Carpet Manufacture
The process of lexmarkLiving carpet manufacture is not new. Weaving techniques evolved throughout history. These techniques include gripper looming, hand tufting, and synthetic fibers. Today’s modern mills employ the latest looms and construction standards. These facilities use concrete floors and single-floor construction, allowing for lift trucks to move the carpets from loom to loom. Despite the progress in technology, woven carpets were still too expensive for the working class to afford. In the 1950s, prices began to increase slightly but were still too expensive for most consumers. The industry perceived these modest increases as a success.
Hand tufting
Tufting is a method of creating carpets by attaching threads to a base fabric. It is similar to sewing, but is much more difficult, as it involves a great deal of manual labor. The process began in the USA when early settlers used the technique to create warm clothing. Industrial production eventually developed the process and has become one of the most important processes in the carpet manufacturing process.
Hand-tufted rugs are not fully handmade, but they are handmade to an extent. A worker uses a hand-held tufting gun to force yarn through a backing fabric, following a pattern printed on a canvas backing. The yarns are then held in place by a second piece of fabric or glue.
Synthetic fibers
Synthetic fibers are used in carpet manufacturing in a variety of ways. They are a great alternative to natural fibers and are able to withstand a variety of abuse. These fibers are usually either wool or polypropylene and comprise most of the carpeting produced in the United States.
Nylon is the most common synthetic fiber and is the most durable. It has good abrasion resistance, stain resistance, and resiliency. It is also relatively inexpensive, compared to wool and other natural fibers. However, nylon can stain easily and may require replacement more frequently than natural fibers.
Embroidery
Embroidery in carpet manufacturing is a traditional method of creating a patterned carpet. Unlike woven carpets, embroidery carpets are created by applying a series of stitches to a cloth base. The most common stitches used are cross stitch and tent stitch. Historically, these carpets were made in the homes of royal women, but after the introduction of steel needles and the development of linen weaving, commercial manufacture of embroidered carpets became possible. Embroidered carpets were especially popular in the 16th century, and Queen Mary, Queen of Scots, was an avid embroiderer. During this period, most embroidery designs incorporated scrolling vines, regional flowers, and animal heraldry. Production continued into the 19th century.
The history of embroidery stretches back to the Middle Ages, when the technique was developed in Europe. By the time the Renaissance was underway, professional embroidery guilds had been established in Italy and France. The church was a major customer for this technique, and all textiles used in the liturgy were embroidered. In addition, religious vestments often had elements of embroidery incorporated into the design.
Gripper loom
Gripper looms are used to manufacture a variety of carpets. They can produce Axminster pile carpet, wall carpets, floor rugs, and mats. A gripper loom works by inserting short lengths of pile yarn into the carpet backing. The grippers then rotate to lay the tufts against the backing. The tufts are then woven together. Once the tufts are woven into a carpet, the carrier and carriage move back to their original positions.
The yarn carriers in a gripper loom are similar to those used in a conventional Axminster carpet loom. They are mounted on a jacquard base, and the gripper shaft is movable relative to the yarn carriage. In this way, the pile yarn carriers move from side to side, and the weft needle is drawn off each carrier.
Stoddard’s carpets
Established in 1862, Stoddard’s carpets are an icon of UK textile history. Since their founding, the company has created carpets for the most famous floors around the world. These include the White House, Scottish Parliament and even the Titanic. Today, the company’s name is synonymous with high quality carpeting.
This collection contains the archives of Scottish carpet manufacturer Stoddard International plc. The archive contains records of the company’s Paisley factory and its renowned carpet designers. The collection includes carpet samples, designs and patterns and also a timeline of designers and their work.