Rug Serging & Binding

When a rug is cut down, or its edges have worn through, the raw edge has to be finished — or the rug starts unraveling row by row. There are two ways to finish an edge: serging and binding. We do both by hand in our own facility, because we build rugs, so we can rebuild them.

Serging: the woven look

Serging wraps the edge in a continuous spiral of yarn — the rounded, rope-like edge you see on handmade rugs. Done properly, in matching wool, a serged edge on a cut-down rug looks like it left the loom that way. This is the finish we recommend for handmade and oriental rugs, and the one we use on most resizing projects.

Binding: the tailored look

Binding sews a strip of fabric — usually cotton or linen — over the edge. It's flatter, faster and costs less than serging, and it suits machine-made rugs, sisals, and carpet cut into area rugs or runners. We match the binding color to the rug so it disappears into the design.

Which one does your rug need?

Handmade or oriental rug: serging, almost always — a fabric strip on a hand-knotted rug looks like a patch. Machine-made rug, sisal, or wall-to-wall carpet being turned into a rug or runner: binding is the right call and the budget-friendly one. Not sure? Bring it in or text us a photo of the edge — we'll tell you straight which one it needs, and whether it needs anything at all.

Never a machine edge alone

Plenty of shops run rugs through a binding machine and call it done. On a handmade rug, we secure the foundation first by hand, then finish the edge — so it holds through years of vacuuming, not months. Small edge jobs are usually ready in 2 to 3 weeks. Worn fringes too? See fringe repair and replacement, or the full repair and restoration service.

Cassim Rug Gallery · 239 Ogden Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515 · (630) 324-6567 · Mon–Sat 10–6, Sun 12–5