handmade rugs guide from alrug

8/10/2019 Handmade Rugs Guide From ALRUG

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By:AlRug

Tips

&Careforhandmade

Orien

talrugs

OrientalRugsGuide

Our articles section features various types of articles on handmade

oriental rugs, ranging from selecting a rug to maintenance, evaluation

to removing stains. We'll keep adding new articles to this section for

you so make sure to check back often. To stay informed and receiving

articles in your email, you can also subscribe to our newsletter here.

We hope you enjoy learning more about rugs!

Al Rug

66, Fleming Road, Lahore, Pakistan

Ph: +92 300 510 5818, +92 333 550 0088

HTTP://WWW.ALRUG.COM


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Oriental Rugs Guideby Al Rug Page 2

A brief introduction to Carpet Weaving History

of Pakistan

Pakistan is amongst theworld's largest producers and

exporters of handknotted

Oriental carpets. In the last

few decades, Pakistani

carpets have reached the

farthest corners of the world.

The art of weaving developed

in the region, comprising

Pakistan, at a time when fewcivilizations knew about it.

Excavations at MohenjoDaro

and Harappa ancient cities of Indus Valley civilization

have established that the people knew the use of

spindles and spun a wide variety of weaving materials.

In fact, some historians are of the view that it was the

Indus Valley civilization that of the first time developed

the use of woven textiles.

The tradition of textile weaving has survived in the

shape of folk culture in various parts of Pakistan. The

textile designs, architecture and characteristic of our

folk culture point to the floral and geometric patterns

that are basic to carpet designing. This clearly shows

that the art of carpetmaking and designing existed in

the region from very old times.

Islamic Heritage

Carpets have, from the beginning, been a part of theIslamic culture as it achieved unprecedented heights in

Baghdad, Damascus, Cordova, Delhi and in the fabled

cities of Central Asia. They were predominantly used to

cover the floors of mosques and houses, and were

occasionally used as wall decorations. The first half of

the 16th century is considered the 'Golden Age' of

Persian carpets, when large carpets with rich colors and

complex designs were produced out of factories in Iran.As a result, carpet weaving in Orient was perfected to

fine art in Persian and Turkish regions and their were

the first to be recognized as Islamic carpets.

Mughal TraditionCarpet weaving in Pakistan

goes back to the inception of

Mughal Dynasty, when the

last successor of Timur, Babar,extended his rule from Kabul

to India, to found the Mughal

Empire in the early 16th

century. However, historians

believe that carpet making

was first introduced to the

region now constituting

Pakistan as far back as the 11th Century with the

coming of the first Muslim conquerors, the Ghaznavids

and the Ghauris from the West. Established Carpetweaving in IndoPak SubContinent started under the

patronage of the Mughals, when Indian craftsmen

adopted Persian techniques and designs. The carpets

woven in Punjab at that time often called Lahore

carpets made use of the motifs and the decorative

style found in Mughal architecture.

During the Mughal period the carpets made in the Indo

Pak SubContinent became so famous that there was a

mounting demand for them abroad. These carpets hada distinctive design and boasted a rich knotting density.

The carpets made for the Mughal emperors, including

Jahangir and Shah Jahan, were of the finest quality. It

was during Shah Jahan's reign that Mughal carpet

weaving took on a new aesthetic and entered its

classical phase.

Inner panels of BadshahiMosque in Lahore

A finequality Mughal

Kashan


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After the establishment of Pakistan in 1947, most of the

Muslim carpet makers, designers, masters and other

craftsmen migrated to Pakistan and settled down in and

around Lahore and Karachi two major centers of

carpet weaving in today's Pakistan. It is these people

who now form the backbone of the carpet industry inPakistan.

At present, handknotted

carpets are among Pakistan's

leading export products and

their manufacture is the

second largest cottage and

small industry. Pakistani

craftsmen have the capacity

to produce any type of carpet

using all the popular motif

gulls, medallions, paisleys, traceries, geometric designs

in various combinations. However, the new Institute of

Carpet Designing and Weaving has been established in

Bahawalpur to train teachers. The Lahore Design Centre

at the Punjab Small Industries Corporation maintains a

separate section of carpet designing to experiment with

new designs.

Ninetyfive percent of the carpets are produced for

export and Turkoman, Persian and Caucasian designs

are crafted since they meet the popular taste abroad.

Baluchistan and NWFP excel in tribal Turkoman patterns

and color combinations, while Lahore and Karachi are

famous for singlewefted designs in Turkoman and

Caucasian style, and doublewefted Mughal types

(commonly referred as Pak Persian).

Mughal Bakhtiar with

central medallion


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Buying Oriental Rugs A Beginners Guide

From Casablanca to Canton, carpets have been woven

for a thousand years or more. Nomadic peoples,

roaming the wilds of Central Asia's mountains and high

plateaus, developed techniques of knotting wool tomake rugs. As the yarn was twined together, magical

designs and symbols, as well as the natural beauty

tribes would see around them, would be blended to

create a unique array of pattern, texture and color.

These wandering clans, roving the wilderness of North

Africa and Asia, extracted their rich hues of brown and

red from walnut shells and pomegranate skins. Other

craftsmen, working in the tranquil backstreets of fabled

cities such as Fez and Istanbul, would experiment withexciting schemes of motifs.

Why an Oriental Carpet?

A handmade Oriental carpet is as much a piece of

furniture as a fine desk or a loved bookcase. A simple

carpet can lend to a drab room a magical glow, creating

a particular mood and ambience. Each carpet different

from the next, has the own intrinsic character, its own

special feel and unique design.

However, purchasing a carpet has always beensomething of a risky business. The experience is all too

frequently shrouded with guesswork and luck.

Questions such as: "Is this carpet good quality?", "Is it

synthetic?" or "Am I paying too much?" tend to crop up

just as you hand over the travelers cheques.

Unscrupulous dealers with their smooth sales talk,

baffling technical terms and unorthodox methods can

transform what should be a pleasurable buying of a

carpet into a frenzied nightmare.

You can't learn all there is to know in a few minutes, but

we can certainly help you to become at least a little

"rugwise". Pick up a few facts, act in a certain way in

negotiations, and you will automatically sidestep many

of the pitfalls.

KnottingThere are so many thousands of different carpet

varieties, that it is useful to subdivide them into a

couple of more manageable divisions. Two very

different kinds of carpet are made. One is made with

the Turkish knot, and the other is formed with what is

known as the Persian knot. Hundreds of thousands of

knots are tied side by side to form a tufted pile.

Generally speaking, the closer the knots are together,

the higher the quality.

Styles

Carpet designs fall into two general categories of style

also. Tribal rugs are quite different from those made in

cities. Because one is made in the city doesn't mean

that the carpet is lower, or higher, in quality than the

one produced in a remote village or elsewhere. The two

types are simply different, neither better than the

other.

A room furnished with Al Rug's Pak Persian carpet

Courtesy: Kim McPherson, Florida


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Tribal or Workshop?

Many tribal carpets bear the precise name of their

tribes such as Bakhtiari, Baluchi or Afshar. Their designs

are frequently rougher, more angular than those of city

carpets. They are often, and until very recently

especially, made to be used only by the members of the

clan or tribe. Only in hard economic times was a carpetsold to outsiders.

Carpets made in a city are crafted to a much more

rigorous system of specific styles and designs, using

more measured motifs and regular colors. Their lines

are generally more rounded, the patterns more flowery,

than those of the tribal clans. The weavers are normally

paid by the hour, or by the week: a fast weaver can tie

somewhere in the region of 1000 knots an hour, yet a

medium size carpet still takes up to eighteen months ormore to complete.

Get the feel firstBefore you set off to buy a carpet, you must prepare.

One good method is to get a book about carpets. Flick

through the pages and see what immediately appeals to

you. If you are not in a great hurry, try leaving the book

open for a couple of days at a certain page to see if the

picture of a particular style fits the room1. In any case,

look at the pictures with great care. Examine the

varying systems of pattern: you will immediately see

that a carpet made in Baluchistan is very different from

one crafted in Istanbul.

Posing as an expert!

To avoid making the wrong choice you must make the

seller think you are a serious expert. He will conclude

your knowledge and level of expertise from the way you

explore a rug, the questions you ask and even from the

questions that you don't ask. A few facts and figures are

handy to know. A crafty dealer will try to trip up by

slipping baffling words into the conversation in an

attempt to fluster you.

Baffling words

For instance, Pushi,Zaranimand Dozarare words that

indicate the size of the rug. Kabadescribes a coarse

carpet, while Kurkis very high quality wool. The popular

octagonal shape,

called Filpai

(pronouncedFeelpoy) means

"Elephant Foot".

Heratiis a very

common Persian

design, which

usually has a central

floral pattern with

symmetrical floral

corner pieces. It is

also sometimes known as Mari, the fish pattern. Gul

simply means "Flower" in Persian: its often a stylised

octagonal flower shape. Botehis Paisley, and has great

significance throughout Asia: its seen as a harbinger of

good fortune. Mihrabis the Central Arch, which is very

common in smaller rugs, used for kneeling in prayer.

Be careful of terminology and don't be taken in by it. I

once heard a tourist in Middle East being told that the

carpet in question was a genuine Khalis Baftagi, whichin Persian means "entirely woven"!

Don't get carried away

The first golden rule of getting rugwise is not to buy

anything on the first visit, or from the first shop you

come across. Check out what everyone has to offer:

look through their stocks and ask prices. Go home and

sleep on it before committing to making a definite

choice. Most importantly: don't be sucked in by the

dealer's tricks. He may bring you endless cups of tea,

pull dozens of rugs down for you to inspect, or imply

you can't afford them. One expert of ruglore I know

insists that when a salesman uses such ploys you must

react accordingly!

Mehrab or Central Arch in a

Prayer rug


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End note

After the first visit to the dealer's "den" you will begin

to look like an expert. Remember to always act with

aplomb: use a cool, dignified approach. Learn from the

salesman. Look at the way he turns the carpets over,

how he examines the underside, watch the movements

he makes when he appraises it.

Another golden rule is, never buy a carpet from

someone who insists extravagantly about the favor he is

doing you. Fly by night rug dealers will cause problems

later. Be sure to get a certificate of origin [we provide

certificate of origin] for the carpet, and the check that

the import taxes of your own country aren't overly

bothering. If you take into account all those points

mentioned above, you'll definitely catch a good deal

and not to mention an exciting carpet buyingexperience. Wish you luck hunting down the great

carpet for yourself!


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Selecting the best rug for your home!

Before buying your rug, decide on the shape and size of

rug. A great way to visualize the rug in the room is to

use masking tape to define the area of the rug, or also

laying sheets. Be sure to keep note of all yourmeasurements before you go to the store.

Get the feel first

Another way around is to get a feel first. Before you set

off to buy a carpet, you must prepare. One good

method is to get a book about carpets. Flick through the

pages and see what immediately appeals to you. If you

are not in a great hurry, try leaving the book open for a

couple of days at a certain page to see if the picture of aparticular style fits the room1. In any case, look at the

pictures with great care. Examine the varying systems of

pattern: you will immediately see that a carpet made in

Baluchistan is very different from one crafted in

Istanbul.

Rug Shapes & SizesThe shape of your rug will firstly be determined by your

particular taste and secondly by the room and area youare looking to place your rug. The size of your rug will

be determined by the amount of space you have to

work within your chosen room or area. In a particular

situation, if you want to have only one rug for a room, it

should be cover at least one third area of the floor.

Read through our tips on which rug shapes suit which

areas:

Rectangular Rectangular rugs are the most

common rugs in the world and are rectangular

in shape varying in size. Rectangular rugs are

suited to large areas, such as living areas and

dining rooms.

RunnerA runner rug is very long and narrow

and rectangular in shape. Runners are most

commonly used in hallways, stairways, and

entrances.

Round Round rugs are equal in length and

width. Round rugs can be used in living areas

under round coffee tables to add emphasis to

the middle of the area.

Oval Oval rugs are quite uncommon and have

no set standard sizing available.

SquareSquare rugs are equal in length and

width. Square area rugs are ideal for square

rooms.

Odd Shapes Often some odd shaped rugs are

available, such as octagonal and hexagonal.

Handy Rug Laying HintsFor a rug that is defining an area, there should be no

more than two feet of empty rug extending out from

behind the furniture. A rug used for defining is unifying

the items placed around it if the rug is large enough to

accommodate at least the front legs of each piece of

furniture.

A rug for a dining room should extend eighteen inches

to twentyfour inches beyond the table, with generally

an eightby tenfoot rug working in most living rooms

and dining rooms. For small areas, such as coffee tables

a sixby fourfoot or a sixby ninefoot rug is sufficient.

1To get a feel of our rug(s) you can print details and photos of a carpet on every carpet page by clicking 'Print Preview'

link just above carpet photo.


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Care and use of Oriental Rugs and Carpets

Carpets in a house help to reduce noise levels

and minimize heat loss through the floor. They

are also more comfortable to lie on or to sit on

than a hard wooden floor.

Carpets are harder to clean than bare floors,

spilled drinks may stain them, and they tend to

collect fur from family pets. They should be

vacuumed regularly in order to prevent the

accumulation of dust.

Dust mites can survive very well in carpets,

which can be problematic for sufferers of

asthma who are allergic to them.

When using your Oriental rugs are on the floor,

use carpet cushions (pads). There is no question

that a carpet pad prolongs the life of your

Oriental rug or Kilim. In most cases, the best is

plastic foam that will not migrate color to the

rug or to the floor and will offer good wear

protection. Do not use a rubber, jute or waffle

pad.

Flip the rugs over periodically so there will be

even distribution of fading and wear on both

sides.

Have your Oriental rugs and other wool area

rugs treated for moths, carpet beetles and

destructive insects. Inspect the rugs periodically

for insect damage.

Vacuum your rug moderately using a vacuum

without the "beater bar."

Clean spills immediately. The quicker the

cleanup, the less likely that your rug will sustain

permanent staining.

House train your dog or cat. Urine stains usually

cannot be removed and the pets can do a great

amount of damage by chewing your treasured

weaving.

Do not allow the rugs to get wet. If they do get

wet, make sure that they dry in the shortest

possible time. A "wet vacuum" and a fan can

help.

Do not allow any prolonged moisture to

penetrate the rug. An example would be a

flower pot set on the rug, thereby causing dry

rot or mildew damage.

Have your rugs cleaned when noticeably dirty

and only by a specialist with a thorough

knowledge of Oriental and other area rugs and

carpets. Do not have the Oriental rugs or

carpets "drycleaned", "steam cleaned" or

cleaned by any automated means.

Have any fraying tears or other damage

repaired immediately. If a torn or damaged area

is allowed to continue fraying, it can greatly

decrease the beauty and value of your

rug. Remember that quality restoration can

save many dollars in future repair costs and also

serves to retain the beauty and value of your

oriental rug.


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Removing Stains

Wool Rugs Maintenance

The following are instructions for maintaining your rug:

Vacuum regularly; at least once a week. You should empty vacuum bag when half full.

Wet clean as required; generally not more than once every two years, preferably by a professional carpet

cleaner.

Cope with stains immediately. Move quickly. The sooner the stain is properly treated, the less the chance of

permanent damage.

Techniques on cleaning stains:

DO IT QUICKLY.

Blot up excess moisture. DO NOT RUB.

Apply antidote from the following list with a clean cloth, working from edges to center. DO NOT SOAK.

Blot up excess antidote with clean dry cloth. Dry with fan or hair dryer.

Restore direction of pile with a soft brush.

STAIN TREATMENTS FOR WOOL RUGS

Acids Detergent / Vinegar

Alcoholic Beverages Detergent / Vinegar / Cleaning Solvent

Bleach Detergent / Vinegar

Blood Detergent / Vinegar / Starch Paste

Butter Cleaning Solvent

Candle Wax / Crayon Absorbent Paper and Warm Iron

Chewing Gum Freeze with Ice / Scrape / Solvent

Chocolate Detergent / Vinegar / Cleaning Solvent

Coffee Glycerin

Cola / Soft Drink Warm Water / Detergent


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Cosmetics Detergent / Vinegar / Cleaning Solvent

Cooking Oil Cleaning Solvent / Detergent

Egg Detergent

Fruit Juices Cold Water / Detergent

Furniture Polish Cleaning Solvent / Detergent / Ammonia

Gravy / Sauces Warm Water / Detergent

Grease / Oil Cleaning Solvent / Detergent

Ice Cream / Milk Warm Water / Solvent / Detergent

Ink (Ball Point) Cleaning Solvent / Alcohol / Detergent

Iodine Alcohol

Mildew Call a reputable cleaner

Mud Detergent

Nail Polish Clear Polish Remover / Cleaning Solvent

Paint (Latex) Detergent / Ammonia / Cleaning Solvent

Paint (Oil) Alcohol / Cleaning Solvent / Detergent

Rust Solvent / Detergent / Rust Remover

Salad Dressing Detergent / Cleaning Solvent

Shoe Polish Cleaning Solvent / Detergent

Tar Cleaning Solvent

Tea Cold Water / Detergent / Solvent

Urine Detergent / Vinegar

Vomit Detergent / Vinegar / Cleaning Solvent

Wine Absorbent Powder / Cold Water / Detergent


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Detergent Solution: One teaspoon clear dish washing soap in one cup warm water.

Ammonia Solution: One tablespoon clear ammonia in 1/2 cup water.

Vinegar Solution: 1/3 cup white vinegar in 2/3 cup water.

Solvent: A drycleaning solvent (available at hardware and grocery stores)

Silk Rugs Maintenance

Protect your silk carpet from heavy use and soiling. A silk carpet is a luxury and should be treated accordingly.

Lightly vacuum as needed. Avoid catching the fringe in the vacuum.

Inspect your carpet regularly for wear and damage. By turning the carpet frequently, regulate its use to evenly

distribute wear.

If the carpet has sustained structural damage such as holes through the carpet, worn pile, or tattered fringes

and edges contact an Oriental rug repair specialist.

If your carpet becomes stained follow these instructions:

1. Work fast.

2. Blot up excess spill using paper towels or a clean cloth. Do not rub the affected area.

3. If the area is not stained, dry it with a fan or hair blower. Restore the pile's direction with a clothes brush.

4. If the area has borne a stain, contact an Oriental rug repair specialist.


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Rug Revelations

"You want to look for basically the same thing you

would in buying carpet," summarizes Barbra Wilson,

technical information manager for the Carpet and Rug

Institute. Wilson makes these suggestions: Look for rugsthat feature a dense construction. You dont want to

see your floor, or carpet, easily through the fiber.

Choose a shorter pile for a hightraffic area; a taller pile

height for a lowtraffic area. Make sure to secure the

rug so that it does not slide. There are two kinds of

nonskid mats: One for hard surfaces, such as hardwood

floors or linoleum; and one for rugs on top of carpet.

If youre using an area rug as the focal point of a room,

consider buying a rug with a medallion shape in thecenter. Repetitive patterns are better for floors in front

of fireplaces or bay windows. Simpler patterns contrast

well with ornate wallpaper or furniture upholstery. Feel

free to have two different patterns of area rug in the

same room, as long as the patterns complement each

other. Bring samples of wallpaper or paint when

shopping for new area rugs.

Interior designers suggest three basic methods ofdecorating with area rugs: The focal point method (use

of an eyecatching rug as the foundation of your interior

for rooms with relatively neutral decor); the accessory

method (use of a delicately patterned rug as an

accessory to a busy interior, with colors that blend well

with existing paint, furniture, and other design

elements); and the practical method (use of darker

colors and sturdier fabrics for hightraffic areas, lighter

colors for an open an airy look, deeper colors for a

cozier feel, etc.). Large area rugs go well in living rooms,kitchens, and large bedrooms, while smaller area rugs

work best in foyers, hallways and bathrooms. Rugs

placed under tables should be larger than the table

itself, ideally with an equal amount of border showing

on all sides.


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Oriental Rug Care

Rotatingfrequently your rugs to equalize the damaging

affects of the sun. Because continual direct exposure to

sunlight will damage a rug over time, use window

shades, shutters, or heavy curtains to safeguard yourinvestment.

Protect your rugs from Fumesand Dampnessfrom

furnaces, stoves, chimneys and auto exhaust can mix

with humidity in the atmosphere to form an acid that

fades and deteriorates the appearance of wool. Over

time, dampness will rot the threads and destroy the

fibers of a rug. Keep them in a dry environment.

Wear and tear:If a rug is cut or torn, have a competent

person repair the damage as soon as possible. Holes can

expand very quickly and ruin an otherwise repairable

carpet. With ordinary use, the selvage edges tend to

fray as they are not as compressed as the rug pile. Worn

edges can easily be redrawn. Fringes can be replaced.

Worn or damaged areas in the middle of a rug can be

reknotted. Even large holes can be restored. (Although

this kind of work is rather expensive.) To repair a less

valuable rug, a patch from a similar rug can be woven

into the damaged area. Sometimes a serviceable small

rug can be made from the undamaged portions of a

large carpet.

Mothscan cause extensive damage to Oriental rugs;

however, a carpet in normal use is rarely in danger from

moths. Frequent rotation and regular exposure to light

and air usually keeps moths at bay. Not only do moths

eat the pile, but they can also eat the knots on the back

of a rug. Moths are especially attracted to areas under

furniture that remain relatively undisturbed. Eliminate

these pests and safeguard against their return by

spraying the front and back of a carpet every six months

with moth spray.

Paddingan Oriental rug the life can be doubled with the

use of goodquality padding. Padding protects the rug,

especially in heavilytrafficked areas. The best padding

is made of hair or fiber with a rubberized surface to

prevent moving and wrinkling. Avoid synthetic pad that

takes on the appearance of rubber as it turns to an

abrasive powder after several years.

Cleaning:The beauty and life of Oriental rugs are vitally

dependent on their cleanliness. Lack of maintenance

will contribute to loss in the potential investment.

Sweepingthe rug with a broom at least once a week

removes loose soil and brings out it's natural sheen

Beatingis one of the best methods for cleaning a rug. It

should be beaten several times on each side, always in

dry weather.

Vacuuming:Try to use a low suction level and a new

bag. Never vacuum against the nap, as this presses dirt

back into the rug. (Run your hand across the pile from

fringe to fringe to determine the direction of the nap.)

Do not vacuum the fringes. The suction of a powerful

vacuum cleaner can tear the fringe.

Washing:Oriental rugs should be washed every three

to five years, depending on their use and the amount of

traffic they endure. Using steamcleaning or chemicals

on an Oriental rug removes the natural oils from the

wool. The pile becomes brittle, and the carpet wears

out sooner. Do not, unless absolutely necessary,

submerge an Oriental rug in water. Surface cleaning is

usually all that is required.

Crushed pile:Revive carpet pile that has been crushed

by heavy furniture by brushing the indented area with a

soft brush. Moisten with a spray bottle, and brush

again.

Hanging:Do not use nails or staples to hang a large and

heavy rug for long periods of time. Before hanging a

carpet on the wall, be certain that the warp threads can

stand the strain. Use a strong poster holder to distribute

the weight of the rug evenly across.


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Storage:If a rug must be stored, it must be inspected

regularly. To store a rug, wrap it in fabric. An Oriental

rug needs to breathe. It can rot or mildew in plastic. A

rug can be rolled up and stored in a chest with some

paradichlorobenzene crystals, which make the wool

inedible to moths. Renew the mothproofing every few

months. Large carpets should be rolled around poleswith the protruding ends resting on blocks or trestles.

DO NOT lay carpets flat on top of one another for any

length of time. A rug stored in a damp or humid area

will mildew, which discolors and weakens the fibers. A

hot or poorly ventilated storage area will dry out the

base of the rug, making it brittle, destroying strength

and durability. If you act immediately, you can prevent

virtually any spill from becoming a stain.

By following the about mentioned hints your carpet will

give you many years of enjoyment.

handmade rugs guide from alrug

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