Hand Tufted Rugs

How Hand Tufted Rugs Are Made

A hand tufted rug looks like a hand knotted rug, and is still handmade, but there are distinct differences in its construction that the practiced eye notices immediately. While the materials used are similar, the process is considerably different. The result is a rug with a very good appearance and reduced expense due to faster production, but hand tufted rugs are less durable than hand knotted rugs and would not be considered heirlooms.

A hand tufted rug starts with a piece of burlap or canvas stretched on a frame. A hand-held tool, often called a “tufting gun,” is used to punch “tufts” of wool thread through the foundation fabric. Sometimes the pattern may be imprinted on the foundation in advance. Obviously, less artistry and effort is involved in the hand tufting process, saving time and labor. When the foundation is covered with wool tufts, a strengthening layer called the “scrim” is glued to the foundation fabric. When this dries, an additional cloth layer is also attached to the back of the rug. Thus, the back side of a tufted rug is completely different from the back of a hand knotted rug. From the front, however, the feel and look are rather similar, thus making them an inexpensive option for households and businesses interested in wool rugs. A fringe may or may not be added to a hand tufted rug, either by sewing or gluing, to replicate the look of a hand knotted rug.

Hand tufted rugs do have a thick pile, so they are quite comfortable. They tend to shed throughout their lifetime, unlike knotted rugs. Hand tufted rugs hold up to high traffic very well, but do wear out over time. A life span of twenty years can be expected if a hand tufted rug is cared for well and rotated regularly. Visit Kamran’s Oriental Rug Bazaar in Sacramento at 737 56th Street to see our options in hand tufted rugs.