Tapestry Design Basics and Beyond

Renowned master weaver Tommye McClure Scanlin offers more than 60 step-by-step "explorations" that lead you from understanding design concepts to using them on your loom.



"I wish Tommye's book had been available when I was first struggling with creating my own designs . . . There is no person more qualified to teach these ideas than Tommye Scanlin."

-Rebecca Mezoff, foreword


Once ideas and images come to mind, the next step in weaving your tapestry-interpreting these into effective compositions-may be challenging. Learn here, in ways that relate specifically to tapestry art, the design basics you need to make your best work.




A master weaver offers more than 60 step-by-step "explorations" that lead you from understanding design concepts in your head to using them on your loom.
Be inspired to explore "weavable" ways to manage line, shape, color, texture, emphasis, balance, rhythm, and more for results that bring your tapestries to a new level.
In Part 1, dive into the fundamentals of design.
Parts 2 and 3 hold explorations-exercises with a tapestry twist.
Part 4 teaches ways to turn designs into cartoons.


A resource treasure trove offers ideas for finishing tapestries (essential to the design's completeness), helpful templates, glossaries, and other core information to carry forward on your creative path.



"Clear explanations . . . scores of inspiring tapestries . . . Suggestions for finding design ideas, as well as developing, and assessing them, will be of value to all. Bravo!"

-Mary Lane, former executive director, American Tapestry Alliance