Talking Threads: A History of Tapestry and Embroidery at Victoria and Albert Museum

A chance to develop a greater understanding of these two art forms, learn about their techniques, designs and functions, and discover the cultural and personal stories they tell. In embroidery a needle and thread are used to add a design to fabric, in tapestry-weaving the design is an integral part of the woven structure. These are two very different techniques, both dating back to antiquity, both using wool, silk and metal threads to add to the beauty of life. These sessions explore their history through time and across the continents, and show how they reflect the beliefs and concerns of their makers and how contemporary embroiderers and tapestry-weavers are still at the cutting edge of artistic expression.