Southwest Style Rugs

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When it comes to size, the larger the rug is, the longer it takes to weave. This will increase the price, the larger the rug is. The largest rugs can take up to three years to make. Given the extra hours put into making it, it will cost significantly more than a more common 4'x6′ rug. Antique rugs will cost more than modern ones, given their value has risen as a result of their rarity. However, even contemporary Navajo rugs can fetch upwards of several thousand dollars. This is because the number of Navajo weavers is diminishing every year. There is a great deal of time and discipline needed to create a rug. Taking care of your Navajo rug will ensure that it can maintain its vibrant colors and stay in great shape for a long time. Here are some tips for caring for your rug.

This article provides a short history of Navajo weaving. This article by Dr. J. explains how authentic Navajo blankets are made and the terminology involved. Mark Sublette CEO of Medicine Man Gallery.

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There will usually be a dark border which can be embellishedon one side with ‘teeth.’ Clouds, water beetles, arrows, feathers, andgeometric designs are throughout. A pictorial usuallyfeatures items in the daily life of a weaver. There can be landscapes with animals, plants, etc., even tractors. If there are borders, they will usually be dark. These are pictorial rugs that show ceremonial sandpaintings.They are square and can contain supernatural figures with magical trappings. They can also include common elements such as snakes, feathers, lizards, andwhirling logs. Because these rugs are sacred, only a few Navajo weavers arewilling or able to produce them. To protect these individuals from spiritualharm, special ceremonial sings must be conducted.

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Michelle Radcliff owned a retail home furnishings business for eight years. Radcliff offers decorating advice on her blog, Home Decorating News, is a regular contributor on interior design at LoveToKnow.com and earned certification as an interior decorator from Penn Foster College in 2013.

Southwest Style Rugs

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Natural wool colors are used, except the red and theblack may have some commercial dye. With this rug, the grey can be brownish oreven tan, depending upon the fleece of the sheep used. These rugs are woven of natural, undyed, hand spun wool withdesigns of white, black, and brown. These weavers card together wool fromdifferent sheep to produce subtle shades of the white, black, and brown. It is possible to find several different shades of gray, brown, and tan in thesame rug. The wool for the Two Grey Hillsrugs is often fine and may require more weaving time, making them more costly. They usually have a plain, dark border. They may also have a spiritline.

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Almost all Navajo rugs are made from wool threads, which appear rougher in texture than cotton or linen. Fringe and ridges along the edge of the rug typically indicate a fake. Warp threads that have been cut and run back into the rug will create ridges on the ends. While shopping for rugs, you might have noticed that the price point is different for all. Some are well under the affordable range, while others go above and beyond.

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Navajo rugs frequently have a side slvage cord. To maintain a straight edge, Navajo loom weavers often use a twisted section selvage cord. The presence or non-existence of a sideselvage chord is not as definite as a fringe. But if it is, it strengthens the case that it is Navajo. Mexican weavers have straight sides. They use three or four warps in a piece, or even one rope or very thick warp. If you see a rug with visible outside warps that appear thicker, examine the ends to check for fringe and evidence that the warp edges have been sewn in to eliminate it.

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