What to Do When You Choose Not to Restore Your Beloved, but Damaged, Oriental Rug


In our last post we discussed the various factors that go into a well considered decision against undertaking a full restoration of a damaged Oriental rug.  Although good quality handmade rugs can literally last a lifetime - actually, several lifetimes - there are instances when a full restoration of a damaged hand knotted rug is not prudent.  What can be done in those instances?  We have outlined in the past what options can be done to "recycle" the sound parts of rugs, but what happens when an owner wants to continue to use the piece as a rug and not as a wall hanging or furniture cover, etc?  In these instances, a more limited repair might be advisable.  Limited repairs on significantly damaged areas should focus on:

1.  Reinforcing all compromised fringes and selvage sections.  Generally, if a rug has a sound perimeter and it is not subject to significant stresses (such as high traffic or heavy furniture passing across its pile), a rug with a slightly damaged pile but sound perimeter can still last some time before it is too far gone.
2.   Repair any significant tears.  It is always ideal to restore tears so that the pile is reknotted in the style and manner of the original rug.  In a limited repair, however, merely sewing a tear can buy an owner some time (and save some money on the repair).
3.  Patch pieces from other rugs into existing holes in your damaged rug.  This is not a permanent solution by any means, but it can buy an owner a couple of years with their beloved rug.
4.   Sew a canvas backing onto a damaged rug.  This again is a temporary solution, at best, but it can provide an owner with some time with his or her rug without undertaking a costly restoration.

Note, however, that even these limited more modest repairs should follow a thorough professional cleaning if a rug exhibits any sign of current or past moth infestation.  Moth damage can happen quite quickly so regular periodic inspections of rugs is highly advised to prevent unnecessary destruction of beautiful sound rugs by pesky moths.   --www.traditionalrugrepair.com