Hello, I am looking for advice please!  I want to learn tapestry (beyond the very most basic bits) and I would like to know if anyone has a recommendation for a course of study. I would like to find something that will help me progress and develop different skills used in tapestry. I know what some of the skills development would be, but I know there are other skills that I am not even paying attention to. I assume this means I am looking for a book to follow along with. But even just a list of recommended skills progression would be handy! 

I have a decent foundation in weaving in general and a great guild from which to borrow books and get advice. AND I have access to teachers in my guild and nearby, so there is probably something right under my nose which I am not aware of. But I would really like to get a bit more proficiency in basic skills before working with teachers/mentors. It is also possible that I can pull together a tapestry study group from within my guild, which would be a handy way to do long term skill building.

Thanks for any advice, arguments, pretty pictures, links to websites and rambling sidetracks :)

Comments

Mon, 09/15/2014 - 02:26

Artistry

Hi Sarahnopp,

I would recommend working out of 2 books, Tapestry Handbook  The Next Generation by Carol Russell and Tapestry 101 by Kathe Todd-Hooker. I like Russell's book because not only does she offer technique, good illustration,but beautiful illustrations with the technique being used. Kathe has a series of books so 101 is not as comprehensive as Russell's, however 101 really goes into great depth on setting up your loom, which is so important. Plus, many techniques with good illustrations. It's more than a beginner's book but it's well understood.

I'm going to hope that Tommye Scanlin gets on here because she has been teaching tapestry for many years, she could better answer the progression answer than I could.

Mon, 09/15/2014 - 09:51

tommye scanlin

Welcome to the wonderful world of tapestry! quickly, I'll say that in addition to Cathie's great suggestions you might consider the DVD set from Archie Brennan and Susan Martin Maffri--it's an 8 disc set with lots of meat. Also, Rebecca Mezoff is offering an online course in tapestry. Her next one starts today (!) I think. I can send links to those later today--am off for a dr. appt. now. But if you do a Google search for them, you'll find them. I have a few resources listed on the left margin at my Tapestry Share blog at http://tapestryshare.blogspot.com Tommyr
Mon, 09/15/2014 - 15:04

sarahnopp (not verified)

Thanks! Great list so far. I just found out one of my guildies is going to sell her tapestry "stuff", as she just never used it and is getting really invoved in other things. So I will see her on Friday and probably have a number of things new to me to sort through. That DVD set sounds interesting. I shall have to check our library to see if we have it, and if not add it to the list. Hmmm... I bet the Seattle Guild has it. Which is handy as I am also a member there. 

Mon, 09/15/2014 - 17:05

tommye scanlin

More info:  the Brennan-Maffei DVD set is Woven Tapestry Techniques.  Here's their website, scroll down to see the DVD set listed:  http://www.brennan-maffei.com

Rebecca Mezoff's website is:  rebeccamezoff.com

You might find there's interest in your guild to form a tapestry study group.  That's happened in several places in the country.  The Atlanta area tapestry study group, made up of members of the Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild, used the Brennan-Maffei DVD set for a discussion starter in several meetings, I think.  

The American Tapestry Alliance website has lots of resources, including listing of folks who teach tapestry.  The educational articles are very helpful, too.  Then there's the Artist Pages with many beautiful tapestries posted by members as inspiration!

Loads to learn down the wonderful rabbit hole of tapestry!  Welcome to it!

Tommye

Mon, 09/15/2014 - 17:05

Artistry

I highly recommend the DVD set too. It is pricey, but worth it. Archie Brennan and Susan Martin Maffei are two of the " gurus" of tapestry weaving. Glorious work. On the other hand I don't think you get a better technician than Kathe Todd-Hooker who has a line of books. Also outstanding artist. I don't think there really is one thing that does it all. Just start! You will know if the progression is right for you. If something is too hard and you just don't understand, well skip it and come back to it later. Many people start with a sampler. Maybe 8 inches wide. they decide what they are going to study in that sampler, maybe shapes, maybe joins, or color blending, etc. The chapters in the books will give you lots of ideas. So will the DVD if you can get it from the library. Happy Weaving, Cathie
Mon, 09/15/2014 - 23:15

sarahnopp (not verified)

Thanks Tommye, great find. I have been playing around on a veriety of websites so have seen some of those links, but this is a handy place to store them.

I have been putting out the word to my guidies about a potential tapestry study group, so hopefully that happens. I don't really want to make the drive up through traffic to other study groups if I can help it :) 

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 22:33

sarahnopp (not verified)

I knew I would be acquiring some tapestry things when I went to my guild meeting today. I hadn't realized I would be able to get three Kathe Todd-Hooker books, plus the Nancy Harvey book. AND a couple weaving dvds. PLUS a bunch of people brought give-away yarn, so I got a "bit" of that.

This is why I am such a proponent of Guilds. We learn, we borrow, we swap, we share.

Oh- and I got a cute little hand-held Jim Hokett tapestry loom wtih tools and warp. Now to find places for it all to live...

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 22:49

tommye scanlin

Sounds like super guild day, saranopp! Rebecca Mezoff did a short class at Convergence with the Hockett loom--you might want to see her blog. I think she posted something about her prep for that. Have fun!
Sun, 09/21/2014 - 13:15

sarahnopp (not verified)

Thank you for the lead Tommye. This little Hokett loom is just great!I have played with it a bit, just to get a sense of how to handle it. I am attending a one day work-related conference on the 1st (which I fear will be dreadfully boring), so I am trying to decide what I want to make first :)

On the learning front, I broached the subject of a study group at guild meeting and 6 others signed the little piece of paper, so I guess that means we have a group! Now to find a time that works for all of us. Oh, and a place to meet I suppose.

Sun, 09/21/2014 - 17:42

Doanart

I learned from the Nancy Harvey book and a lot of practice. I had read somewhere that traditionally you weren't considered a tapestry weaver until you completed a series of ten samplers. So I spent last year completing ten weaving samplers. I am now starting to work on my own designs now. The Harvey book was a huge help.
Sun, 09/21/2014 - 22:21

sarahnopp

That rule of 10 finishes is not a bad one. I have 3 tapestry looms of various sizes and types (weaving leads to collecting! you know how it is), so I could have a couple or more projects going at any one time. A project a month sounds like a challenge!

I am still digging through the riches of the fibers and books, and I promised myself I would finish a couple household project before I immerse myself, but I am still all smiles about the great haul.

Sun, 09/21/2014 - 22:34

Artistry

You scored big time! Good luck to you, and have fun!
Sun, 09/21/2014 - 23:42

tommye scanlin

Saranopp,

You really have a nice variety of resources.  When you're ready for more, check out the American Tapestry Alliance book list here:  http://americantapestryalliance.org/education/books-on-tapestry-weaving-technique/

As stated in the link, this isn't a offical approved list from ATA and it's not a complete one.  However, it's pretty extensive.  

American Tapestry Alliance is a great organization, in my opinion.  It's a member organization that depends almost wholly on the dedication of its many volunteers throughout the U.S., indeed, throughout the world.  One doesn't have to be an experienced tapestry weaver to join.  Check out their variety of links at their website:  http://americantapestryalliance.org 

Tommye

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 09:59

Deke

I expect you are a bit further along the tapestry path than I am, but I have kept the same question unasked for a couple weeks. The answers to your original post will be very helpful to me as I progress, so I definitely appreciate you taking the time to post your question here.

My experience so far has been from "Googling" everything I can while absorbing what seemed relevant at the time, and the people on this website have, so far, been the best learning resource I have found. I will be getting several of the books mentioned in the near future, I am sure.