1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT



We hereby consent to the use in this Form S-1, Registration Statement under the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Registration Statement"), and in the Prospectus
which forms a part of that Registration Statement, of our report dated September
26, 1997 relating to the Financial Statements, and the accompanying Notes
thereto, of Tapistron International, Inc. and the reference of our firm name
under the caption "Experts" in the Prospectus. We further acknowledge awareness
of and consent to the use in the Registration Statement and in the Prospectus of
the use of a report on unaudited interim financial information.

                                  Dudley, Hopton-Jones, Sims & Freeman, PLLP



                                  /s/ Dudley, Hopton-Jones, Sims & Freeman, PLLP