Repairing and Restoring Handmade Rugs

Restoration and repair techniques for handmade rugs date back centuries and are still commonly used today. Meaning, you have no reason to ever even think about throwing away your beautiful handmade Persian or Oriental rug.

What is the Difference Between Repairing and Restoring a Handmade Rug?

Whether we are repairing or restoring a handmade rug, it is a skill, time, and labor-intensive process. But it is an art process and one that we undertake happily for the love of our craft.

There is, however, a difference between completely restoring a handmade rug or simply repairing it.

A handmade rug restoration refers to the process of taking a well-loved rug and reviving it. This process is sometimes tedious, as it involves using an experienced, professional eye to match the colors and weave the patterns of a vintage rug, restoring it to its original beauty.

Repairing a handmade rug can sometimes fall into the category of restoring it, but not always. The difference is that sometimes a rug repair is simply a rug repair. Fixing an unraveling fringe on a vibrant Persian rug, for example, does not call for a complete restoration.

By the nature of its use, your beloved handmade rug – the centerpiece of your living, dining, or bedroom, will likely at some point need a repair or restoration. It is the victim of constant foot traffic, the parading of pets, and the sliding of furniture.

It is always best to consult a professional when it’s time for your rug to undergo a facelift. And it is always best to do it as soon as you start to notice the smallest bit of damage.

What Are the Most Common Types of Rug Repair?

Fringe repairs jump to the top of this list, as the beautiful fringes on handmade antique rugs so often become the unwitting victim of furniture leg and foot traffic wear and tear.

While the fringe of a rug may seem like an irrelevant addition, in fact, it is usually an integral part of the rug’s foundation. Coincidently, it is also the most exposed part of any hand-woven rug, making it the most vulnerable.

Fringe repairs need to be addressed immediately, so as to avoid further, and much more costly, repairs to the body of the rug.

Holes and tears can often require extensive reweaving. In the case of a hole or a tear in your handmade rug, the foundation repair is the most crucial first step.

As with most things, you need a solid foundation before you can build upon it. Once the foundation has been reconstructed and the threads extended, the painstaking work of matching wefts and knots begins.

Pile unraveling can cause irreversible damage to a beautiful antique rug. This is usually caused by a rogue fringe that has been pulled and come undone unnoticed. A fringe repair is an easy enough fix, but once the damage has spread to the pile, it is important to have it fixed as soon as possible.

On the other hand, a low pile may not indicate a need for repair. In this case, it comes down to personal preference. A low pile is a sign of aging, which can add character to a vintage handmade rug. Keep a close eye on your heirloom rugs though, if the pile is low enough to expose the foundation, you will definitely want to get that fixed.

Color restoration is a very specialized service sometimes required due to fading. Re-dying your antique rug may be an option in this case. This type of repair is very carefully done by hand and is ideal in instances where there is minimal color loss.

Rug sheering is an alternative method for restoring color to a vintage rug. The idea is to remove uneven pile and fuzz from wear in order to restore a vibrant finish to a worn rug.

Insect damage is another annoying contributor to damage to a handmade rug. Despite all of your cleaning efforts, you may still end up with pesky moth or bug damage to your prized Oriental or Persian rug. The silver lining is that with regularly scheduled cleanings and inspections, you can avoid costly foundation repairs or re-knotting.

Has your treasured handmade rug become the victim of excessive wear or moth damage? Most rugs can be repaired or restored to their original glory, but it is best to leave this work to professionals who have years of experience in this domain. Reach out to the Saatchi Rug Gallery, serving New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. We’ll be happy to bring your prized possession back to life. 516-510-9188