The Art of Rug Making: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Adore Rugs

Rug making is a craft that has been around for centuries, but it is still alive and thriving today. There are many different types of rugs, each with its own history, technique and aesthetic. In this blog, we will explore two of the most common types of rugs: handmade rugs and machine made rugs. We will also compare and contrast their features, benefits and drawbacks.

Handmade Rugs

Handmade rugs are rugs that are made by hand using various techniques such as weaving, knotting, hooking, or braiding. Handmade rugs are often considered to be more of an art form than just a functional item, as they require a lot of skill, creativity, and patience to create.

One of the most popular techniques for making handmade rugs is latch hooking, which involves using a special tool called a latch hook to pull loops of yarn or fabric through a mesh canvas. Latch hooking is a simple and fun way to make your own rugs at home, using materials such as old t-shirts, sheets, or yarn. You can buy rug making kits that come with everything you need to make a latch hook rug, such as a pre-printed canvas, pre-cut yarn or fabric strips, and a latch hook tool. You can also design your own patterns or use templates from books or online sources.

To make a latch hook rug, you need to follow these steps:

1. Cut your yarn or fabric into strips about an inch long and half an inch wide. You can use scissors or a rotary cutter for this.
2. Lay your canvas on a flat surface and secure it with pins or tape. You can also use a frame or hoop to hold it in place.
3. Start from one corner of the canvas and work your way across and down. To make a loop, poke the latch hook through two adjacent holes in the canvas from front to back, then catch one end of a yarn or fabric strip with the hook and pull it back through the same holes. The latch on the hook will close and secure the loop on the canvas.
4. Repeat this process until you fill up the entire canvas with loops. Make sure to place a loop on every hole and keep them close together for a dense and fluffy rug.
5. Trim any excess yarn or fabric from the back of the rug with scissors or a razor blade.
6. Finish the edges of the rug by folding them over and sewing them with a needle and thread, or by adding a binding tape or fabric.

Some of the advantages of handmade rugs are:

- They are unique and personal, as you can choose your own colors, patterns, and designs.
- They are eco-friendly and sustainable, as you can use recycled or natural materials to make them.
- They are durable and easy to clean, as they can withstand wear and tear and be washed by hand or machine.

Some of the disadvantages of handmade rugs are:

- They are time-consuming and labor-intensive, as they require a lot of work and attention to detail.
- They are expensive and limited in availability, as they are not mass-produced and depend on the availability of materials and artisans.
- They are prone to fading and shrinking, as they may lose their color or shape over time due to exposure to sunlight or water.

Machine Made Rugs

Machine made rugs are rugs that are made by machines using various methods such as tufting, weaving, knitting, or printing. Machine made rugs are often considered to be more of a functional item than an art form, as they require less skill, creativity, and patience to create. However machine made rugs can still of high quality, take for example our Pierre Cardin Rugs which features both sophistication and grandeur. 

One of the most common methods for making machine made rugs is tufting, which involves using a machine that pushes loops of yarn through a backing fabric with needles. Tufting machines can produce different types of pile such as cut pile, loop pile, or cut-and-loop pile. Tufting machines can also create different patterns and textures by varying the height, density, and direction of the loops.

To make a tufted rug, you need to follow these steps:

1. Choose your backing fabric, which can be cotton, jute, polyester, or nylon. The backing fabric provides the base for the rug and determines its size and shape.
2. Choose your yarn, which can be wool, acrylic, nylon, polyester, or cotton. The yarn provides the color and texture for the rug and determines its quality and durability.
3. Load your yarn into the tufting machine, which has hundreds of needles that punch loops of yarn through the backing fabric at high speed.
4. Control the tufting machine with a computer program that tells it where to place the loops and how to create different patterns and effects.
5. Cut the loops with a blade if you want to create a cut pile rug, which has a soft and smooth surface. Leave the loops intact if you want to create a loop pile rug.
6. Apply a layer of latex glue on the back of the rug to secure the loops in place.
7. Add another layer of fabric on top of the glue to protect it and provide extra support for the rug.
8. Trim any excess yarn or fabric from the edges of the rug with scissors or a razor blade.
9. Finish the edges of the rug by adding a binding tape or fabric.

Some of the advantages of machine made rugs are:

- They are fast and efficient, as they can produce large quantities of rugs in a short time.
- They are affordable and accessible, as they are mass-produced and widely available in various styles and sizes.
- They are consistent and uniform, as they have precise measurements and quality control.

Some of the disadvantages of machine made rugs are:

- They are impersonal and generic, as they lack individuality and originality.
- They are harmful and wasteful, as they use synthetic materials and chemicals that may pollute the environment or cause health problems.
- They are less durable and harder to clean, as they may wear out faster or stain easier due to their low-quality materials.

Comparison Between Handmade Rugs And Machine Made Rugs

Handmade rugs and machine made rugs have their own pros and cons depending on your preferences, needs, and budget. Here are some factors that you may want to consider when choosing between them:

Appearance: Handmade rugs have more character and charm than machine made rugs because they reflect the personality and skill of their makers. Machine made rugs have more variety and versatility than handmade
rugs because they can mimic any style or design with ease.
Quality: Handmade rugs have higher quality than machine made rugs because they use natural materials and traditional techniques that ensure their longevity and beauty. Machine made rugs have lower quality than handmade rugs because they use synthetic materials and modern methods that compromise their durability and appearance.
Price: Handmade rugs have higher price than machine made rugs because they require more time, effort, and resources to create them. Machine made rugs have lower price than handmade rugs because they require less time,
effort, and resources to produce them.

Rug making is an art that has evolved over time but still remains relevant today. Whether you prefer handmade rugs or machine made rugs,you can find one that suits your taste, style, and needs from various sources such as online shops, craft stores, or even your own home.

If you want to learn more about how to make a rug yourself, you can check out some tutorials online or buy some rug making kits that come with everything you need to get started.