The purpose of this group is to build appreciation of woven tapestry by looking at examples from the Middle Ages to this year and using some of the techniques in our own work. No prior knowledge necessary.

A hand woven tapestry has always been a luxury. Monarchs in the 16th century competed to build the finest and biggest collections, and large scale tapestries continue to be commissioned for public buildings and corporations. There are occasional exhibitions round the UK of postcard sized tapestries created on a cheap and simple frame.

Depending on the knowledge and interests of the group we do more or less actual weaving.

The group started in autumn 2021. Topics covered so far include:

-What is a tapestry - and what is not tapestry but says it is?

-Work of contemporary weavers . We have looked at a selection from the UK, Norway, South Africa, Peru, the USA,  Poland and Ukraine

-History of the medium

-Tapestry and politics

-Materials, traditional and new

-How to warp a small frame

-Creating an experimental tapestry

There is lots to look at and always new work to examine.

Please contact the group leader if you'd like to join.

Costs: there may be a small charge for room hire if we are using a community venue.

In the group we are using simple wooden frames. They are portable and can be made at home or bought in an art shop.

Materials - you can use knitting wools, and embroidery cotton or needlepoint tapestry wool if you have it. Charity shops often have good stocks. Specialist worsted tapestry wool is more expensive to buy but goes a long way. The same is true of cotton warp. The group leader can supply some at cost price.