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If repairs are made without due regard for the particular construction of the carpet or rug being worked on, the repaired area will more than likely be uneven and look different from the surrounding area, resulting in customer dissatisfaction.
Most repairs, particularly on edges (such as binding, serging, overcasting, selvaging, and fringing) can be accomplished faster and more economically in the workroom with the various types of machines previously described. Full instructions on the use and maintenance of such machines are obtainable from the various manufacturers.
Binding Repairs. First be sure that frayed or worn edges are trimmed off. Start where the damage is deepest and with your cutting tool follow one of the crosswise or lengthwise yarns or ridges. If the rug is badly frayed or if you want to strengthen it and make it firmer for finishing, overcast the edge before sewing on the binding.
After this has been completed, lay the right side of the binding on the right side of the rug or carpet, the edge of the binding being even with the trimmed edge of the carpet. Allow 1 1/2 in. of binding to turn under at each end. Using a heavy needle and carpet thread, fasten the thread at the selvage with a few short stitches, one on top of the other.
From the underside of the rug, stick the needle through to the top on a slant, so that it goes in about 5/8 to ) in. from the raw edge and comes out through both the carpet and the binding about 1 in. from the edge. Guide the binding along the edge of the rug by holding it between thumb and first finger. The stitches should be about 1/2 in. apart.
When the binding has been sewed on, fasten the thread by making two or three stitches backward to form an "X" over the edge. On the last stitch, throw the thread around the needle and draw it up tight to secure the binding so that it won't rip.
Fold the 11/2 in. of binding left at the end of the bottom side on a
diagonal, so the corner won't show when the binding is turned over the edge of the carpet. Then fold the binding over the raw edge of the rug or carpet to the underside, drawing the binding down smoothly but being careful not to draw it so tight as to make the binding slip over the raw edge.
Fasten the end of the binding securely with small stitches through the selvage of the carpet and fold of the binding. Sew the loose edge of the binding to the rug back, catching only a few yarns of the carpet and about | in. of the binding. These stitches should be about one inch apart. On the right side only a narrow edge of binding will show; on the underside, there will be an inch or more to protect the edge of the rug or carpet.
