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Lee Leibrandt

Tapestry Weaver

It’s all in the design

February 8, 2023 By leeleibrandt

2023 has started with a new project already underway! The big loom is warped and I’ve started weaving another large tapestry in my Mount Majura series.

Since I’m still rather fresh (29 hours) into this project, I thought I’d run you through my design process. Because there’s actually a whole lot of work that goes into a tapestry, before you even start weaving.

Now you don’t start anywhere without inspiration, and my nature walks over at Mount Majura have certainly provided a lot of that! The design for this tapestry is from a collage I made in 2021, titled ‘Eucalypts’. I have drawn a lot from the Majura collages and paintings I did back then. And I’m still referring to them 18 months later! 

A mixed media collage of eucalyptus leaves in paint, paper and ink.

This next tapestry was designed using my ‘Eucalypts’ mixed-media collage.

My next step is drawing up the cartoon. This is a simplified line drawing of the design or picture I’m going to weave. In this case, I traced over the main lines of the original ‘Eucalypts’ collage (which is about A5 in size).

But I want to weave a MUCH bigger tapestry, right? So I overlayed the A5 cartoon with a grid, 1x1cm. On some butcher’s paper I drew up another larger grid, about 4x4cm. I then redrew the cartoon into that larger grid, one square at a time.

Various collages of ecalyptus woodlands are arranged on a table, with a pencil tracing of one design in the foreground.
A small line tracing of a tapestry design sits on top of a larger version of the same design.

Voila! Big cartoon for a big tapestry!

Next, I figure out my colours. Matching yarn to the original collage and ordering anything I might need. I also warp up the loom, so it’s ready for weaving. (There’s a bunch of technical stuff about warping up, but I won’t bore you with that.) Trusty Husband helped me a lot with the warp this time; I’m still not used to warping such a large loom! 

A white woman stands at a desk, holding a bright yellow thread of yarn up against a collage of eucalyptus leaves. Only her part of her torso and both arms are in the shot.

Matching yarn colours to the original collage.

Finally, once the loom is ready, it’s time to weave!

For larger pieces, I’ve decided to weave hems at the top and bottom, before starting on the tapestry proper. Each hem can take several hours – especially at 95cm in length – but it makes for nicely finished edges once you’re done! When I weave smaller format though, I just get stuck into the tapestry itself and not worry about a hem. 

A blonde woman is weaving at a tapestry loom. She faces away from the camera, passing a tapestry bobbin through the warp of the tapestry.

Aaand NOW we weave! (In actual fact this is the tapestry I wove
before I started the ‘Eucalypts’ tapestry… but you get the idea!

Be sure to keep an eye on my Instagram to see how ‘Eucalypts’ is coming along!

Clancy’s Track
  • Fiona, AUSTRALIAFiona, AUSTRALIAMemories of an Island Home
    When I asked Lee to commission a piece for me detailing my favourite view of my island home in New Zealand, I was not disappointed. From the very beginning, Lee was responsive and provided excellent customer service. She took such care in selecting the colour palette, I really felt that she was honouring my childhood memories and treating them with love, care and respect – it meant a lot to me. She kept me informed of her progress every step of the way and gave me choices about how the final piece would look and feel. When it came to framing the piece, little extra touches such as using wood from Tasmania because she knew I used to live there, was really touching. All of these personal gestures added up to the most valuable sentimental piece that I absolutely adore. The piece itself is professionally executed with such precision, featuring a melody of colours and textures that stand out and complement each other all at the same time. Pricing is fair, reflecting the time and effort that goes in to the final piece. I would highly recommend Lee if you have a treasured memory you want depicted in to something tangible, or just want a high quality, unique, eclectic, and naturalistic memento.
  • Catherine, USACatherine, USAVegan Commission

    I decided to treat myself and buy some art for my wall and came across some photos of amazing woven art by Lee Leibrandt. After stalking her online for awhile (nothing but love and admiration 🥰) and signing up for her newsletter, I knew for certain that a piece from her was what I wanted for my wall. It sounds like a huge commitment on my part but in reality the price is absolutely reasonable for a lovely handmade piece made just for me. Lee was so sweet to work with and included me, as much as I wanted to be included, in the decisions. My main requirement was that the fibers be all vegan, and she did it! I have to shout out to her father who does the amazing woodwork and frame. It all came together beautifully, so beautifully that based on the progress pictures I also asked Lee for a handwoven basket to hang on my wall. Thank you Lee, for these amazing pieces of art, for sharing your talent, for being inspired by my IG page and likes. Nothing but LOVE!

  • Bec, AUSTRALIABec, AUSTRALIAA Memory Honoured

    "Working with Lee was an absolute pleasure and I can’t recommend her highly enough. The piece I commissioned held a lot of emotional significance for me. Lee managed the process with professionalism, empathy and care, which filled me with confidence in her and her work. I loved receiving updates along the way and felt the excitement and momentum building right through until I received my tapestry. I am so blown away with the end result; a divine artwork, which I will treasure forever. Thank you, Lee."

  • Dianne, AUSTRALIADianne, AUSTRALIAGolden Bar Purchase

    "This is beautiful work. Made with beautiful hand spun yarns, it has pride of place in our family room where we can appreciate it everyday!"

  • Julie, AUSTRALIAJulie, AUSTRALIAA Wintery Commission

    "I feel honoured to have a piece in my home by this talented artist! I was after a specific theme - Scandinavian Winter - Lee created a tapestry that was beyond what I had expected! Truly an artist worth supporting!!"

  • Kara, UKKara, UKCustom Order for a Wedding Gift

    "The custom tapestry is perfect and a beautiful interpretation of the original landscape photo that I gave to Lee. It was very well received as a wedding gift by my friend who really loved it. Lee is a very talented and creative artist producing very special and unique pieces of work."

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