Antique Turkish Kilim Repair

 

I've said before that kilim restoration projects are among my favorite.  I love restoring hand knotted rugs as well, but there is something about repairing kilims that is particularly satisfying.  I think it is mostly because the results are immediately visible and it feels particularly satisfying to see a kilim come back to "life" as I work.  Rug restoration is great too, but often I wait for it to be complete before I shear down the longer yarns so that the restored sections are revealed.  But kilim restoration can be more challenging than rug restoration because there is no place to "hide" mistakes in kilims (sometimes you can "hide" a restoration mistake in the pile of a rug).  Despite the extra challenge presented by kilims, restoration projects are so worth it.  Kilims feel almost drawn - maybe because of their graphic designs.  This "drawn" nature makes me feel like I'm just redrawing certain sections that the original weaver once drew.  It's an incredibly satisfying way to spend a few lovely afternoons (or longer, if the project is large). ---www.traditionalrugrepair.com