Why choose a handwoven rug over a machine-made rug?

Choosing a handwoven rug over a machine-woven rug comes down to several key factors such as craftsmanship, quality, uniqueness, sustainability, and long-term value. Here’s why our customers prefer handwoven rugs and what makes them so special: 

Craftsmanship and Heritage

• Artisan Skill: Handwoven rugs are created by skilled artisans, often using traditional techniques passed down through generations. The time, attention to detail, and craftsmanship involved in each piece make them a work of art.
• Cultural Significance: Many handwoven rugs, especially those from countries like Persia, India, Turkey, and Afghanistan, carry cultural and historical significance. The designs often reflect the heritage, symbolism, and stories of the regions where they are made.

Quality and Durability

• High-Quality Materials: We select handwoven rugs and kilims made with natural materials, such as wool and cotton, which tend to be more durable and long-lasting than synthetic materials often used in machine-woven rugs. Additionally, our rugs tend to use natural dyes which produce softer, deeper and more harmonious colours than their synthetic counterparts.
• Durability: Hand-knotting used in handwoven rugs typically makes them more durable than machine-woven alternatives, though some machine woven rugs can also last a long time.

Unique and One-of-a-Kind

• The most important aspect of hand-woven rugs is their individuality. Each handwoven rug is unique due to its handmade nature. The quirks, variations and even flaws in the design made by a human weaver as opposed to a mechanical process make them alive with character and presence. With every rug telling a story and no two exactly alike, they’re more than just functional floor coverings.

The plastic calamity in the environment caused by chasing cheap rugs

• Rugs made of natural materials last longer and look better over time, not worse! When (and if) finally discarded they degrade naturally.
• Machine made synthetic rugs made of fibres such as nylon or polypropylene have a much larger environmental footprint and are often discarded after a few years, degrading into micro plastics and poisoning the very earth we depend on. This is a disaster for our planet!
• Ethical Sourcing: Handwoven rugs support artisans in simple natural production environments. Such methods are natural, healthy and sustainable for human beings. This is not the case with most machine weaving.

Aesthetic Appeal

• Textural Richness: Handwoven rugs often have more texture, depth, and richness than machine-made rugs. The natural fibres and intricate weaving techniques create a tactile experience that machine-made rugs struggle to replicate.
• Colour and Dyes: Handwoven rugs frequently use natural dyes, which give them a soft, organic palette that ages beautifully over time. Some modern synthetic dyes can be very high quality and can also be used alongside natural dyes in hand woven rugs. Machine-woven rugs, which always use synthetic dyes, often fade faster or lose vibrancy and their colour lacks the depth and warmth of their handwoven equivalents. 

Repairability

• Easy to Repair: Handwoven rugs can often be repaired if damaged or frayed and professional restorers can, in most cases, preserve their beauty. Machine-woven rugs, once damaged, are usually difficult to repair, and it’s often more cost-effective to replace them altogether; not good for the planet. The Nomads Tent offers an expert rug repair and cleaning service in Edinburgh.

Comfort and Warmth

• Natural Insulation: Wool, one of the most common materials used in handwoven rugs, is a natural insulator, providing warmth and comfort underfoot. This makes handwoven rugs particularly suitable for colder climates or hard flooring, such as tile or wood. Perfect for a Scottish winter!

Timeless Design

• Classic and Timeless: Handwoven rugs often feature designs that have been around for centuries, yet they remain timeless and versatile. Whether in a contemporary, bohemian, or traditional setting, a handwoven rug can elevate the aesthetic of any space. 

Why Some Might Choose Machine-Woven Rugs:

To provide a balanced perspective, it’s worth noting that machine-woven rugs tend to be less expensive and more readily available in a wide range of styles and sizes. They are often seen as a good choice for short-term use or for areas where heavy wear might make frequent replacement necessary. This is short term gain for the user but a disaster for the planet, plain and simple.

For customers visiting The Nomads Tent, and of course other shops like us, who value individuality, authenticity, sustainability, and our planet, a handwoven rug remains the preferred choice. And, thankfully, the only choice we offer!