Tapestry Weaving, 5th grade

***Update: I have a new weaving handout & planning sheet available on Teachers pay Teachers - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mrs-Knights-Smartest-Artists***
We begin our project by looking at examples of woven tapestries from the Medieval and Renaissance periods of art history.  Weaving was at its pinnacle during these years, because tapestries provided warmth and insulation in a house made from cold stone walls.  They were often decorated with folkloric stories or historical scenes.  Tapestries fell out of favor after the Renaissance, when easel painting became a more popular medium and houses were being more efficiently built.

We begin by warping the cardboard loom - the warp acts like the "bones" of the weaving, holding things in place but invisible in the end

The warp ends on the back of the loom for easy removal when complete

A tabby weave uses a long piece of string that goes over and under the warp

We can make vertical or horizontal stripes, using shorter individual pieces of yarn amd following a pattern

A checkerboard is formed when alternating the order of vertical stripes

Make sure to push the yarn toward one end to keep it properly in place

Here's an example showing a number of different patterns, including dovetail weaving at the bottom

Using contrasting colors is a good idea to show off your patterns

A completed weaving, showing off many patterns and techniques