Job completed for Customer in Paterson

Completion date: January 21, 2025

Location: Paterson, NJ

Why did the customer contact us?

This customer had the following issues with their Bokara rug:
The rug was most likely made in Pakistan given its amazing warp and weft and Manchester wool.
-Fringe implant
-Binding restoration
-Moth damage

Solutions provided:

Repairing a Pakistani Bokara rug requires careful attention to detail to maintain its value and beauty. Here’s an overview of the steps involved in repairing a Pakistani/Uzbeki Bokara rug:

1. Assess the Damage
Inspect the Condition: Look for signs of wear, such as holes, tears, fraying, or areas where the rug has thinned out.
Check for Color Fading: Sometimes, fading due to exposure to sunlight or cleaning can be a problem that needs attention.
Look at the Weaving: Check the integrity of the weave, especially in areas where the rug may have been damaged by moths or other pests.
2. Gather Necessary Materials
Matching Wool or Silk Thread: Ensure you have thread in the same color and texture as the original rug fibers.
Needles: A rug repair needle, which is thicker and longer than regular sewing needles, is essential.
Scissors: To trim excess yarn once the repair is complete.
Rug Repair Kit: Some kits come with tools for securing edges and fixing weft and warp threads.
Dye: If the rug’s color has faded, you may need dyes to match the original tones.
3. Repairing a Hole or Tear
Matching the Weave: Start by carefully aligning the fibers to match the original pattern. Pakistani rugs typically have a symmetrical design, so repairing with the same weaving technique (such as flatweave or pile weaving) is important for maintaining visual consistency.
Sewing the Hole: For a hole, carefully stitch the surrounding fibers to the new yarn, ensuring the new yarn matches both the texture and color of the original fibers. Use a traditional weaving method for the best results.
Reweaving the Pattern: When reweaving, you need to follow the same structure of the rug’s knots to maintain the consistency of the pile height and texture.
4. Fringe Repair
Fringe Replacement: If the fringe is damaged or missing, it can be replaced by tying new fringe fibers. Typically, Pakistani rugs have cotton or wool fringe, and the replacement should match the existing material.
Securing the Fringe: Knot the new fringe securely at the end of the rug using a knotting technique that resembles the original method.
5. Rebinding the Edges
Rebinding (Selvage Repair): If the edges of the rug are fraying or damaged, you can repair them by redoing the binding (selvage). Use a matching yarn and a binding technique like overcasting or stitching to secure the sides.
Reinforcement: Depending on the extent of the damage, reinforcing the edges with additional stitches can help prevent further fraying.