How to Make a Tapestry

A traditional tapestry is made with a specialized loom. Purchasing this type of loom can be too great an expense to produce one or two tapestries for your home. You can create your own tapestry, using an alternate method, first created in ancient times. The process of "punch needle" is easy to learn and inexpensive. It gives an impression of a professionally made tapestry with a raised, looped design on background fabric.

Things You'll Need

• Needle punch tool Punch needle hoop Weavers cloth Embroidery floss Scissors

Instructions

1. Thread the needle punch. Using the needle threader, insert it into the needle punch at the needle end. Insert the embroidery floss into the loop of the threader, and pull it back through. Release the threader, leaving the yarn in the needle punch. Needle punches from different manufacturers may require different threading procedures. Always follow the package directions.

2. Place the portion of your fabric to be worked on, into the hoop. Make sure the fabric is very tight. Work all of the pattern outline areas first. Then work all of the outside (background), working inward towards the center of your tapestry. Work the foreground design last.

3. Face the floss in the direction you will be working. The top of your work is really the back of the tapestry. Insert the needle into the first stitch area with the needle vertical. Pull the needle back up, just enough to move to the next stitch or length required for your specific pattern. Punch the needle into the fabric at the next stitch. Repeat until the entire area of that color is completed. Snip the thread with scissors; it should remain in the fabric, and can be trimmed later.

4. Repeat the process from Steps 2 through 4 for a different section of the tapestry, and/or with a different color floss. When finished, trim all the loose embroidery floss ends.

Tips & Warnings

• Punch needle preprinted fabric and yarn can be purchased in kits online or in crafts stores.

Resources

• Free Punch Needle Patterns