Tapestry Art

I have made a few cushions using old completed tapestries. I take them out of their frame, cut off all the strings that traditionally they are tied around the backing card with, and them I use my overlocking machine to seal the edges so that the tapestry doesn't start to unravel.
I love the tactile quality of tapestry, it is strong and dense, really hardwearing as a medium for cushions, but I also appreciate all the time and effort that has gone into making them. They have a richness of texture and the fact that they are made up of hundreds of tiny crosses on squares gives them a pixelated quality.
Here are a few of mine.

However, I have just recently come across the work of a tapestry artist called Frederique Morrel, and it has blown my mind! She does make humble cushions and footstools by piecing together well chosen vintage tapestries, plus some tapestries that I'm sure she must commission for their colours, such as these:

But she has laso taken it to artistic extremes and clothed shop mannequins in tapestry! I'm not sure about this!

I've also come across a tapestry artist from Melbourne called Susie Stanford, who reupholsters furniture using a patchwork of tapestries. I think it works really well and would like to try something like this myself. The only thing is that it would cost a lot of money for all those tapestries :

The shop RE in Northumberland has reupholstered some vintage Tansad chairs in recycled vintage tapestry, which looks wonderful. I have tried piecing together some tapestries myself in a patchwork, and Ican tell you, it's not that easy. They have to work with each other:

And finally, much closer to my home, ie Leeds, I have come across a textile artist, enigmatically named, Mr Finch. He creates the most exquisitely beautiful insects and creatures from scraps of recycled vintage tapestry:

You can have a look at the rest of his work here: Finch
Who would have thought such beauty and creativity could emerge from the uncosmopolitan provinces of West Yorkshire?! Well me for a start! Look at Barbara Hepworth, a Wakefield girl who became a world reknowned sculptor!
Beauty and creativity can emerge from anywhere, sometimes because one is not surrounded by it, one strives to create it!

My current obsession: Welsh tapestry blankets

For the last year I have been coveting Welsh tapestry blankets. I came across a maxi skirt at a vintage fair made from Welsh tapestry in gorgeous shades of olive green, black and white, and immediately cut it up and made it into cushions! You can see one here in our dining room.




I adore their geometric patterns which are at once folksy and modern if used in the right setting. The above and below cushions are from Jane Beck's welsh blanket company
She sells a gorgeous range of cushions made from welsh tapestry. The colours are very much inspired by the welsh countryside, and are described with names such as 'Blackberry and slate'



I'm not the only person to appreciate the design qualities of welsh tapestry.
I have recently come across a fledgling collection by Glasgow based designer Sam Sparrow.



It is my mission to acquire my own range of Welsh tapestry blankets, and make a collection of cushions from them, but also, I think they would look amazing as a covering for a footstool or chair. I have a wing chair ready and waiting. The fabric is lovely and thick, perfect for upholstery, and I think it would make a gorgeously folksy, cosy fireside chair.




Donna Wilson has created her own Welsh tapestry design, and upholstered with it.

My preferred pattern is called Caernafon



A lady called Jen Jones sells the blankets through her internet shop. She has a wonderful collection.
So, watch this space! As soon as I have acquired my first large blanket, I shall post pictures of the transformed wing chair!
And if I have any left over, I shall try to make a little pegbag like this one by Vintage Welsh Textiles