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What are Braided Rugs ?
The Paulus family founded the
Braided Rug Company in the year 1910 and started the tradition
of rug braiding. The rugs crafted by them comprised mainly of
wool and were very bright colored. Braided rugs can be simply
defined as an area rug made by plaiting various kinds of fabrics
of different colors to make a durable floor covering. They are
usually oval but can also be obtained in other shapes like
rectangular, round and even heart! Some rugs are flat – made
from the flat folded fabric while others are slightly thick as
they are fashioned from tubular braids. Braided rugs can easily
fit into any home décor. They can be used in the entrance ways,
foyers, children’s rooms, kitchen, living room, dining room, on
wooden floors. And even to protect the wall-to-wall carpets.
They can be used in the entrance ways, foyers, children’s rooms,
kitchen, living room, dining room, on wooden floors and even to
protect the wall-to-wall carpets. A well woven rug oozes warmth
and also stands the test of time. In fact the modern day rugs
are 100% polypropylene which are unaffected by water or moisture
and hence ideal for the entryways or patios and porches. A
braided rug is often reversible, durable and machine washable.
Due to their nostalgic charm, they make a jovial addition to any
room of the house.
The Arts and Craft Movement between 1890 and 1910 played a major
role in popularizing this traditional form of rug. By the year
1930 and during the Great Depression, it became a huge success
because of the economic necessity. Since then, braided rug has
attained a very special place in our homes.
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Braided rug is also known as the rag
rug. Long ago it was the practice by the rag pickers to assemble
strips of their old clothing to make something useful. Though
this practice of weaving “your own” rug has disappeared, it is
taken up as a hobby by many and special rug bag kit with
instructions and braided rug making equipments are sold in the
market by craft suppliers. Braided rug is one of the three well
known traditional rug forms; the other two being hooked rugs and
loom woven rugs. Though it is the 3-strand standard braid (where
the two outermost braids are brought at the centre and woven
together) that is fairly common,
the other forms of braids are
Flat braids
Ladder Braids
Round and Square Braids
Right hand (or left hand) braids for braided-in rugs
Plaits
False braids
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Flat
braids: In the flat braided rugs, the thickness is
attained by increasing the number of strands. With flat braids,
the more strands used, the wider the braid becomes. In fact they
are woven together to give stripes, diamond or chevron shapes in
the braid itself. However, it must be noted that flat braids
wear out much faster than then the rest. Braids with the same
weight and size are most durable
.
Ladder braids: This form has
a strand that does not “move”. This strand occupies the central
position. This braid was usually used for making a “hooked rug”.
These can be made of 4, 6 and 8 strands.
Round and square braids:
Like the ladder form, this is also not a very common form for
rug making. These showy braids were used for rug making, though
they were not common. A few old fashioned braided rugs were made
from square braids of 4 strands and round braids of 4, 6 and 8
strands.
Right hand (or left hand) braids for
braided-in rugs: This form of braids was used for
“braided-in” rugs. Flat braids work from a single direction. The
strand that is away from the centre is the “active” strand and
after the completion this strand is laced into the previous
braiding.
Plaits: This form uses 4 to
12 strands and each strand works over and under the other strand
to form a “tabby” weave of strands. Plaits give a pattern that
is fairly similar to the flat braids but are less commonly used
as they are thinner than the latter.
False braids: False braid is
made by wrapping strips of cloth or textile around stationary
cores like a cotton clothesline. A couple of fabrics are wrapped
around the cores to give the design. This is often used in
machine made rugs. It is also used to join standard or flat
braids to form a rug, thus giving it a very strong structure.
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These area rugs were initially used
on the otherwise crude floors of the rooms and cabins to give a
pleasant and neat look. However, they had a very limited use due
to the unavailability of the good looking raw materials. Strips
of unused or discarded household fabrics were hand braided to
make a rug. These rugs are today considered as antiques and are
extremely expensive. They also make great investments.
Virtually any type of textile or cloth can be used for making a
braided rug – ranging from the simple cotton to the finest form
of wool. However, the most important factors in choosing the
right kind of yarns or fabric include their moisture resistance,
stain resistance and co friendly quality along with the
durability, and pricing. Generally the entrance of any house
faces the maximum amount of traffic. Thus a colorful and well
constructed rug not only provides a warm look and welcomes the
family and friends, but also prevents it from the day to day
wear and tear. While the braids with soft chenille blends with
cotton gives beautiful pastel shades that are ideal for
children’s rooms and play rooms. |
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The horizontal braids and flat braids
adds a contemporary look to the whole house.There are even a few
collections in the market today that allow the consumers to have
their own choice of colors and borders to match the upholstery and
furniture of their homes. Braided rugs are available today in
furniture stores, home décor outlets, major retailers and of course,
the online shopping malls. A few manufacturers of these rugs are
Colonial Mills, Thorndike Mills, Rhody Rug and Silver Ridge Weavers.
These beautifully elegant and practical area rugs have evolved to be
one of the most popular forms in today’s market.
A variety of braiding gears are available today – each creates an
exceptional quality that in turn makes exclusive home décor
products. Though the braids have been discovered almost thousand
years ago, unique and novel applications are still being introduced.
These rugs have this amazing combination of the traditional
craftsmanship and the modern style – a quality that is making them
“a must to have” in the new age homes. But whether it is purchased
from a boutique or braided at home, a well crafted rug definitely
adds a great amount of charisma and tenderness in your home.
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Article Contributed By: Sukanya
Banerjee
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