Which Is the Correct Side of Tapestry Fabric?

Tapestries: Today and Yesterday

• Fabric woven in the style of tapestries date back to Egypt c. 1400 B.C. In the same time period, tapestries were also notably made in Greece and Rome, as Eugene and Paul Bernat wrote in their book "The History and Care of Tapestry." Althouh the art of tapestries declined with Rome, in the 13th century, it began flourishing again, especially in France, Germany, England, Spain, Russia and Sweden. The popularity of tapestries has waxed and waned over the years, but they still find their way into modern art galleries and homes, and are available in every price range.

How Tapestries Are Made

• To understand the difference between the right and wrong side of a tapestry, it's helpful to understand how tapestries are made. According to the Liverpool Museums website, tapestries are woven, passing threads called wefts through heftier pieces of thread called warps. During the weaving, the wefts stay parallel to the person doing the weaving; when the tapestry is hung or used, the thicker, stronger warp should run horizontal. Until the 19th century, all tapestries were handmade. Today, most are made by machine.

Which Side Is the Front?

• When looking at a piece of tapestry, often the backside will have a plain fabric sewn to it as a sort of backing or lining. In cases where this is not true, the back is discernible because the design of the tapestry will appear vague and undefined. Remember that the thicker threads, the warps, should run horizontally, and the front of the tapestry should have a more definite and defined design.

Hanging Tapestries Front Side Out

• Typically, tapestries are hung, although they may occasionally be sewn into another item, like a pillow or a purse. Usually, tapestries come with a narrow tube sewn on their back (or sometimes narrow tubes sewn at their top). A rod is inserted through this tube, and the rod is then inserted into brackets that are attached to the wall. The front of the tapestry faces out.