Caring For Your Tapestry

HomeDecorations

  • Author Audrey Kerwood
  • Published April 8, 2010
  • Word count 563

How should I hang my wall tapestry?

Many of our wall tapestries are finished with a secondary backing. On the back of your tapestry, you will find a sleeve or rod pocket running the width of your tapestry. This is sewn in to accept a rod or dowel, which should be securely mounted to your wall with appropriate drapery brackets. Due to the large variety of rods and finials available, we do not stock or offer any (Free hanging rod provided where applicable). Rods and dowels for hanging your tapestry are easily found at hardware stores or window treatment centers. Follow the accompanying directions and install as you would any standard drapery rod.

The Best Way To Clean My Tapestry Hanging?

Because your tapestry is mounted on a wall, it should not be subject to the same abuse as your carpet and upholstered seating; therefore it should need less frequent maintenance. (Although some have elected to place a tapestry on the floor as some of the designs lend them to this. Others use them as bed covering or table covers, which is a traditional use.) Vacuuming the front and back of your tapestry once or twice per year, with your vacuum upholstery attachment, should be sufficient maintenance for many years to come. Consider cleaning your tapestries about as often you do your fine window treatments.

Your wall tapestry should be dry cleaned by a professional.

In some cities an Antique Tapestry Dealer or Oriental rug wash/ repair room may be of assistance in cleaning your tapestry.

My tapestry has a curl to it. How can I straighten it?

A curl in a wall tapestry is not unusual. Tapestries often curl at the corners and are more apt to do so in humid climates. Some like to hang weights at the tapestry's bottom corners. Although weights will help to keep the tapestry tight, over time they may cause stretching on the sides. Some have sewn weights across the bottom of the tapestry backing. Evenly placed weights work nicely and cause less stress related stretching on one particular section of the wall art tapestry.

The best fix is to buy a tapestry rod or dowel that is about the same width as the wall tapestry. Cut the rod just a tad shorter than the tapestry width. About an inch up from the bottom open the seam just slightly more than the rod’s diameter. You want the rod to fit in easily, but not be rolling around. Now put a whip stitch above and below your opening to avoid future unraveling. Slide the rod in. Work it into place. With a little patience, the even weight of the tapestry rod will remove the curl and help keep your wall tapestry flat.

Will my tapestry fade?

Your tapestry is a textile and may fade as any textile might. In many environments, decades may pass before any noticeable fading occurs. Antique tapestries tend to be faded and washed out, and many consumers may actually find that their new tapestry's appearance improves with a little aging. (Some pay extra to have them washed or tea stained. As you probably don't want your tapestry to fade you should avoid hanging it in sunlight. In addition, closing drapes or blinds is a good precaution. Applying a window film or tint to reduce damaging ultraviolet light rays is also an alternative.

Audrey Kerwood is the owner of The Tapestry Standard - http://www.european-wall-tapestries.com - which offers wall tapestries and decor for all styles of interior design. Free design advice from a design expert will help you choose the perfect wall art for your home.

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