Repair: Sides
The second most common of all repairs are sides. Just like fringes, sides are always a maintanance issue. Type of damage and how a particular rug is woven are the two most important factors in conserving the sides and properly repairing any damage.
Most handmade rugs are finished off with a small salvage where the foundation weft threads reverse and go back into the body of the rug. Sometimes this type of salvage is only a thread or two wide and it wears easily. In cases of larger salvages, a wool wrapping (overround) covers the salvage to protect the sides of the rugs and give a decorative finish. Repair can address loss of an overround and/or reconstruction of missing salvages or even wear beyond a salvage into the body of a rug.
Most modern machine made rugs (like Karastan, Couristan, and most Mohawk rugs) have a unfinished salvage weave. The sides are simply cut and left raw. A small ribbon is layed along the side and a surging (overround) stich wraps the ribbon and raw side with wool. The ribbon serves only to visually cover the salvage incase the wool overround separates. In cases of wear, it is extremely important to have an overround repaired as soon as possible. The rug usually does not need to be re-surged. A wool overround can replace missing surging material and protect the raw salvages from freying. In cases where the foundation materials being to frey, other repairs may be required before an overround stich can be repaired or replaced.
For other rugs, such as wilton and good quality axminister rugs, the salvage is woven closer to the handmade example noted above. The sides are structurally sound and are quite strong. When the sides do wear, a blanket stich is often the best method to secure any loose foundation material. Surging or overrounds will often do more damage than they help. Surging machines and overround stiches push new wool into the weave of the rug along the length of the side. When a rug is an incredibly dense weave, this addition of new material can force foundation materials apart and break the rug. Over a short period of time, the new side will simply break away from the body of the rug and much more expensive repairs will be required. A proper repair will stablize the sides without adding to the damage or decreasing the value and condition of the rug.
Other types of damage to sides and wear of other weaves can be repaired with appropriate methods to best stablize and conserve the condition of a rug.
To discuss potential repairs or restoration with a specialist, please contact us.
Other repair examples.
Day-to-day use and abuse always results in regular maintainance and repair. Some typical repairs are detailed below: rough ends, fringes, unravelling sides, kicked-up corners, and that small spot the dog chewed or the cat clawed while you were out. Shaneybrook services all of these repairs and more.
Restoration.
When abuse or damage exceeds the capabilities of more simple repairs, restoration is available. The nature of restoration projects demands a more individual assessment for the needs of your rug or carpet. A member of our conservation team can provide you with the best options and a plan for any restoration project.
To discuss potential repairs or restoration with a specialist, please contact us.