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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). Drapery rods, wooden dowels and finials that will complement your environment are readily available at most hardware centers and decorative accessory stores. Follow the accompanying directions and install as you would any standard drapery rod.
How do I clean my tapestry?
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 bedcovering 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 tapestry must be dry cleaned by an experienced drapery dry cleaning plant. 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. What can I do?
A curl in a tapestry is not unusual. Tapestries will bend, wave and curl and may change with the seasons and humidity differences. Some people recommend decorative weights be hung at the bottom corners. I do not necessarily like this approach. Although weights will help to keep the tapestry taut, over time they may cause excessive stretching on the sides and cause the tapestry to go further out of shape. Some have sewn drapery weights across the bottom of the backing. Evenly and regularly placed weights work well and apply less stress on one particular section.
My favourite and the easiest quick fix is to buy a wooden rod or dowel the width of the tapestry at your local hardware center. Cut the rod just a tad shorter than the tapestry width.
Now study how the backing is applied to the face tapestry. Find your sewing kit and get that little tool that opens up seams. About an inch up from the bottom open the seam just slightly more than the rod's diameter. Will the rod slide easily into the opening? - Good.
Now put a quick whipstitch above and below your opening to avoid future unravelling. Slide the rod in. Adjust it into place. With a little time, the even weight and rigidity of the rod will help keep your 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. If you wish to minimize fading, avoid hanging your tapestry in direct 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.
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