by Nearly Wild Weaving in October 2022
To wash or not to wash by Margaret Volante
A short article detailing Margaret Volante's experience of using weaversbazaar undyed yarn for hand dyeing
Movement in Tapestry: Silvia Heyden - A review by Jen Gurd
Jen has reviewed this wonderful book in the context of the principles by which Silvia wove, the influences of her time and why she will remain a luminary.
Sending Tapestries. Packaging, Carriage and everything else! Margaret Jones
Advice from Margaret on the preparation and sending of Tapestries for exhibition based on her experiences as a weaver, exhibitor, curator and exhibition sponsor. August 2022
Science and Art …. A Search for Understanding Margaret Appa
Margaret examines why there is a tendency to identify people as either scientists, academics, artists or non-academics and frames an argument that for all humans there we cannot be classified as one or the other.
Why Worsted? Janet Phillips, Lin Squires & Matty Smith
Worsted wool is the result of a very specific way of both preparing and spinning wool fibre. You might like to read this article which appeared in The Journal in Summer 2013.
How to use the Colour Tool. Lin Squires.
Some examples of ways in which the use of a colour tool can assist when planning the palette for a tapestry. As a companion to this article, we have a chart that maps our dyed worsted yarns against both the Colour Tool and our own Colour Groups.
Love's Philosophy. Michael Crompton
This is an article exploring in some depth, the ways in which a tapestry artist responds to ideas and develops a design.
Warp and Weft. Matty Smith
This article seeks to provide some guidance on the choice of warp, the sett or spacing of a warp and the thickness of the wefts.
Bobbins. Andrew Dickinson
Andrew describes how he makes his artisan bobbins, how he selects the different woods and how he has developed the concept of the bobbin to extend beyond its function as a weaving tool.
Colours in Tapestry. Michael Crompton
Michael responds to a weaversbazaar survey about the number of colours weavers use when creating a woven image.
Stabilised Wood. Andrew Dickinson.
In this short article, Andrew describes what 'stabilised wood' is. He uses it for a dramatic collection of metal tipped bobbins.
Backing Shaped Tapestries. Margaret Jones
In this article, Margaret Jones explains techniques for backing shaped tapestries.
Using Wool As Warp. Lin Squires
Lin summarises feedback from a number of testers exploring our dyed and undyed wool used as warp.
All about Moths. Lin Squires.
This short article explains the background to current practices on moth treatments in the UK yarn industry and also how to protect your own yarns from moth damage.
Triumph of Light over Darkness. Michael Crompton
Once again Michael shares insights with us on how his design for a tapestry has emerged and evolved. He explores how the subject matter is seen through different cultures and times as well as how his design reflects the subject.
