The fringe of a carpet is considered the most important part, as it helps to keep the carpet strong and prevents its fibers from tearing and deteriorating. However, this fringe can become decayed and damaged due to various factors and must be restored or repaired. If not repaired, it can lead to the destruction of the entire carpet. The repair of the carpet fringe, whether the carpet is handmade or machine-made, can be carried out either by machine or manually. Both methods should be performed by specialists.

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What is Carpet Fringe Repair?

As you know, carpets are woven on a warp, which is a strong interlaced fiber structure where the carpet knots are tied. When the carpet weaving is completed, these warps are cut slightly above the last row of knots, and in the final row of carpet knots, they are woven for a few rows and tightly knotted to protect the warp and weft of the carpet and to prevent the fibers from separating. This part of the carpet warp, visible at both ends of the carpet, is called the fringe, and it plays a very important role in maintaining the integrity of the carpet. If the fringe is damaged or decayed, it can potentially harm the entire weave of the carpet. Therefore, if your carpet fringe is damaged, it is advisable to consult professionals who specialize in carpet fringe restoration and repair before the entire carpet deteriorates.

Now that you understand what the carpet fringe is and its function, let’s discuss what carpet fringe repair involves. Carpet fringe repair means the reconstruction and renovation of the decayed fringe, performed by a specialist. In fringe repair, strong fibers are used and secured in the last row of carpet knots to reinforce the warp and weft of the carpet and prevent its deterioration. In other words, this process involves weaving a new fringe for your carpet, sometimes over the old fringe and sometimes by removing the old fringe and weaving a new one in its place.

Carpet Fringe Repair at Home

Carpet fringe repair must be carried out by specialists because if an unskilled person performs this task, they might not be able to knot or secure the fringe properly, and your carpet could tear after a short time. This would happen because the fringe would only be superficial and not serve its purpose effectively.

One of the places where you can find specialists for carpet fringe repair is reputable carpet cleaning services. If your carpet fringe is damaged, you can ask them to repair or restore it when you send your carpet for cleaning.

However, if you do not intend to have your carpet cleaned and only want to repair the fringe, you can contact carpet cleaning services that offer home carpet fringe repair. They will come to your home to perform the repair.

It’s important to note that before the fringe repair process, your carpet must be clean. If it needs washing, it should be washed. If it doesn’t require washing, it should be thoroughly vacuumed to remove all dust and dirt before starting the fringe repair.

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Carpet Fringe Repair Cost

The cost of repairing and restoring a handmade carpet varies and is calculated based on several factors. For example, whether you take your carpet to a carpet cleaning service or request them to come to your home for the repair will affect the price. Additionally, the extent of the damage to the fringe of your handmade carpet and the material and type of your carpet will also play a role in the cost calculation.

Another factor influencing the cost of carpet fringe repair is the type of fringe applied to your carpet. There are two methods for repairing the fringe, and each has a different cost. The exact price can be determined after an expert examines the carpet.

For an approximate price estimate, you can contact Tarreh Carpet Cleaning Service. If you wish, you can entrust your damaged carpet to our specialists for repair, and you will receive your carpet back in perfect condition in the shortest possible time.

How is Carpet Fringe Restoration Done?

Carpet fringe restoration is similar to repair, involving the same processes. The difference lies in the extent of the work. Restoration occurs when the fringe is not severely damaged but is beginning to deteriorate. In this case, the damaged fringe is not completely removed. Instead, the fringe is reinforced to prevent further damage. This involves tightening the knots or weaving new fringe into the torn sections.

In contrast, repair is needed when the fringe is beyond restoration. In such cases, the entire fringe is usually removed, and a new fringe is woven from scratch, which naturally takes more time.

Some carpet cleaning services perform fringe restoration even if you haven’t requested it. You might not notice that your carpet’s fringe needs restoration, but the staff at the cleaning service will and may take the initiative to restore it. However, not all cleaning services offer this; only those that are meticulous and customer satisfaction-oriented, like Tarreh Carpet Cleaning Service, provide such detailed care.

It’s advisable to inspect your carpet thoroughly before sending it to an online cleaning service. If you notice any part of the fringe needing restoration or repair, you can request them to address it.

Benefits of Carpet Fringe Repair

As mentioned at the beginning of the article, the fringe of a carpet serves as a sort of binding that helps to keep the fibers and weaves of the carpet intact, ensuring its overall durability. If the fringe of your carpet is decayed or damaged and you do not repair it, the damaged fringe will eventually lose its effectiveness. It will no longer act as a binding, causing the fibers and weaves of your carpet to separate and loosen. Sometimes, the fibers underneath the fringe might detach from the carpet, leading to tears. When your carpet tears, you will have no choice but to buy a new one.

Thus, one of the most important benefits of carpet fringe repair is cost reduction. By repairing the fringe, you avoid the need to purchase a new carpet, thus saving money.

In addition to the cost-saving benefit, the following advantages can also be attributed to carpet fringe repair:

– Enhances the Appearance of Your Carpet: The fringe contributes to the overall aesthetic appeal of the carpet. This is why modern machine-made carpets often feature beautifully designed fringes.

– Prevents Costly Repairs: If the fringe is not repaired and leads to a tear in your carpet, the cost to repair the tear will be significantly higher. Therefore, repairing the fringe can prevent the need for expensive carpet tear repairs.

– Increases the Longevity of Your Carpet: Properly maintaining and repairing the fringe extends the life of your carpet.

– Additional Benefits: Regular maintenance and timely repair of the fringe ensure the carpet remains in good condition, preserving its value and functionality over time.

How to Repair Carpet Fringe

The repair and restoration of carpet fringe vary depending on whether the carpet is machine-made or handmade. Machine-made carpet fringe repairs are typically performed using machines and equipment, with the type of thread determined by the customer’s preference and the material of the warp thread. On the other hand, repairing the fringe of handmade carpets, particularly valuable and exquisite Persian carpets, is done manually by skilled experts. The thread used for handmade carpet fringe repair is usually silk, although it depends on the material of the warp thread.

Fringe repair for handmade carpets, as mentioned, is performed manually using two main methods:

Core Method

In this method, a wooden board with several nails is used, resembling the upper part of a carpet loom. The carpet is positioned so that the damaged fringe is aligned with the nails on the wooden board. One end of the thread is tied to a nail, and the other end is placed near the fringe of the carpet. Using a needle-threaded with another thread, the fringe is sewn through the last row of knots of the handmade carpet. The free end of the thread is then tied to the nail again. This process is repeated several times with the same nail before moving on to the next nail, until the entire fringe is sewn. Finally, the knotted threads are cut off from the nails.

Botlama Method

In this method, the carpet is placed on an inclined surface. The repair begins from one end of the carpet, working towards the other end, and then back again, ensuring that the fringe is securely reinforced. The needle is inserted a few rows below the last row of the carpet, and a small portion of the upper part of the carpet also becomes part of the fringe.

While there are other methods for fringe repair, these two are the most commonly used. The method chosen depends on the weaving style of your carpet, ensuring the fringe repair aligns with the original construction.

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Manual Carpet Fringe Repair Tutorial

As mentioned above, there are two methods for repairing carpet fringe. Here, we provide a step-by-step guide on how to perform these methods:

Core Method Tutorial

1. Materials Needed:
– A wooden rod or post with several large nails hammered in at suitable intervals. The nails should be about one-third embedded in the wood, leaving two-thirds exposed.
– Warp thread matching your carpet.

2. Steps:
– Position the carpet in front of the wooden rod where the fringe needs repair.
– Tie one end of the warp thread to a nail and place the other end at the last row of knots on the carpet.
– Using another warp thread with a large needle attached, sew this thread into the carpet through the last row of knots.
– Tie the thread back to the same nail.
– Repeat this process about 4 to 5 times for each nail before moving on to the next one.
– Continue this method until the entire fringe is sewn.
– Finally, cut all the tied threads from the nails using scissors.
– Your carpet fringe should look like the image below.

Botlama Method Tutorial

1. Materials Needed:
– Warp thread matching your carpet.
– A large needle.

2. Steps:
– Thread the large needle with the warp thread, ensuring one end of the thread is longer than the other.
– Insert the needle a few rows below the last row of the carpet and bring it out from the back.
– Reinsert the needle at the same point and bring it out again at a slight distance, similar to the previous stitch.
– Continue this stitching method across the length of the carpet.
– Once you reach the end, start again from the opposite end and work back towards the beginning.
– Repeat these rows until you reach the last row of knots.

While the steps for both methods may seem simple in writing, successfully executing these techniques requires training in carpet weaving. Simply following these instructions without proper training will not suffice.

Therefore, it is advisable to leave carpet fringe repair to professionals in this field and save yourself the time and effort. These methods are quite complex, and even the Botlama method can be executed in several different ways.

For further reading on carpet stretching (dar-keshi), you can explore more detailed resources.

Necessary Tools for Carpet Fringe Repair

1. Warp Thread

– The warp thread used for fringe repair should match the carpet’s original warp thread, usually slightly thinner.

2. Botlama Thread

– This thread is used at the end of the carpet fringe to connect the fringe to the warp thread. It is typically made of silk.

3. Needle

– The needle size should match the thickness of the woolen handmade carpet to easily penetrate the weave.

4. Scissors

– Scissors are used for cutting threads.

5. Comb (Daftin)

– Used to tighten the weave of the fringe.

6. Carpet Weaving Knife

– This knife is used for cutting threads after tying knots.

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Why Carpet Fringe Decays

Various factors contribute to the decay of carpet fringe, including moisture, direct sunlight, improper washing methods, and the use of unsuitable detergents. Additionally, carpets are constantly subjected to foot traffic, which can lead to fringe decay over time.

However, if the fringe thread is of high quality and the carpet is maintained properly, the fringe is less likely to decay and deteriorate.

Methods for Carpet Fringe Repair

For machine-made carpets, repair is usually done using machines, or by replacing the damaged fringe with ready-made fringe available in the market. These are then firmly and neatly sewn onto the carpet’s knots. However, repairing the fringe of handmade carpets is a specialized task. Various methods are used, such as the loop method, knot method, mesh method, braid method, and others. The method chosen depends on the specific weave of your carpet.

Carpet Fringe Restoration

Carpet fringe restoration involves repairing and mending the fringe based on the extent of the damage. If the damage is extensive, the fringe is completely trimmed and a new fringe is created from scratch. If the damage is minor, only the affected part is repaired and restored.