Woven Tapestry

• According to Webster's Dictionary, tapestry is defined as "a heavy handwoven reversible textile used for hangings, curtains and upholstery and characterized by complicated pictorial designs."
  
  Tapestry, in its truest form, dates back centuries with examples from the Middle Ages. Evidence of tapestry exists linking the art to ancient Greece. In the 13th and 14th centuries, tapestries with biblical pictures were hung in churches to help the illiterate learn bible stories.
  
  While history has gone through many changes, tapestry has not. Today's tapestries are still woven with two types of looms, a high-warp loom and a low-warp loom. These looms are usually smaller frame looms and upright.
  
  Weaving is the process of entwining two sets of yarn. One set is the warp and is attached to the loom itself. These threads are located in a vertical line in front of the weaver. The second set is called the weft. This is the yarn the weaver pulls, horizontally, through the warp.
  
  With tapestries, the designs are made by adding colored yarn with the weft. Some weavers put a picture of their design directly behind the warp and add different colors as needed.
  
  Modern weavers still use hand looms to create intricate tapestry designs which are sold in art galleries. Reproducing tapestry designs with mechanical looms is common today. Reproductions, however, don't exhibit the quality and character of those made by hand.
  
  

Needlepoint Tapestry

• Most people are confused, today, when they hear the word "tapestry." The confusion comes from the use of the term "tapestry" with certain needlepoint techniques.
  
  Tapestry is a broad category in the world of needlepoint. By modern standards, a tapestry is a needlepoint canvas entirely covered in stitches without showing any gaps between the rows of stitches.
  
  A tapestry needlepoint project also doesn't need a picture like an authentic tapestry. A simple design, worked in one simple stitch, is still called a tapestry (if the entire canvas is covered in this stitch).
  
  The stitches used in tapestry needlepoint are numerous. Different variations of the gobelin, petit point, Hungarian stitch and bargello stitch are the most common. Even cross stitching is used in tapestry needlepoint. All of these stitches are simple and can be easily mastered by beginners.
  
  Most people are familiar with petit point rugs. These tapestry needlepoint rugs are covered in small tent stitches, also called half-cross stitches.
  
  Buying a needlepoint kit with a simple bargello stitch is a good idea for anyone interested in learning tapestry needlepoint. Make certain to pick up some tapestry needles, also called crewel needles, to make the project go smoothly.
  
  Although your project won't be a true tapestry, it will beautiful and fun all the same.