Rug Edge & Selvage Repair in Scottsdale, AZ
Professional rug edge repair and selvage rebinding for handmade rugs — preventing structural unraveling and preserving your rug's integrity. Free assessment and pickup/delivery.
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Your Rug's First Line of Defense
If fringe protects the top and bottom of a handmade rug, the selvage protects the sides. The selvage is a tightly wrapped binding that covers and secures the outermost weft threads along the rug's left and right edges. Without it, the rug's side edges would unravel — weft threads would pull loose, pile knots would detach, and the rug would literally come apart from the sides inward.
Over years of foot traffic, vacuuming, and furniture placement, selvage wrapping loosens and wears away. This is normal — even well-made rugs eventually need edge re-binding. The critical thing is to address it promptly. A rug with worn selvage is like a book with a broken spine — it still works, but it's getting worse every day, and the damage accelerates the longer you wait.
Edge Repair Services
Selvage Re-Wrapping
The most common edge repair. We re-wrap the side edges with wool or cotton yarn that matches the original selvage in color, weight, and wrapping technique. This restores the protective binding and prevents further unraveling. On most rugs, this is a straightforward repair that can be completed within 1-2 weeks.
Edge Reconstruction
For rugs where the damage has progressed beyond the selvage into the rug's body — weft threads have pulled loose, pile has detached from the edges — we rebuild the damaged edge structure before applying new selvage. This involves securing loose wefts, re-knotting detached pile, and then wrapping the restored edge with new binding.
Overcasting
An alternative to traditional selvage wrapping, overcasting uses a whip-stitch technique to secure the edges. This method is sometimes preferred for certain rug types or for homeowners who want a clean, tight edge finish.
Corner Repair
Corners are the most vulnerable points on any rug — they receive concentrated wear from turning foot traffic, furniture legs, and vacuum impacts. We repair, rebuild, and reinforce damaged corners to prevent further deterioration.
Edge re-binding is consistently one of the least expensive rug repairs — typically costing far less than reweaving or fringe replacement. But the damage it prevents — structural unraveling that can destroy inches of your rug — would cost many times more to repair. This is the definition of an ounce of prevention.
Signs Your Rug Needs Edge Repair
Check your rug's side edges for these warning signs: visible loosening or unraveling of the side wrapping, yarn threads poking out or hanging from the edges, the rug curling or rolling at the sides (indicates the binding tension is gone), the edge feeling thinner or softer than the rug's body, exposed weft threads visible along the sides, or pile knots near the edge that feel loose or detached. If you notice any of these, bring your rug in or send us photos for a free assessment before the damage progresses.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Selvage is the wrapped edge along the sides of a handmade rug. It protects the weft threads from unraveling outward. Over years of use, it loosens, frays, and detaches — exposing the foundation. Once selvage fails, the edges unravel inward. Rebinding is a straightforward, affordable repair that prevents much more expensive damage.
Edge repair is one of the most affordable rug services. Cost depends on the length of edge to rebind, the condition of the existing selvage, and whether it needs simple re-wrapping or more extensive reconstruction. Free assessments available. Call (480) 219-8095.
Look for loosening or unraveling side wrapping, threads poking out from edges, curling or rolling at the sides, the edge feeling thinner than the rug's body, and visible weft threads along the sides. Any of these warrant a free assessment.
Yes. We use traditional binding techniques and yarn colors appropriate to the rug's age and style — matching the original appearance rather than applying modern materials that would look out of place on a vintage piece.
Other Rug Repair Services
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Bring your rug to our showroom or send us photos. We respond in under 10 minutes.
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