Weaving rugs was never really my fortey. But in my family, it is a tradition to craft one whenever there’s a new member joining the family.
That reminds me, did you hear? “In 2024 the global rug industry is supposed to generate $50.07 billion🫨”
Now if the value is that high I suppose it doesn’t hurt at all to learn and weave some, don’t you think? Who knows maybe I’ll end up starting my own business using it😏
To the topic of how to finish a woven rug of yours, you’d be surprised to know that there are actually not just 1 but 3 techniques to try. These techniques are called…
- Hemming Technique
- Fringe Finishing
- Hemstitching &
But of course, there is some certain step-by-step instructions I followed to get the best result. That was the most important part to me. Wanna know more? Keep reading!!
Let’s see what do we have here
Table of Contents
Can you finish a woven rug by yourself?
Yes, you can secure and finish a woven rug by yourself. No doubt about that. Since you went through the trouble of learning what is a woven carpet and weaving one eventually. How can I not help you with the finishing blow🥹
Besides doing it by yourself not only helps your pocket but also allows you to customize the rug to your liking.
How to Finish a Woven Rug?
To finish a woven rug, as I said earlier I found 4 awesome finishing techniques being followed by experts. Based on your preference and need you can pick any of them and go on. But if you are a sort of perfection-conscious person like me then you can follow my step-by-step guide too😉
At first, I was a total novice and didn’t know much. But then I learned that the durability of my plush carpet or how long will my carpet last depends on it.
Luckily an expert friend of mine helped me out and came up with these 4 simple steps-
- Prepare the Edges
- Secure the Edges
- Add Fringe
- Inspect and Trim… And you are all done!!😃
We’ll discuss further but let’s see what’s up with the technique first, alright? I believe it will help you with the whole task.
| SL | Technique | Usage rate |
| 1 | Hemming Technique | High |
| 2 | Fringe Finishing | Moderate |
| 3 | Hemstitching | Low |
The carpet manufacturer and the hand weavers I went through all and found that the Hemming Technique really is the most popular among them… So, why not learn a little about them right?
Hemming Technique
It’s a common way to handy finish compact edges of woven rugs around the globe. I learned that it involves folding the raw edges under and sewing them in place, impressively easy.🤫
However, the width of the hem can vary based on your personal preference, so don’t rush if you are using this technique.
Many go with the typical measure, which says- “ The hem width ranges from 1 inch (2.54 cm) to 3 inches (7.62 cm) on each side of the rug.”
Fringe Technique
The second most famous technique Fringe also known as Tassel adds a decorative touch and secures the weaving at the same time. These techniques specifically include hand-twisted and braided fringe. It looks so Kawaiii…
“You can create fringed edge by leaving warp threads uncut at the edges of the rug. Then simply braid it like some long straight hair of a beautiful girl.”
If you wanna calculate the fringe density (knots per sq/m), then measure 10 cm (about 4 In.) across and 10 centimeters down on the back of the rug that you are working on. After that multiply these 2 measurements, and multiply the result by 100 to get the total number of knots in 1 sq/m.
Hemstitching Technique
This technique of hemstitched edge creates a really neat edge by securing the warp ends of your carpet.
It’s commonly used for rugs and other textiles, but not much for large carpets.
If the rigid-heddle loom doesn’t intimidate you then there’s Square Hemstitching that creates squares on one side of the fabric and Xs on the reverse. Not just me The HANDWOVEN said so too. See__
Now that the techniques are out of the bag, let’s see how I did it. You still with me, aren’t you?🥺
Tools Needed to Finish a Woven Rug
While I was cutting my woven rug not arranging the necessary tools wasted quite some time of mine.
So, I advise before you start, make sure you have the following tools gathered first.
- Scissors
- Fabric glue
- Fabric strips
- Carpet needle
- Measuring tape
- Weaving warp and weft yarns
Finish a Woven Rug by Yourself
Now that you have the tools at hand you can go forward and finish your woven rug by yourself.
Right below I’ve explained 4 steps that I followed and you can do so too.🫠
- Prepare the Edges
- Secure the Edges
- Add Fringe
- Inspect and Trim
Prepare the Edges
The first step of finishing your woven rug is preparing the edges. It includes your knowledge of how thick your plush carpet is too. If your one is not plush still you gotta know about the thickness to understand the situation you’re gonna be in.
You gotta trim the edges to make sure that they are even. Also, you gotta use a carpet needle and weft yarns to create the overhand knots along the edges.
Secure the Edges
When you are done with the prep work, you gotta apply fabric glue to the edges to prevent them from fraying.
Fabric glue isn’t the mandatory subject though. If you want you can use binding tape for a more secure finish, which I did.🤠
Add Fringe
Yeah, you guessed it right. I used the fringe technique the second most used one. If you are still following then your next step is cutting some fabric strips and attaching them to the edges.
You can create a twisted fringe or use hand-tied knots to make it more decorative. Their plenty of braid types just pick any and go on…
Inspect and Trim
Lastly, check for any loose threads that you might have missed and trim them cleanly. Don’t forget to make sure that the edges are securely fastened.
That’s about it with my task of finishing my woven rug, now what about you?
Mistakes to Avoid When Finishing a Woven Rug
Here I’ve noted down some mistakes that I find obvious that you’ll be making. Most of the people did anyway. So, go through these before you start too, alright?
- Skipping the Securing Step: Never forget to secure the edges with fabric glue or binding tape. You surely don’t wanna see the mess when it starts fraying.
- Uneven Edges: Measuring and trimming the edges evenly is a must for me. Besides doing so gives off a very professional look.
- Improper Tools: You gotta use the correct tools, such as a carpet needle and fabric strips, to avoid damaging the rugs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Do I Bind the Edges of a Woven Rug?
To bind the edges of a woven rug, you definitely need to use a carpet needle. Because, using this you’ll be sewing overhand knots with weft yarns. Don’t forget to apply fabric glue for additional security. Although, you can use binding tape for a cleaner finish as well.
How to Get Waves Out of a Rug?
To get waves out of a rug, you need to lay it flat and apply weight evenly across the surface. You can also try using a steam iron on low heat, but be careful not to damage the fibers. It would be a total disaster if you weren’t careful.
Can I Use Fabric Glue to Secure the Edges of My Woven Rug?
Yes, you can use fabric glue to secure the edges of your woven rug. It’s an effective way to prevent fraying. However, make sure that you apply it evenly and give it enough time to dry completely.
How Do I Add a Fringe to a Woven Rug?
To add a fringe to a woven rug, you’ve gotta cut fabric strips and attach them to the edges. You can try creating a twisted fringe by twisting the strips before you secure them. Also, you can use hand-tied knots for a classic look.
The end of The Story Is
When it’s about how to finish a woven rug, no need to fret over it. You definitely can do so by yourself. But make sure that you are careful enough not to let it fray or damage it in any other way.
I’m not a fan of the clipping techniques. If you are like me then you just gotta pick rag and choose from the exquisite finishing techniques that I explained. The only thing left to do after is to enjoy the process.
Happy carpeting!🥰
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