Finding My Way to Weaving: A Journey into Tapestry Art
The search for my creative medium
I've always had a love affair with all things woolly and have dabbled in various fibre crafts over the years. Knitting and crochet captured my attention for a while—I enjoyed them both, but always struggled to feel truly accomplished. There was never that satisfying sense of "I can do this well" that makes a craft truly sing.
The type of frame loom kit for beginners I used
Then, a few birthdays ago, my children gifted me a frame loom kit. I was intrigued, but had no idea how that simple present would transform my creative life.
I started experimenting with the kit, learning the basics from online tutorials and eventually attending a couple of in-person workshops. What happened next was something of a revelation. Unlike my previous crafting adventures, tapestry weaving opened up a world of endless possibilities that immediately felt right.
The materials, the simple techniques—I simply couldn't get enough of it. Before long, a corner of my spare room was overflowing with merino wool tops, sari silks, cotton rope, chiffon and velvet ribbons. Any natural or recycled material became a source of joy and experimentation.
I had found the medium for me.
My first handwoven wall hanging
The therapeutic benefits of weaving
I don’t want to overcomplicate it or suggest that weaving was the solution to all my woes. However, I was in a period of my life where, for many reasons, things felt a bit tough. Being, on the whole, a positive person, I was aware that I was finding it hard to switch off, to quiet my racing mind and generally be at ease. Sitting down, wool running through my fingers, working one line at a time did feel calming. My breathing slowed, my shoulders softened and my thoughts became quieter.
I found that when weaving, time became less important. The outcome wasn’t the focus.
What mattered was the act of doing and the act of weaving simply felt good.
Finding nature inspired weaving ideas
Handwoven textile art inspired by autumn woodland
Part of my daily routine was getting out of the house first thing to walk the dogs. I was fortunate to live at the foot of the South Downs in Sussex and was able to choose from a wide selection of landscapes. Woodland (my favourite being beech trees in autumn) - ideal when it was hot or raining hard. Open grassland, when the sea breeze came in off shore to blow the cobwebs away. Steep hill climbs when I felt the need to get my legs and heart pumping. And gentler walks along the top, where the views were long and I could let my mind wander.
I wanted to capture both: what I saw and also how I felt through sustainable textile art. I just wasn't sure how. It almost seemed too important for my inexperienced and as yet unleashed inner artist.
As it was October, I chose to begin with a woodland scene in autumn. The greens of the summer now gone, but in their place the rich reds and browns, both on the trees and on the path, where the fallen leaves create a tapestry of burnt oranges and golds. The bark was also important as I love the smooth grey contrast of the trunk and their thick root system - which provided much enjoyed pockets of rain water for thirsty dogs.
Now when I look at a landscape, tree or flower I imagine it as handwoven textiles on a loom.
Coastal Tapestry
the stunning southwest coastal path in Exmoor National Park, UK
The unfolding
For the last five years, I've been on a joyous journey of exploring tapestry weaving and fibre artistry to capture what I see and experience in my everyday life. I am constantly experimenting with different techniques and fibres to reflect the beauty I see. Sometimes, I wish I could weave faster as I've enough inspiration to last me a lifetime and want to preserve those memories and feelings in vibrant colours and textures. However, that is simply not how it works. Capturing the beauty of the natural world in fibres cannot be rushed, but instead deserves the love, attention and respect the slow art of weaving demands. This goes hand in hand with my desire to work in a sustainable, low-impact and environmentally friendly way.
It will take the time it needs to take.
Helpful Resources
Jennel of Spruce and Linen - a wonderful YouTube channel, with very clear explanations accompanied with great videos, lots of inspiration and if you live in Canada or US a great online shop
Lindsay of Hello Hydrangea - a brilliant series of digital classes from basics to intermediate techniques, as well as specific projects like weaving without a loom. She also has a creative membership that goes way beyond frame loom weaving and provides an ever growing resource for continuing your creative journey
Shiv of ShivTextiles - a Brighton based weaver, creating beautiful, mood-lifting fabrics with a focus on sustainability and traditional craft. Offers In-person workshops, starter weaving kits and a great source of curated yarn bundles from headstock materials.
Holiday Cottages - Best of Exmoor - a great community focused, local team who helped us make our stays in Exmoor extra special
Stanmer Park, Brighton - a beautiful park on the outskirts of Brighton
Friston Forest looked after by Forestry England, great for family days out
Wolstenbury Hill - owned by National Trust, with tree swings my children (and me) loved