One of the earliest types of woven fabrics is the tapestry. The methods haven't changed much over the years. As far back as 3000 BC, remnants of tapestries made in ancient Egypt have been discovered.
Great, vibrant tapestries were conceived and created in the Middle Ages by master weavers' studios for affluent patrons. Weavers in the Renaissance had less creative flexibility since studios hired artists like Raphael to create drawings that they could reproduce. These tapestries are still visible today, despite their somewhat drab appearance and predominance of beige, blue, and red colors. That's because the dyes used to create the vivid yellows, greens, purples, and browns have faded and vanished.
Although a few studios still exist where big tapestries are woven from artists' cartoons, individual weavers generating their own patterns now dominate the tapestry weaving industry. Wool, silk, and linen, as well as cotton and other more contemporary materials, are still used.
Thank you,
Eddie