Over time with years of use or the occasional accident,  rugs can become damaged or loose. We always try to repair rugs back to their original condition using different weaving techniques. We can also alter rugs by cutting them down to resize or customize for a new look. When we start a repair project the first step is to consult with our customers on their expectations and budget for the project. We then present a few options that we can agree on. We have many examples of what the end result will look like so that our customers can choose the right option.

Some of our most common repairs are listed below:

The fringe on a rug is most times an extension of the foundation. When the rug is complete the strings at the ends are finished in different ways depending on where the rug was made. Some have knots, braids or can have no fringe and have yarn wrapped around the end. The fringe is one of the most common repairs that we take on. They are often damaged by vacuuming or just come loose over years of wear and tear. Our job is to complement the rug so that it looks good but can also come home and take on traffic for many years to come.

In most rugs the side chords are formed by two or more threads that run the length of the rug. They are usually wrapped with an extra thread binding the sides. The yarn acts as an exterior guard to the rug protecting the foundation and pile. If left unrepaired, the cords may break away from the rug and leave the pile unprotected and the knots will then fall away.

Damage to the pile can be made by moths, continuous traffic on one part of the rug resulting in wear. Moth damage will in most cases eat only the pile and leave a bare spot showing the foundation. If the foundation is wool the moths can eat through the pile and the foundation leaving a hole. Repiling is when the foundation is in good condition and we just need to weave in new knots creating the pile.

Holes or tears can be the result of a variety of situations, such as moth damage, wear, sharp objects etc. Holes may have started as small slits and if left unrepaired will get larger. Any hole or tear should be repaired as soon as possible; the sooner the repair is carried out, the less expensive the job and the more successful the final result.

Kilims, Navajo and Soumaks are a more delicate, lightweight floor covering that are flat woven. These rugs can be damaged easily with excessive vacuuming or traffic. They can be easy to repair but challenging to resize. Most times we repair the sides and ends but on more antiques we do full restorations. This usually comes down to the investment that our customers would like to put into the rug itself.

We work with several designers that will oftentimes purchase the perfect rug in a larger size then cut it to the desired size. A good example of this would be a rug that is 10’ x 14’ that is cut down to 10’ x 10’. Most rugs do not come in these sizes and can take several months to have made with alot of additional cost. We can also customize rugs to fit around a fireplace or odd shaped rooms.