On this page you will find some information about some basically weaving techniques.

Kilim  (or flat weave)

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Weaving a kilim starts from the same base: warps and wefts.

In kilim there are more different techniques.

Basically kilim is simply weaving the design, using different colors in making the weft on the warp, and turning back at the end of each design.

 So we will see typical vertical open spaces between two different colors when the design needs a vertical line.  This vertical open places can not be to high, so different solutions are used to make vertical division of color for example in borders.  This can be by making slanting lines, or by working with a 'zip fastener' design.

A kilim in this basically technique must not be woven in horizontal lines. Parts of the design can be finished, later adding the colors of designs between.

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On a basic kilim, usual one color but not necessary, little strands of color are added while weaving, the basic kilim can still be seen between the designs. Characteristic are diagonal  steps making the design.

This technique is sometimes used to make small designs on a normal flat weave kilim.

Zili:

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On a basically weaving, design is added using pre-selected warps to put in the design threads.

Vertical lines are typical.  

And usual, but not necessary, the basically kilim is completely covered with design.

Sumak:

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Again on a basically weaving, this time 'wrapping' of different colors makes the design. 

The design can cover completely the warp and weft.

Also possible: on a flat weave kilim lines of sumak design, or individual sumak designs can appear.

Weft substitution weave:

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Wefts are forming the design on the warp. 

When a color is needed to form design this color is used for the weaving, where not used to make design this thread is floating on the backside.

Characteristic backsides, you can compare with Jacquard knitting : knitting designs with more colors. 

Warp substitution

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When we use this same system with the warp we have warp substitution:  the warp is made in two colors, or stripes of two colors. 

The thread of the color needed to make the design comes up while making a warp faced weave.

Some words about  wool dyes

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For centuries vegetable dyes have been used giving beautiful colors to wool used in carpets and kilims.

The first chemical dyes appeared in the second part of the 19^th.century.   In the beginning these colors where flashing, to strong for the eyes.  Today producers know better how to mix colors and the used qualities are much better.

We can discus a long time about vegetable against chemical colors but I want to give you this advice:  When you want a carpet becoming nicer through the years and when you can afford to make a bigger investment than choose for the vegetable dyes.

 If you want a carpet to fit in your house, a decorative piece what you might replace changing the interior, you just follow your  feelings of what you like.  As long as the price is in a correct rate with what you get for it.

The vegetable dye is much more work intensive and the material used more expensive, so a vegetable dyed product will be more expensive than a chemical dyed piece.

Finally a word about old and new pieces.

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A carpet with good wool and vegetable dyes will become nicer by using.

The wool becomes shiny and the colors warm

So if you are patient enough you will see your new carpet becoming nicer with the years.

When you want to enjoy this kind of patina immediately you can look for an old carpet.

The commercial new kilims are sometimes of very good quality, fine and vegetable dye...but I miss the 'soul' of the kilim made by woman for their own use...It is up to you to make your choice!

When dating the pieces I like to speak clear and honest.

Sometimes I use words as : older, this means not new but I do knot know...;

old, means old but I do not know how old...

Hopefully you can accept that I can  not know everything!

I hope you like your trip through this WS, take your time and enjoy!

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