Fringe is the exposed warp thread that extends beyond the woven portion of a rug, at the top and bottom ends. Despite the common assumption that fringe is a decorative addition, the fringe IS the warp, it is the structural thread that holds the entire rug together. Cutting off the fringe is cutting off the structural foundation; doing so will eventually cause the rug to unravel from the ends.
How fringes are formed and finished:
- Warps are stretched on the loom before weaving begins
- After weaving is complete, the rug is cut from the loom, the unwoven ends of the warp become the fringe
- The fringe is then secured to prevent unraveling, using one of several techniques:
- Knotted fringe, warps are tied in groups of 4–8 with overhand knots close to the rug's edge - Plaited fringe, warps are braided together in groups - Selvedge-finished fringe, wefts wrap back into the end of the rug to lock the warps - Looped fringe, warp ends are turned back and stitched in
What fringes can tell you about a rug:
- Material of the fringe indicates the warp material, cotton (most Persian city rugs), wool (most tribal and village rugs), or silk (fine silk rugs)
- Color of the fringe, natural ivory cotton, gray or brown wool, are typical; bleached-white fringes can indicate refurbishment
- Length and thickness of the fringe, heavier and longer in tribal/village rugs; more refined in workshop rugs
- Symmetry between top and bottom fringes, if dramatically different in length or condition, the rug may have been trimmed unevenly
- Hand-finished vs machine-finished, examining how the fringe is secured can indicate whether the rug is hand-knotted or machine-made
Caring for fringe:
- Vacuum cleaners can damage fringes, many vacuum brushes catch fringe threads and pull them out; use only the suction attachment near fringes, or place a piece of mesh over the fringe before vacuuming
- Don't cut a damaged fringe back, instead, have it professionally repaired. A rug repair specialist can secure the warp before it unravels further into the body of the rug.
- Foot traffic and furniture are the most common causes of fringe damage; consider rug placement to minimize wear at the ends
In the antique rug market, original fringe is a positive sign. Many older rugs have had their fringes shortened, replaced, or rewoven over the years. While these repairs don't destroy a rug's value, original fringe in good condition is preferred by collectors.
