BASIC TAPESTRY WEAVING TECHNIQUE

from my workshop notes

There are 4 pages of basic techniques (including this one) and one page with advanced weaving techniques.
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If I cut through a tapestry, the cut would show how the weft wraps around the warp and covers it.
This means that the warp does not play any role in the making of the pattern. To achieve a good tension for the laid-in weft, I use the following technique: I lay the warp in to the shed and keep the end of the weft yarn up,- away from the fell line (the fell line is where your weaving ends).
I use my tapestry bobbin to push down the weft about every 2.5 cm (1") to make arches. Then I secure the edge of the shape (beat down the edge first).
Then I start at the other end of the shape and beat the weft down arch after arch until I reach the edge again. If I have laid the weft in too loose, it will make 'bubbles' by pushing the weft yarn too far out between the warps. If I lay the weft in too tight, it will pull the next arch flat before I can beat it down. This technique also ensures correct adjustment for weft tensions, when I use different weft yarns side by side.