The 4 Best Method To Finish Edges Of A Rug

How Do You Edge A Tufted Rug?

As I mentioned, there is not only one method to use for finishing the edges of a carpet. You can try all of them and experiment yourself which one you like most. I often prefer leaving extra cloth around the edges and folding it inside before I apply backing cloth. The method can vary depending on the quality you want to achieve in the final product and the amount of time you want to spend on the edges. Applying a strip of Edge Tape can increase the overall quality of the rug. 

Also, binding the edges looks quite good, and high quality, but binding all around the rug by hand can take quite a time. So consider it before you decide which option to follow. As an opposing side of Edge Tape, it will add an additional cost to the total material cost of the rug. Even though it is not so expensive, over time, it can add up. Don’t forget to add this cost to your expenses while calculating the materials.

The most practical and simple alternative is cutting the tufting cloth right on the edge of the rug without any extra pieces left around the border. But this simplicity comes with a cost. If you decide to follow this method, it can negatively affect the rug’s lifetime. Since there is no additional protection on the borders, over time, it can start to fall into pieces from the edges. In addition to durability issues, it can create a visually not-so-appearing look on the edges. 

Leave Extra Cloth Around And Fold

Probably this method is the most popular one among the tufters. It is easy, does not require any extra material, and can be made quickly without wasting time. After you are done tufting your rug, apply the backing glue and wait until it is fully dry. You can also first remove it from the tufting cloth and apply the glue, but I prefer using the glue while it is still stretched on the frame. If you take it out from the frame before applying the glue, the shape of the rug can slightly change, and the edges can bend because of the lack of stretching. 

After the glue is fully dry, you can cut out the boundaries from the rest of the tufting cloth with an extra 1-2 inch (3-5cm) leftover piece of fabric. Depending on the shape of the rug, you need to cut this extra cloth into smaller pieces so you can easily fold and glue it to the backside of the rug. If the shape of the carpet is curved, you can cut in each inch (2-3cm) and fold all the pieces one by one.

Apply some pressure while bending the pieces over so yarns will cover the edges completely and the extra cloth won’t be visible at all. You can use a hot glue gun to stick additional pieces to the back. It is easy to use because it hardens pretty fast, so you don’t need to hold the pieces and wait for them to entirely stick. If you do not have a hot glue gun, you can easily find it in any local craft store or order it on Amazon. Check the current prices for a hot glue gun here.

Another alternative to hot glue can be directly backing glue itself. After you apply the glue, remove it from the frame while the glue is still slightly wet. Be careful not the take out any yarn pieces. Since the glue is still wet, you can cut the extra cloth into smaller pieces and directly fold it inside. By applying some pressure, you can stick it to the backside. 

After you finish all the edges, you can apply the backing material and cover the rug’s backside. With this method, your carpet can have clean-looking and durable edges. 

Cut Right On The Edge

This one is for you if you want a quick and easy solution. After you finish with the tufting and gluing. Remove the rug from the frame and cut the extra cloth around the edges. You need to carefully remove the leftover parts on the edges without removing any yarn strips. Afterward, you can apply the backing material and have a ready-to-use mat. 

The downside with this method is that over time, the edges can start to fall out and reduce the carpet’s life span. But it can be an excellent temporary solution. Suppose you begin to see some damage around the edges. In that case, you can save it easily with the following method, putting a strip of edge tape around the edges. 

Edge Tape

It is possible to use it as a recovery technique for damaged rugs or directly apply it from the beginning so it will be more durable. Various types of edging tapes are available in the market, with many kinds of fabrics, colors, dimensions, and quality. You can find a lot of options and check the current prices here. 

You can think of it as an extra step after you finish everything. Because it is possible to apply the tape if you folded the edges inside or cut it right on edge. 

Binding The Edges

Instead of putting an extra material on the edges like the tape, you can use the same material with the rug’s yarn. This way, it can blend into the design better if you use the same kind and color yarn. However, you can use a different one to add an extra touch to the design. 

I think this is one of the best methods to finish a rug. It is not hard to complete it as a technique. But it is a very repetitive task, so it can take a long time. It is very easy to get bored while you are binding the edges. You can do it while watching something and make it more joyful. Since you do not need to concentrate a lot while completing it. 

You can find a fantastic DIY tutorial on how to do it by hand down below.

You can find ready products similar to the edge tapes as an alternative to binding them by hand. You can easily attach these to the edges of your carpet, but they will look like it is bound by hand. Check the prices for them here.