You may sometimes find kilim rugs in the general "oriental rugs" genre, but these types of rugs are in their own class.
Kilim rugs are known for their light and bold designs. They are sometimes referred to as 'slit-woven' textiles, down to the design feature. Small vertical slits along the edges of the patterns, between the different areas of color/where the different colors meet. The slits are alluring as they emphasize the geometric shapes and give the design an 'HD' effect.
Originating from Turkey, these types of rugs are refered to as pileless pieces of handwoven fabric produced using a flat weaving technique. This term is not limited to rugs alone as Kilims are also used for wall decor, hangings, table covers, bedspreads, furniture coverings or upholstery and even for bags.
In this article, you'll know everything you need about these types of rugs. So scroll down and keep reading!
What are kilims, and where did they come from?
This part explores the history of kilims and what makes these interior decors unique.
Kilim is a word of Turkish origin and represents a pileless rug of many uses made by one of several flat weaving methods. They are rehearsed in the geographical area that includes parts of Turkey (Anatolia and Thrace), North Africa, Iran, Afghanistan, the Caucasus, Pakistan, Central Asia, the Balkans, and China.
A Kilim is a specific subset of flatweave rugs. This rug hasn't piled and has a different feel than other carpets. They have no fluffs and needless work to produce. Also, a flat kilim rug is more cost-effective compared to hand-knotted rugs. Its unique surface feels relaxing barefoot, and one of its great options includes being lightweight and quickly moving or storing. Keeping these rugs is also easy; because there are no piles that attract dirt and dust. A flatweave rug is considered high quality because it is handmade.
Kilims usually are woven with the slit weave method. The slit refers to the gap left between two blocks of color. It is created by returning the weft around the last warp in a color area, and the weft of the next color is later returned around the adjacent warp.
Weavers pack the weft tightly to cover the warp entirely and often favor weaving patterns to avoid weakening the rug's structure with vertical slits.
What material are Kilim rug made from?
The majority of this types of rugs are made of 100% wool. In some cases, they will also contain cotton.
Wool is an excellent option for rugs. It is widely available, hardwearing, easy to work, and the vegetable pigments take to it ideally.
Since the turn of the 20th century, artificial fibers such as nylon, polyester, or even polypropylene have been used because they are more affordable than wool.
Rugs nowadays can are usually produced using machines called power looms. Power looms are electrically automated. Depending on the fibers used, machine-made rugs typically have a lifespan of about 20 years or less.
Compared to a handmade Kilim rug's time-consuming weaving process, some machine-made kilims can be made in just a day, which is different from the 8-9 months that a this types of rugs can take!
Another fabric for Kilim rugs is silk. Silk is more elegant than wool, cotton and animal hair. This is the rarest one and is only commonly found in one type of Kilim, traditionally used for bridal dowries. Silk kilims are a sign of abundant family wealth. This type of Kilim is produced in Anatolia, Turkey.
Why do this types of rugs cost less than most other handmade rugs?
Many different factors contribute to the cost of a handmade rug. The primary cause of kilims being lower in price is the portion of time, effort, and skill that goes into making them. They are of superior quality and nicely crafted, but due to how they are made, they do not take as long as hand-knotted carpets and do not require the same skill level.
Kilims are Versatile
Are kilim rugs just floor coverings? Some are hangings, bench or sofa blankets, bags or mule saddles. They are also very popular as colorful kilim pillows.
These rugs are used for various purposes, including insulation for a cold floor, making a room vintage, a place to relax on the floor and sound reduction. They can be made in any color by using differently dyed fibers.
Key Takeaways
Kilim is a traditional handmade and quality rug often woven with wool. Kilims have many uses, and except for flooring, they are used as sofa covers, pillows, wall hangers and many other benefits.
If you'd like to buy a kilim, Kilims USA can help you buying beautiful and affordable ones.