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| CARPET REVOLUTION CONTINUED |
OLD- LOOMS ARE TAUGHT NEW WEAVING TRICKS , Last year U. S. rooms turned out 85 million square yards of carpeting, enough to cover West Virginia from border to border. This production was achieved on the four basic looms in diagram below: Axminster, velvet, Wilton and chenille. Invented years ago, the looms have been greatly improved in the past 10 years. Innumerable variations of the basic weaves have been invented; production is smoother and quicker; and, in general, quality has improved. Picture at right shows the elements by which a carpet should be judged. When buying one, first heft to feel how heavy the wool is and how deep the pile. Turn the carpet over and count stitches to see how many tufts there are per inch. Seven stitches, meaning seven tufts, is good. But the number of rows per inch does not of itself constitute a quality test. If the yarn is heavy and the pile thick, there may be fewer rows. Where the yarn is light, the pile thin, more rows are needed for good quality.
BUYING TEST: Judge depth of pile, weight of surface yarn. On underside, count stitches to see how many tufts there are per inch; count rows down per inch.
AXMINSTER LOOM Axminster looms outnumber others two to one. Most economical way to make a patterned rug, the Axminster weave became popular when American orientals and patterns were the vogue. As that style waned, the Axminster loom was adapted to weave or simulate other kinds of carpet. In yardage, Axminsters outsell all other weaves. Prices range from about $7.50 to $20.00 a square yard. In the Axminster diagram (left), U shaped-threads run the warp, or length, of the carpet, from upper left to lower right, locking in the threads of the weft, which run from lower left to upper right. Characteristics of Axminster are the heavy ribs on underside and fact that it will roll lengthwise, not sidewise. In diagrams tufts that make up pile are cocoa color.
VELVET LOOM The velvet is the simplest of all looms. Each tuft is held in place by four interlocking warp and weft threads. The weft threads are clasped by V shaped-loops (diagram left). All surface yarn does full duty as it is buried only one thread deep. Thus velvet carpeting looks luxurious. The velvet loom became popular in the '30s when solid-colored carpets were fashionable. These carpets were popularly called broadloom, although broadloom is any carpet, plain or patterned, woven on a broad loom. Today most plain-colored carpets are still woven on velvet looms. Once the velvet loom could not weave textured carpets. Currently, most hard-twist textured carpet (next page) is woven on velvet looms. Velvet costs from about $10.00 to $30.00 a square yard.
WILTON LOOM In a Wilton, called the weave with a hidden value, the surface yarns are woven deeply into the backing of the carpet. Part of the Wilton's charm lies in this resilient cushion under the surface pile, which makes it a soft carpet to walk on. In the diagram (left) this base of yarn may be seen in cocoa color running the length of the carpet. Wiltons are excellent wherever traffic is brisk because of their sturdy construction. The Wilton loom can weave only six colors at most, but skillful blending of yarns can give impression of many more colors. Wiltons cost from $12.50 to $35.00 a square yard.
CHENILLE LOOM This weaving process is the slowest and most costly ($28.00 to over $100.00 a square yard) and produces the most luxurious of all carpets. It requires two looms. The first weaves a weft blanket which is cut into furry strips. (Chenille is French for caterpillar, which these strips look like and from which the carpet gets its name.) The second loom weaves the heavy yarn backing, and incorporates the strips of fur into it as shown in diagram (left). The pattern and colors are set during the first process. Any number of colors may be used. Almost entirely made to order, chenille is woven in seamless widths up to 30 feet in any shape, design or texture.
TEXTURED CARPETS ARE NEW FAVORITES  |
| CARPET REVOLUTION CONTINUED continued on page 148 |
Well over 50% of the carpets sold today are textured, i.e., not smooth but having surface interest. Almost all types of textures now on the market are shown on this page. This kind of carpet is the solution for families with children, pets and neighbors who tramp in and out of the house in all weather. They do not show dirt, footprints or seaming as readily as plain carpets do and need less vacuuming. Many new textures have been developed during the past five years. Today refinements in the looms permit multiheight pile to be woven directly into the carpet. Other new textures are gained by using vinyl to coat and shrink part of the yarn (Tomato Patch, p. 143) or by cleverly using color and design to create a three-dimensional illusion. There are textures for all tastes and decorative styles: modern, cottage, country-casual or city-grand. Choosing the color of a carpet is not as easy as it may seem. Since all carpets gray down a shade or two after about six weeks' use (cleaning may not restore the original color), carpets should be picked which will be exactly the right color after dimming.
PLAIN VELVET in solid colors, the most popular carpet in '30s, has, during five past years, lost out to textures.
HARD TWIST is the carpet that began texture trend in late '30s. It is still extremely popular, wears very well.
SCULPTURED LOOK is achieved by the combining of plain and twisted yarns. Block patterns are important.
LOOPED AND CUT pile is one of the textures made possible by the perfected arrangement of knives on loom.
CARPET CUT-OUTS around radiators and fireplaces do not need binding if the carpet has the new plastic-treated back. New back also makes it possible to cut out soiled spot, apply patch with plastic tape.
THREE - DIMENSIONAL carpets, woven of two levels of looped pile, are among the handsomest new textures. ILLUSION of three dimensions is given by design and color. Carpet was woven on improved Axminster loom.
HAND-CARVED CHENILLE is the Rolls-Royce of textures. Pattern is cut with clippers into surface of rug.
COTTON AND RAYON are combined in this carpet with a geometric modern pattern. It is by Cabin Crafts.
NEEDLEPOINT effect is given in this three-dimensional carpet. Texture can look old-fashioned or modem.
SHAGGY LOOPED PILE has been in demand for five years. Wool, cotton or rayon looped pile is available.
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