Hello Rug Chick readers!
I’ve been getting a few questions about rug repair, and my mother Kate and I recently spoke at the San Diego Weavers Guild meeting speaking specifically to rug repairs and our philosophies on them.
Here’s a simple little rug repair of field wear. Not reweaving, but selective embroidery stitching (to protect the original foundation fibers) and a little dye work to blend it in.
Field wear in an older Hamadan rug.
Tada! The Hamadan gets a facelift!
Several years ago we had a few sold-out hands-on rug repair clinics to train the basics of rug maintenance and specialty repairs. Not reweaving and reknotting rugs, but the most requested repairs: ends, sides, and field wear work (including patches).
After our presentation at this workshop we wondered – is it time to have some more Rug Repair Workshops?
So – if you are interested, let me know by posting down below in the COMMENTS. If there is enough interest then we will work together a curriculum, set some dates at our rug facility in San Diego, and let you know how to register.
Enjoy your weekend!
- Lisa
I need a couple of weeks notice, so i can schedule some time off. I will be there.
Luis
I have 29 years experience and have been looking for a class to repair rugs. I already know some of it but I crave more. Hope to hear from you soon.
PS. Imet Dusty Roberts in Atlanta 1 1\2 months ago and had a long discussion with him about this.
He is a cool guy…
Hi Lisa,
My wife Jill and I are always looking to expand our rug knowledge.
Thanks
Jay
Hi Luis, Keith, and Jay – I have you all on my list. There is a CCINW rug repair event happening in August in Seattle, that you can find information at http://www.CCINW.org. The instructor is great.
Since they are having that event, I will look at having one later in the year, and will let you all know in plenty of time.
Have a FANTASTIC weekend!
Lisa
Yea this is true that everybody will claim that they are certified and licensed trained professionals. But I never think that they did such kind of tricks!!! The best idea to know professional trained is observing the result of their work.
Hey Lisa
It was nice to read the info about you, and your classes, i am a member with your company piranha (www.ethicalservices.com) i have a rug repair company based in Brooklyn NY, but i am planing on going to San Diego some times, would love to visit your facility.
Thank you Haim Shemesh
Sunlight fine rug care.
Hi Haim – thank you for dropping by my blog. We get requests for drop by tours all of the time, which we have to turn down because of time issues (i.e. we need to work – LOL) – but I always make exceptions for Piranha Members. So just shoot me an email when you plan to be around at rugwarrior@gmail.com. I travel a lot – I’m teaching a big Piranha workshop on rug and fine fabric care with Jim Pemberton August 6-7 in Vegas, let me know if you are planning on being there. Look forward to meetings you. Us “rug” people need to stick together!
– Lisa
Lisa,
I have a definite interest in attending a rug repair class whenever you can make the time to make it happen.
Please keep me posted.
Thanks
Mike – I will put you on my list – thank you. – Lisa
Hi Lisa,
I too am very interested in a repair class!
All the best,
Michael
I would definitely be interested in such a class!
It is really good to see that some traditional skills are being taught and passed on.
Thanks for the post!
Hi Lisa,
Hope you can help.
We are buying very old carpets( iran, pakistan, turkey etc) and want to do something different with them.
We have seen cool vintage carpets that were bleached and than painted again with one colour.
The carpets looked very old and used. Just perfect and it is becomming popular now.
The carpets that we bought we treated with a sanding machines to make them look even older and make the ends come loose.
Now we want to bleach them but the problem is that we don’t have a huge machine that can do that. Same for the colouring. Do you have any tips on how we can bleach a carpet from 4×3 meters? And how we can dye it after?
Maybe this all sounds horrible to you but believe me, the results are fantastic and it creates a new style out of persian carpets.
I can email you pictures of the carpets i have seen if you want so you have a better idea,
Let me know!!
BR
Martijn Dijkstra
CEO Designtegels
Azule group of companies
Would love to attend a rug repair class. Please let me know it you have one.
Thank You
Rick
Sorry Martijn – I would never do that type of chemical damage to old carpets. A 9×12 Pakistan rug today takes several weavers an average 14 months to complete, working 6 day workweeks, 10 hour days. And that is for new hand woven product. I just would not ever be okay with taking a piece of someone’s life, woven as a textile, and put it through something that dissolves the fibers like bleach does. I’m sure some may love the results you can create, but they are temporary because it causes irreversible structural damage to the fibers… so to me it’s like taking a hand carved wood table someone spent years creating and using spray paint on it to make it red. It just does not seem right to me. You would have much better luck finding companies open to using heavily caustic chemicals in Asia and Europe, than in the US. I’m in California, and the environmental restrictions are very strong here. We stay away from harmful chemicals in our operation – I care about the rugs, and my employees too much. Sorry I can’t help you, but I appreciate you asking. Maybe a reader here will contact you with a better reply. =) – Lisa
Definitely interested in a rug repair class. Let me know if you schedule one.
Thanks,
Ann Robison
I have a definite interest in attending a rug repair class whenever you can make the time to make it happen.
I am transitioning into Rug Care and am trying to soak up information. Please let me know when you have more workshops.
Hi James, thanks for posting. If you opt in for the Rug Disasters report, that gets you on “my” list and whenever workshops happen you will get the first word. That is my first go-to list of cleaners. Have a great week! – Lisa