What not to say to a tapestry weaver
No doubt every professional suffers the indignity of ignorant remarks, once people know what their calling is, from wanting a medical diagnosis at a drinks party to those who think they understand police procedure from watching television. Tapestry weavers are in the same boat.
Whether it’s from someone you have just met at a party, a potential buyer making an enquiry or even a friend or acquaintance, we tapestry weavers sometimes get questions and comments we don’t appreciate. Here is a selection of actual words said to me or other weavers I know. Please let me know what others have said to you, and I will add the offending material to the post.
I wish I could stay at home like you and be creative.
It looks a lot like darning.
Oh, yes, my aunt does that.
You must have a lot of patience.
Are you famous?
Where/how do you get your ideas?
What’s it meant to be?
Can’t you do that by computer?
I was always taught that the back of a textile should be finished as neatly as the front.
Why don’t you…?
Have you seen the Great Tapestry of Scotland?
I just finished a beautiful cushion cover of a unicorn.
I got a mandala tapestry for £8.99 on Etsy.
Don’t they attract dust?
Are they moth-proofed?
Do you spin/dye your own wool?
Can you value this tapestry my mother had?
Do you have a tapestry depicting a Highland cow?
My budget is £150.
Do you know how to get stains out of a christening dress?
How are you getting on with your knitting?
Since I posted this article, many weavers have told me that they have heard nearly all these questions and statements during their careers. Others were new to me, but equally unsurprising:
It must be nice to make money from a hobby./Nice to have a hobby.
I did that at school.
I love embroidery.
You must be good at sewing.
Where do you get your patterns?
Do you make curtains?
Surely that can be done by machine?
Can I have that? I need a teapot stand.
Oh, so you just put a picture behind the warps and trace the lines?
Are you an alcoholic? I would be if I was doing what you’re doing.
What’s that rug doing on the wall?
Oh, that looks easy.
That would make a great coaster.
It’s a dying art.
What is it???
Yes, my mother does crafts.
That would be lovely in a child’s bedroom.
Are they supposed to be placemats?
But what do you do with it? It can’t go on the bed.
They look like toilet-seat covers.
Can you make my wedding dress?
I must show you my niece’s work – she draws dogs from photos.
I’m an artist as well. I do balloon animals.
And the day after posting this, I also got an enquiry from someone in India who wanted to know whether I would like to import mandala tapestries and hippie tapestries.
Some of the inappropriate comments have also been mentioned in previous blog posts:
https://joannesoroka.co.uk/is-it-a-tapestry-no/
https://joannesoroka.co.uk/is-it-a-tapestry-yes/
https://joannesoroka.co.uk/how-long-does-it-take-to-weave-a-tapestry/