tHe BiRd wAs aN aPPaRiTioN

Tapestry is weaving, but it is done in a different way than harness loom weaving. Tapestry weaving is more like needlework, or embroidery. For example: The vertical yarns, that are strung on the loom are called warp yarns (in both types of weaving). In tapestry the weft, or woof, (woven through, or around the warp yarns) completely cover the warp yarns, and are applied around the warp yarns, one by one. In harness loom weaving the warp is often visible.

A cartoon is drawn, placed under the warp threads, and copied, usually. Except for the brave of heart like me. I let my tapestry design flow from my head, until I reached the eyes (working from the bottom to the top). Then I drew a cartoon, so I could really get the eyes the way I wanted. The bird, however, came as an apparition, as I worked some stitches that looked funnily like knitting, and I let it evolve into what it wanted to be. I originally intended it to be a funky pom pom! I submit to the powers greater than myself...

When using multiple colors, the individual bobbins of yarn have to "dance" with each other in a rhythmic, and balanced way to cover each, and every warp. In loom weaving, the weft yarns are thrown across the width (usually) of the weaving by way of a shuttle. Harness loom weaving is quite quick, and tapestry is verry slow!

The unicorn tapestries in the Cloisters Museum in Upper Manhattan (branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art) , are tapestries that took years (5) to make by many skilled artists, dyers, and weavers around 1500 AD. I was lucky enough to see these tapestries again this past December, and took two museum tours geared to families with my son, and NY family members, where they talked about the tapestries. (When we got home my son designed and drew a cartoon of Pikachu, that I will weave for him, but I will save that for another day --maybe, he will want to learn to weave it himself! : ) ))) I was also lucky enough to view the tapestry weaving studio of Susan Maffei, and Archie Brennan, in New York.

We were immersed in great tapestry, and great tapestry people from coast to coast, this fall/winter, and it was fabulous da'ling!!!