 | Jason Jabara is the current manager at Jabara’s Carpet Galerie. After graduating from WSU, the family business became a large part of Jason’s adult life. His father Tom, mother Susan, brother Josh and his uncle George assisted in that endeavor to a large degree. Perhaps one of Jason’s greatest strengths is his hands-on approach. Jason can be reached by calling (316) 267-2585 or you may visit their website @ www.jabaras.com. |
Carpet, Tile & Floor Covering
2008-07-01 15:11:00
Oriental rugs
Question: Can someone please help me understand all the verbiage associated with Oriental Rugs?
Answer: Great question and I’ll try to sort out the different terms.
Handmade: With referring to handmade this can mean many things. Price and quality depend on a number of factors I’ve listed below
Hand tufted: A tufted rug is made using a mechanical tufting tool that secures and inserts the yarns in the backing, often canvas. Since the tufted yarns are not securely enclosed by a “knot,” the backs of these rugs are usually sprayed or painted with adhesives to secure the pile yarn. These rugs cannot be truly called “Oriental rugs.”
Hand knotted: In a hand-knotted rug, each yarn is individually tied in a knot by the weaver. Each knot of yarn is tied securely around 2 or 3 strands of “warp yarn,” which is the vertical yarn set up initially on the loom as the basis for the rug that will be woven upon it. This is a completely hand-made process, no mechanical tools are used.
A hand-knotted rug will be more expensive than a tufted rug. In addition, a hand-knotted rug made in the “crossed” style of weaving is more time consuming and durable (and expensive) than an uncrossed rug.
Shearing: After the rug is woven, overall shearing of the pile is done by hand, to an even depth, or to variations of textural depth specified by the designer. Shapes within the overall design are usually incised, cut around carefully by hand to create dimension and clarity of design.
Knot count: refers to “knots per square inch.” The more detailed and complex the design, and the finer/thinner the wool, the more knots are required for clarity of color and design. High-quality rugs usually range from 50 to 100 knots per inch. Imagine the work that goes into that kind of hand weaving! Knot density will affect the cost of the rug.
Where was the rug made?
You’ve heard of a Persian rug or a Chinese rug or a Tibetan rug--all of which fall into the Oriental rug category, which covers rugs from China to Viet Nam, Turkey to Tibet, Iran to India. The finest Tibetan rugs are hand knotted in Nepal and India, often by organizations that employ local families in the rug-making process, says Barbara Jacobs, an artist who designs her own line of rugs,
What is it made of?
Materials: Many Oriental rugs are made from wool and/or silk. As the basis and primary material, wool is the most resilient, comfortable and durable material to use in these rugs. To add variations of color, texture and design, silk is often used as a “highlight” accent. Another interesting and durable material that is used for textural and color variation is the fiber called “Allo,” or Himalayan Nettle plant. Oriental rugs often incorporate hand-dyeing and hand-carding as part of the weaving process.
Should I order a rug sight unseen?
Time: As with all custom furnishings, high-quality rugs take time to produce. If you don’t find what you want in stock, you can order a rug and expect delivery in about four months, Barbara Jacobs says. Customizing your rug will take longer and will usually carry a surcharge because with each change that is made a new “graph” or design pattern needs to be made by the manufacturers prior to starting the rug. Additional fees may also apply when you ask a designer to create custom variations and color specifications.
Strikeoff: This term refers to a sample size rug, made in order to confirm colors for a custom order. Usually these samples are from one foot square to two feet square. There is typically a fee for creating the samples, since yarn has to be dyed and the piece has to be woven as if it is a miniature rug. The design on a strikeoff, however, is not of the entire rug but rather of a corner piece or other segment to show yarn types, colors, and weaving style.
Pros and cons: Although there is a nominal additional cost, and many weeks added to the production process, you will have an actual piece of rug to see (and keep), that has your custom color selections incorporated in it. This can be particularly helpful if you will be shopping for other furnishings for the same room or adjacent areas.
