One of the most effective forms of literary expression is the art of tapestry. Stories from the Bible, Homer’s Odyssey and Illian were depicted in woven tapestries as priests used sets of them for teaching purposes as most people were illiterate. Before glass was used on doors and windows, tapestries were hung from the ceiling for warmth and privacy by ropes.

Today, we use tassels on rods to emulate this authentic look. In early days, when the edges became worn from use, the arduous task of reweaving the design gave way to decorative borders which were simpler to repair. Reserved only for nobility and heroes, tapestries were unavailable to for the common man until the 18th century.

Fortunately for us today, there are many different types of tapestries available. From the most inexpensive polyester, which may be purchased at fabric stores for twenty or thirty dollars a yard, to better quality tapestries woven in Europe, and made entirely by

hand, the only limitation is budget.

Unlike needlepoint, crewel work or embroidery, which use a structure fabric and the design is sewn into the structure, tapestries only consist of the threads which make up the design. Just as in the Middle Ages, two basic types of looms are used to create tapestries, high warp and low warp. With one operator for each loom, different threads must be tied off manually. The vertical threads are called warp and the horizontal threads are called weft. Warp threads contain no pattern and are not seen when the tapestry is complete. The weft threads are woven over and under the warp creating the design. The piece is worked from the back using a pattern called a cartoon.

Using tapestries in design creates a rich warm feeling and they should be displayed in a prominent place in your home with sufficient natural and artificial lighting. Large tapestries work well in our larger homes as we have more space to fill. Tapestries

can be the best value for the homeowner’s budget compared to the amount spent on drapes or wallpaper as they are portable and can be taken with the homeowner should they move.

Tapestries should never be hung over wallpaper, and should never be mounted under glass or stretched over a frame. They should be mounted hanging from a rod at least four inches from the wall to protect them from moths and other pests. Once every two years, clean your tapestries using the round soft brush attached to your vacuum.

If the room is large enough, two tapestries may be used as long as they are from the same period or members of a set. They may be hung anywhere but show especially well over fireplaces, two story foyers and over the bed in master bedrooms. Research the history of your favorite tapestry and when you display it, not only will you enjoy it as a great topic of conversation but as a beautiful and personal addition to your home.