Difference Between Binding and Serging a Carpet

If you have ever sewn before, the two techniques of finishing the edges of carpets and rugs will be familiar to you. However, there would be no way you could finish the edges of rugs/carpets with the equipment you have at home. It would simply be too hard to go through the bulk of them. And the other tools needed, such as thread and binding used on making clothes or other projects, simply would not be big enough or heavy enough to satisfactorily accomplish this task.

When a binding is professionally attached to a rug, there are specified tools and machines that are used. Because carpets and rugs are so heavyweight, the sewing machine, serging equipment, binding tape, serging yarn, ?thread?, bobbins and needles must also be very heavyweight.

The edges ofthe rug are finished by using a heavyweight binding or bias tape. The binding tape is wrapped around the edge of the carpet, and then sewn on with the binding machine. This machine looks a lot like the sewing machine we would use at home, only with much heavier capabilities. The width of the binding is usually ?? to 1 ??, and usually the color of the most dominant color of the carpet/rug.

When choosing which type of binding to use, the employee will choose between a cotton or synthetic binding tape, thread or yarn. He/she will make this decision by making note of the material used to create the carpet or rug. Cotton binding would be used on the natural cotton or wool-based carpet/rug, but nylon or polyester supplies would be used if the rug/carpet is synthetic.

If a rug or carpet is serged, the technique is much different than binding it. Watch a carpet Serged
Instead, a ?whip stitch? is used. Again if you have sewed yourself, this is a very familiar stitch. The yarn or thread is continuously and tightly wrapped around the carpet edge with a special heavyweight sewing machine. The width of this serging is usually 3/8?, and will also match or blend in with the color of the carpet/rug.

Sandy Henderson, owner of Rug Rats, has an informative post at https://rugratsva.com/binding-and-serging-an-area-rug/ showing pictures of the difference between bound and serged edges. Her article states her preference is the serging method. She points out that area rugs or carpets may be repaired at a fraction of the cost that would be needed to buy another rug! Either technique, I think the edges are beautiful!

Bob Wagner?s Fuzzy Side Up has an article which also shows informative pictures of bound and serged carpet edges. Along with these pictures, he has pictures of the products and machines used to finish the rugs/carpets. He comments that the difference between bound and serged edges is a matter of preference. He also points out that binding tape comes in a huge array of colors, along with different widths. Beautiful!

Now you may visit your favorite flooring store and walk in with knowledgeable facts of the difference between binding and serged carpets and rugs!

Article information from:

Bond Products: https://www.bondproducts.com/difference-binding-carpet-serging/

Rug Rats: https://rugratsva.com/binding-and-serging-an-area-rug/

Fuzzy Side Up: http://fuzzysideupblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/binding-or-serging-whats-difference.html