How do I hang a textile panel?

Most framed textile art mounts directly to a wall using standard picture hooks suited to the weight of the wood and glass. Ensure the piece hangs away from direct sunlight to protect the aged silk and wool threads. Unframed panels or tapestries require specialised mounting, such as conservation-grade Velcro systems or stitched sleeves supporting a slim wooden baton.

How are samplers dated?

Makers frequently stitched their names, dates, and sometimes locations directly into the textile composition. These signed inscriptions provide a reliable point of origin for nineteenth and eighteenth-century works. When dates are absent, dating relies on the style of the script, the framing materials, the fabric ground, and comparative motifs found in dated historical pieces.

What is the difference between crewelwork and tapestry?

Crewelwork involves surface embroidery stitched by hand using wool yarn onto a woven linen foundation. The stitches sit on top of the fabric base. Tapestry is woven entirely on a loom, where the design forms part of the structural weave itself rather than being added afterwards with a needle.