How was the Bayeux Tapestry Made?
The Tapestry was conceived by a designer who would have worked with the patron together with one or more others who related the story as it was to be told. The design would have to be laid out in cartoon form, to scale, with the borders and inscription fitted in. It was a monumental task. It has been calculated that there are 626 human figures, 190 horses or mules, 35 hounds or dogs, 506 other various animals, 37 ships, 33 buildings and 37 trees or groups of trees. This suggests that more than one artist was involved. The wool would have to be dyed in large amounts so as to match throughout, and spun ready for use. Frames were needed, since each scene would require the workers to have their hands free for the laid and couched work used in the Tapestry. Copper alloy needles were probably employed.
Eight strips of linen appear to have been used, each perhaps being given to a different workshop. The strips would presumably be stitched together when completed. There are five main colours, terracotta red, blue-green, sage-green, buff and blue. Less frequently used are dark green, yellow, and dark blue (almost black). In laid and couched work the threads are laid in a tight mass over a given area, such as a figure. A second layer of threads (usually the same colour)is laid at right angles over this, the threads slightly spaced apart, perhaps 1/8 in. These are couched down with the same thread that holds them. The outline of the contours is worked in stem or outline stitch, which is also used for thin lines such as lettering, border lines, some scroll-work, spears, hands, faces, and many fillings such as the mail armour (conventionally shown as huge roundels rather than tiny interlinked rings). The fact that hair and horses, etc. are not always in naturalistic colours simply reflects the few colours used.