tapestry weaving - wall hanging

13 September 2014


So this is my latest creation! I'd say it is an experiment, just making it up as I go along and the end result is something a bit abstract ; )  I am quite happy about some of the colours and textures that occurred unexpectedly so I think this way of weaving is a really good lesson in understanding yarns and how they work together and using colour a bit like paint. All very good fun indeed.
Usually whenever I use wool, its to make something to wear, so it has to 'go' with other things and has to be washed ok. But using wool in a decorative way is totally different so you can just go for it!







Weaving in the evening! Actually this one took me about 7 hours, which I did in one day and finished at 2.30am (the photo below was taken by my mister just as he was going to bed).

There is a bit of a resurgence of woven wall hangings I have noticed, particularly the more native american style patterns from the US even being sold in Athropologie and the like. I think in general, people are starting to find handmade rough textures and wonky things more and more attractive in interior decor. I am all for this trend.
My inspiration comes from the 'bible' of fiber arts...Golden Hands magazines. Not sure if it is because I was born in the 70s (yes, shut up), but I blimmin love that decade. Macrame choker anyone? Hand embroidered hanky case? Crocheted wedding dress? Patchwork maxi skirt?...words fail me...I just LOVE it all.



Each magazine comes with a short guide on many different methods.

Smocking and macrame are next on my list. 


I expect a lot of our mums are shuddering with nostalgia right now, 'macrame pot holders?? NO, not again'!

11 comments

  1. I think the seventies were very creative, but that era's creativity was neglected, because it did not quite fit in with main stream thinking of the time. Now things have reversed, maybe the internet has helped a little, because individuals have become a mainstream force.

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  2. Anonymous13.9.14

    Lovely weaving, looks like a very freeing craft. Those magazines are amazing! My aunt has a macrame hanging pot plant holder that seems to have come full circle back into fashion - I've always rather admired it, would love to give macrame a whirl sometime.

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  3. Lovely hanging, and bedroom in general :) I made my first weaving recently and just winged it. The randomness of fabrics and patterns is very forgiving so I was pretty stoked with how it came out and definitely want to try more.

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  4. We're just unpacking at the moment and I am hoping I still have some Golden Hands in my collection! The hazards of moving many times and, most recently, across the country. The other one I love is the Reader's Digest handbook of Needlecraft - thick as can be and full of goodness.

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  5. love hand made! especially second hand, hand made with the patina of use and age. Folk these days are craving the not so perfect hand made things as it allows for the human touch in this time of technology/machine perfection. I could go on and on but won't but I do want to thank you so very much for your very human blog/fb/pinterest/nstram it is an guilty pleasure to read your beauitful sharing when I should be working you are inspirational. PS I have noticed that I have come up as unknown, I must have done something wrong still learning to drive this machine! cheers denimarie

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  6. Oh my those magazines brought back some memories. I still LOVE macrame, and have made countless macrame plant hangers over the years. Haven't got any at the moment, time to make some more??!!

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  7. I also have a bunch of Golden Hands magazines. Macrame is also on my hit list.

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  8. can i buy one of your weaving? :)

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  9. As a very small child I modelled for the front cover of Golden Hands magazine. Can't remember the issue number/date but if you come across one with a red headed girl wearing an emerald green tweed skirt, that's me!

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  10. Anonymous26.9.14

    Oh! I've been wanting to try Macrame! I think it looks so fantastic! Might have to wait till the new year though. I've got a list of craft projects a mile long with no time as it is with two little one (and one that doesn't sleep)! Thanks for posting. I do look forward to reading so much!

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  11. These magazines looks fantastic! i didn't know them before ( ok, i'm not english, lol). Can i have the number of the magazine with the carpet on the picture and the other one with the macrame? i will try to find them on ebay. Thanks

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