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When two or more widths of figured carpet are to be sewn together, first determine whether the design will match, particularly where you have 27-in. widths to be sewn to broadloom. It sometimes happens that the fabric of a 27-in. carpet will be more tightly woven than the broadloom width in the same pattern, and the figures of the pattern in both widths won't come together. The reason for this is that the "reed" which beats up the weft yarns in the operation of weaving often packs the yarn more tightly on narrow widths than on broadloom. When using different widths of the same carpet for an installation, it is always better to check, with the manufacturer or his local representative for advice. The principal operations in the workroom are cutting, sewing, serging, binding, sizing, shrinking and repairing. Sewing and binding are done both by hand and by machine. Serging is a machine operation.
CUTTING
The public demand for broadloom has emphasized the desirability of having a suitable cutting floor in the workroom. Many shops do not sew broadloom in the workroom because the bundle will be so large as to be awkward to handle, especially if the area to be covered is of considerable size. But whatever the width of the carpet—even if the sewing is to be done at the site—the cutting for most of the jobs is done in the shop, so that it's a big advantage to have enough floor space to roll the carpet to its full length and width.
A good wood floor is preferable to a concrete floor, and maple is better than pine. Because carpet awls and tacks are extensively used on the cutting floor and cause considerable wear and tear, a pine floor would have to be replaced every few years, whereas a maple floor, with suitable care, will last almost indefinitely.
If possible, the cutting floor should be broad enough to allow the broadest carpet to be rolled out and measured with one stretch of the tape. If space is available, the cutting floor should measure 20 x 30 ft. It can be marked off in square yards, as shown in Fig. 6.1, as an aid in checking measurements and in detecting carpet woven off-square and to check the mechanic's tapes.
The color match of all material should be considered before cutting, so that breadths can be arranged to lessen any slight difference in shading. The cutting floor is the place to do this. When different widths of figured carpet are to be sewn together, they should be laid out to see if the design will match—particularly when 27-in. widths are to be sewn to broadloom.
