Historically tapestry weaving was a trade. In the middle ages (and even through present times), weavers were skilled technicians weaving large designs created usually by painters. Today tapestry weaving has become an art form that is often practiced at smaller scales by people who are designing and weaving their own work.
Tapestry has a wealthy past as patrons funded the workshops that wove those large tapestries for their castles and country homes. Today tapestry weaving can be for everyone.
It is true that purchasing equipment and materials for any new art form can be pricey. There are many tapestry looms for sale that for many people are just too expensive to consider. And tapestry yarns can also feel out of reach when you have to purchase large amounts in many colors. But there are less expensive ways to find the materials and equipment needed.
What do you need to weave tapestry?
A loom. A loom is simply a device that holds a set of warp threads tightly so you can weave the weft against it and create the images that are what tapestry is all about.
Warp yarn.
Weft yarn.
A few simple tools.
Looms: lower cost alternatives
Schacht Lilli Loom and Lost Pond Loom
I have seen people purchase sturdy picture frames at a thrift store and be very successful using them for a tapestry loom. But if you can afford to put about $30 USD into your loom, I would recommend making a copper pipe loom. I wrote a blog post about that HERE. In the post I’m soldering the pipe but you can use super glue quite successfully for less cost.
Some other options below do not include tensioning and are both peg looms:
Schacht Lily loom. This loom has a fairly large weaving area, is very sturdy, and is one of the least expensive tapestry looms out there. It does not have tensioning. The corners have a tendency to be a little unstable if you don’t tighten the screws enough.
Lost Pond Loom. These are very solid peg looms. Slots are evenly cut at 4 epi so you can easily warp for 8 epi. The corners are recessed so the loom doesn’t rack (become a diamond).
Warp Yarn
Cotton seine twine here in white and blue. Two examples of wool warp in the back left.
I still think a cone of cotton seine twine is worth the investment. This is the one material that really matters in terms of ease of weaving, managing weft tension, and making the weaving do what you want it to do. Eugene Textile Center has cones of 12/6 cotton seine twine from Sweden for the least amount of money. Other retailers sell similar sorts of cotton seine twine for prices varying from $25-40 USD.
Weft Yarn
Weft yarn is important because it is what you’re going to make your images with. I recommend using wool tapestry yarn of one type if you’re new to tapestry. Using a wide variety of yarns in your weaving will create issues with weft tension especially as a beginners. And sticking with one fiber type at least is important.
When weaving tapestry, we often want a large number of colors to make images. If we have to purchase 4 ounce put-ups, the cost for getting even a small number of colors can be prohibitive very quickly.
There are some yarns that work well for tapestry that are packaged in small amounts and sometimes can be found at very low prices. These are usually embroidery yarns. The list below is far from exhaustive and you may know of other possibilities.
Paternayan (now called Colonial Persian). This was a favorite tapestry yarn decades ago and the company went out of business a couple years ago. The same yarn is being made again and it comes in hundreds of colors. It is still possible to find lots of Paternayan in embroidery hanks (8-12 yard tiny skeins) on ebay or etsy. This yarn comes in three strands loosely plied together which you’ll need to separate to mix colors in your weft bundle. The yarn is no longer sold as single strands unfortunately. For small tapestries this is very easy to do.
Appleton crewel (NOT Appleton tapestry). This thin embroidery yarn comes in over 400 colors and is quite beautiful. Embroidery shops sell it or you may find lots of it sold on ebay. It also comes in small yardage hanks. This yarn provides an excellent way to get many colors for low prices. The hanks are very small, but for small tapestries, it may be enough to get you started and you can always purchase larger yardage put-ups in future.
weaversbazaar. This beautiful tapestry yarn is made in the UK. It comes in smaller put-ups so you can get more colors for less cost. Often they have Jamboree or Rainbow bags in the discount section of their website that allows you to get a lot of yarn at a 15-20% discount. If you’re having it shipped to the USA, make sure to check shipping prices before ordering. There is no US dealer for this yarn.
Gist yarn’s Array. This yarn is pricier but you can purchase it in 1 ounce cones. It is a gorgeous yarn and well worth collecting over time if you can afford to pay a little more.
Sourcing yarns elsewhere. Yarn is everywhere and it pays to know what works best for tapestry. If you’re shopping thrift stores, ebay, or other sources for yarn, consider the points I make in THIS blog post about what makes a good tapestry yarn. I also have an online class about tapestry yarns if you want more information about specific yarns and how to evaluate ones you find.
Appleton crewel yarn can be a great choice for tapestry weaving.
Beware of buying wool that is being resold on ebay. You can find great deals that are often from estate sales in this way. But I recommend examining it carefully when you receive it to make sure it doesn’t bring moths or other pests into your home. It is a great way to get a lot of yarn at less cost, just examine it carefully for evidence of moths or other pests once you get it.
Other tools
There are many ways to make tools or use other items until you can afford a beautiful hand-made tool like a tapestry fork.
You can use a dinner fork for tapestry weaving
Tapestry fork. You’ll need one no matter how you weave, but you can use a heavy dinner fork quite successfully. Antique stores sometimes have silver forks that are heavier for a few dollars. A sturdy hair pick can work. Dog comb teeth are frequently used to make high-end tapestry forks but you could just purchase a small dog comb of some kind and use that to start with.
Tapestry needle (blunt-ended needle). I use a small needle for sewing slits and a larger yarn needle for passing the yarn through the shed. These are quite inexpensive at craft stores or sewing shops.
Shed stick. I reviewed a bunch of them in two blog posts. If you have a loom without a shedding device such as a simple copper pipe loom, you will need a shed stick. It is helpful to have one that is very smooth and about 1/2 inch wide by 5-8 inches long and about 1/8 inch thick with a pointy end to pick up the warps. The Schacht Weaving Stick or Yarnworker’s shed stick are probably the least expensive on my list. The original post is HERE and the updated post with more options is HERE. To get started you can even use a popsicle stick as a shed stick or if you have some woodworking skills, sand paper, and some time, you could make your own.
Miscellaneous tools include things you may have around the house: ruler or sewing tape measure, sewing thread, blue painter’s tape if you’re using a copper pipe loom, permanent marker.
Can I use a loom I already have?
Maybe! It is better to use what you have than not weave at all. If you have a floor loom, a rigid heddle loom, or a table loom, you might be able to use it for tapestry. You can find a lot of information about looms on my blog HERE.