Tapestries had both decorative and utilitarian uses back in the middle ages when they became popular. Tapestries were used to cover windows and openings and as canopies around beds to keep in the heat and add privacy. Kings and noble men would carry tapestries with them as they traveled and they were also used to portray Bible stories for illiterate church goers. Tapestries were also beautiful and intricate works of art that were highly prized during this time. Many tapestries were produced in Paris until the beginning of the Hundred Years War in 1337. During this time many weavers fled north and many beautiful tapestries were lost.
Tapestries were highly prized and not something commoners could afford. Tapestries were often claimed as spoils by the victory of a battle or war. Tapestries were very versatile and often were cut up or sewn together to cover openings once they were moved. Some tapestries were astounding in size; some of the largest were easily 20 feet high and 80 feet wide. The process of making a tapestry in the middle ages was a very long and involved one; some tapestries took many years to complete and thousands of people worked on them.
The process of creating a tapestry began with a painter or sketcher who painted or drew the preliminary design often called a cartoon. After the design was complete, weavers extracted dyes from plants and other sources and dyed the threads that would be used in the tapestry. Wool, silk, silver, and gold thread were the most common types of materials used in tapestries. After all the thread was dyed weaving began and it could take up to a month for even a skilled weaver to complete just one half of a square foot. Tapestry weaving was a skill that was passed down from generation to generation.
Combat, hunting, and landscapes were common scenes depicted on middle age tapestries made for aristocrats. Some noblemen had artists accompany them on hunts and into battle and make sketches that would later be used to make tapestries. Scenes that depicted hunting then evolved into lush landscape scenes and later pastoral designs. As tapestries became more and more complex and intricate, it was not uncommon for 300 of more shades of colors to be used and the tapestries themselves resembling fine paintings complete with a woven "frame."
The tapestry business was a very popular and lucrative one until the French Revolution in 1797 when hundreds of tapestries were burned. It was also around this time when the Jacquard loom was invented with streamlined the weaving process and make tapestries available to a much wider market. The Jacquard loom made weaving much easier than weaving by hand, and although tapestries were still hand made the loom expedited the process.
Tapestries still exist today from medieval times and many are displayed in museums in Europe with some of the most famous tapestries residing in Paris. Tapestries woven today are still woven by hand and use technology similar to the first Jacquard loom although much of the process is computerized.

William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones Contributed to the Resurgence of Medieval Art and Tapestries:
The revival of medieval tapestries in the 19th century has a lot to do with the works of William Morris. Tapestries owe their popularity and resurgence to the arts movement headed by William Morris in the late 1800's throughout England. Morris was responsible for reviving many old art forms, but some of his most famous works were tapestries including the tapestry entitled The Tree of Life.
Morris was part of a wealthy family and after an unremarkable childhood attended Exeter College in Oxford England. Morris had always had an interest in art, especially the works of the pre-renaissance era, but it was not until he met painter Edward Burne-Jones that he began his creative quest to revive and preserve medieval art forms. Burne-Jones, Morris, and other students founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood a group of artists that looked to the art and culture of Middle Ages for inspiration.
Tapestries were of special inspiration to Morris who though modern production methods and designs were not nearly as creative and noble as the methods and designs of centuries past. He built a traditional high-warp loom and taught himself how to weave in the traditional French manner. He designed some of the most famous tapestries of the time including The Tree of Life and The Woodpecker with help from colleagues. He used medieval styles, techniques, and inspiration to create these famous hangings.
Morris went on to found a production company, Morris and Co. who produced many different textiles from carpet to wallpaper and gave Morris a great outlet for his creative designs. Morris and Co. eventually dissolved but not for a few years after Morris' death and after creating many different works of art. Morris designed and produced stained glass, tapestries, ceramic tiles, furniture, wallpaper, and carpets. Morris and Co. went a long way in reviving many of these ailing crafts and art forms.
Burne-Jones also worked with Morris and designed many pieces for Morris and Co. Burne-Jones designed many tapestries as well as window glass all of which having inspiration from the Middle Ages. Burne-Jones had a special affinity for tapestries, and like many of his other works he specialized in creating figures in his tapestries. He became an expert craftsman and even lectured on the subject. Morris and Burne-Jones also designed and manufactured furniture along with their other
Morris and Burne-Jones' foray into furniture design began in 1856 when they began designing furniture for their empty rental after being unable to find furniture that met their aesthetic tastes. This led Morris to explore embroidery and different styles of furniture decoration. Morris believed that a designer should be experienced in all of the aspects of a technique so he studied fiber dying techniques as well. Morris designed and created many tapestries and wall hangings entirely himself, even dying the thread with plant materials. One such wall hanging entitled If I Can was one of the first that Morris designed and created and also reflected his desire to see his work through from idea to finished piece.

Links and References:
http://www.touchoftapestry.com

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