I recently had to write an informational piece for the project I am working on, and figured a few might find it interesting. Enjoy!

 

Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Tapestries

 

 

Tapestries have been around for many centuries, yet few realize just what labor was needed to complete these glorious and magnificent works of art, especially in such a technologically challenged period in history. They were originally created for the visual beauty, as well as, for their function of helping to insulate cold, damp castle walls and provide a small measure of privacy. The designs were usually chosen to commemorate a special event, person or deed, myths and tales or just every-day activities such as feasting, garden pleasures, hunts and tournaments. Possibly the most well known tapestries are the Lady and the Unicorn series, woven in the turn of the 15th century in the Loire Valley.

 

Tapestries became status symbols amongst the aristocracy in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Kings and nobles took them on their travels from castle to castle for reasons of comfort and prestige. They often changed hands after battle, and since the victor's door and window openings might be a different size the acquired hangings might be cut up or even joined to other tapestries. The churches also took advantage of using them as a way to help educate their illiterate followers, with very few of these originals remaining to this day.

 

In the creation of tapestries, the first step would be to obtain a true-to-size “cartoon” or black and white outline sketch of the subject from an artist. This design would be approved by the one who commissioned the work, then sent off to the carpenters for the making of a frame. Once the frame was chosen, the cartoon and frame would be handed over to experienced weavers of all ages to begin warping the loom with handspun wool or linen and then the transferring of the cartoon onto the warp threads, with the use of handmade inks and quill pens. Depending on the size of the piece commissioned, this process could last a few weeks to a few months or more.

 

During this time, others would collect handspun and naturally dyed wools and silks, with which to use for the weft threads or pattern of the design. Medieval weavers extracted their dyes from plants and insects in a range of less than twenty colors. For example, red came from madder, poppies or pomegranates, yellows from saffron and blue produced from woad. On very elaborate pieces, very fine metallic wires or threads were introduced to accentuate various pieces of the tapestry, but these specialties were usually only afforded by the very wealthy.

 

The process of weaving intricate designs was usually handed down from father to son or to apprentices only, being seen as a time honored craft that was a specialized skill. This made tapestries very expensive in general to the public, due to the labor and skill involved. Weaving a tapestry would begin at the bottom and work up, going from side to side until each row was completed. It often was necessary for many weavers to be working on the same project, side by side, on a massive loom that was hung from the rafters above. This process could take up a year or more depending on the size of the project and number of people commissioned to create the piece. For a skilled father and son team, it could take two months to weave just one square foot of tapestry!

Galla do you have any Tapestries that you are currently working on?

What shapes do you normally draw for your cartoons?

Do you use all handmade yarn for the warp and weft?

I do not do tapestries, my son played with them for a short time when he was younger, making abstract shapes. It seemed to take quite a while to finish a project. I would enjoy seeing some of your completed and in progress work.

Unfortunately this is my first tapestry and is being entered into a competition in January. I went ahead and used cotton crochet thread (around size 10 I believe) for the warp, and using all handspun Merino for the weft threads. This first design is for a simple Tudor Rose - the symbol is that associated with our queens here in our SCA group. Figured it would be nice to be able to finish and give to a good friend who has taken a reign.

 

The piece is smaller, about 8" by 8" when completed. Nice for creating a purse, pillow of sorts or appliquing onto something else. I will be using the burgundy for the main outline, a varigated mix of burgundy and white for the interior of the petals, varigated green for the leaves (harsher wool - jacob? ), white for the main background, and a gold metallic for the center. Very soft shapes to allow me to get used to the project. Figure it if comes out too bad, I always have some blackwork and costuming on hand to substitute for the competition entry

 

I will post pictures as the work progresses to keep you up on the project. As it is a first go, try not to be too horrified by the outcome. LOL So far, made the frame and warped it, then made a quill pen and the ink to use for the pattern. Transferred the pattern onto the warp threads and now working on getting the pattern all the way around the thread so as not to lose it as the threads twist. Have the anchoring weft threads in as well and just now getting more of the weft threads completed on the spinning wheel and spindle. Should have another shipment of wool in today to finish up the amounts needed for the project. Figure on a week or so to get it all spun. Believe I ordered a pound of the white and half pound more of the burgundy. Should have plenty left over too for other projects in the future.

Hi! I'm a new member and this is my first post....

 

Just wanted to say that I would love to see the work on your tapestry as it progresses. I have seen megans laces and weaving and they are truely beautiful. I run a custom home furnishings workroom for a living so anything to do with fabrics, weaving, and such are definintely things I love. I have yet to be quite so ambitious myself - but I'm sure I can live vicariously through you and megan!

Welcome Lady!!

Hey KelticKat, Megan said to say she should be able to post tomorrow to say hi and try to catch up with the posts she needs to reply too.

Right now she is hip deep in something in the weaving room, me I'm staying out of the way wheres its safer. :wacko:

Glad you joined us and if I can do any thing to help please let me know.

Feel free to post where you wish and I sincerely hope you enjoy it here.

Thanks Duncan for the welcome...I'm sure my posts will be few at the moment. Partly because it's my busy season - but also because I'm a bit intemindated (sp?) by all the posts I've read - you all are so knowledgeable in all this stuff and I'm just an amature!!!

 

But I hope to be designing some fabric (through one of my suppliers) with celtic braid work - so I'm sure I'll share it when it's done - I want to use it to make some treatments in our living & dining areas! But as always I'm in awe of Megan and her tremendous handy work!!!

 

Thanks again for the welcome & I hope to meet & learn more of the folks here on the fourm.

Thanks Keltic... I will post as I get them. Need to take a couple shots before I begin the weft patterns. This is my first, so very easy design, but already have a few more in the planning stages if this one goes as planned.

 

Got stuck on learning to knit socks for a bit and had me sidetracked. Went back today for spinning the wool needed for the tapestry, so hopefully will be done shortly.

 

Keep everyone posted.