| The warmth and charm of country decor can be | | | | exposing the center core. It does not make sense to |
| enhanced by adding braided area rugs to your home. | | | | invest your hard earned money in a rug that will |
| From French country and shabby chic to a country | | | | survive everyday wear and tear. |
| cottage look, braided rugs are available in all shapes | | | | Flat and ribbon braids are made differently. The yarn |
| and sizes. Quality braided rugs are easy to care for | | | | or cloth is braided around two center cores that run |
| and can last for many years. | | | | parallel. Holding the braid to a consistent weave is |
| There are many different braiding styles that be used | | | | somewhat more difficult than weaving around a single |
| to make a variety of different shapes. So when you | | | | center core. Flat braids are often seen used in unique |
| are shopping online for quality braided rugs, remember | | | | swirl patterns that spiral out from the center. False |
| that these classic rugs are available in a variety of | | | | braids, unlike what the name implies, are true braids |
| weaves, colors, sizes and shapes. | | | | with the cloth wrapped around one or two center |
| Traditional braided area rugs are most often seen in | | | | cores. The type of construction makes false braiding |
| round and oval shapes, but the selection does not stop | | | | very strong and durable. |
| there. Braided rugs can also be found in squares and | | | | To achieve the desired shape, the braiding process |
| as long braided runners. Heart shaped rugs are quaintly | | | | must be very consistent. The braids for hearts and |
| romantic and are very popular. The shape of the rug | | | | rounds must be sewn together evenly so that the rug |
| usually determines the type of braid that is used. A | | | | will lay flat. A cheaply made braided rug may curl or |
| very popular shape for braided rugs is rectangular and | | | | pucker, especially after cleaning. When you are |
| made up of smaller squares closely resembling the | | | | shopping for any shape or size of braided rug, always |
| beauty of a patchwork quilt. | | | | check the integrity of the stitching. If the stitching |
| Braided rag rugs do not use a center core unlike | | | | seems loose or is not uniformly spaced, you may |
| woven braids where yarn is spun around one or two | | | | consider looking for a braided of higher quality. |
| center cores. A standard rag rug braid is typically | | | | Braided runners can be made so the braids run parallel |
| made up of four braids. Flat rag braids can have | | | | to each other then wrapped at the corners. Again, the |
| anywhere from four to as many as twelve braids of | | | | way the rug is sewn will determine how long it lasts. |
| cloth. The most common are flat or ribbon braids | | | | Braids that are not sewn tightly will separate leaving |
| though round braids also used. Properly made flat and | | | | you with the choice of repairing or discarding the rug. |
| ribbon braids are often preferred over round braids. | | | | Sewn too tightly and the rug is more likely to warp, curl |
| Some flat rag braids can be as wide as two inches. | | | | or otherwise loose its shape. |
| Many less expensive, mass produced braided rugs | | | | If braided rugs fit into your decorating plans, remember |
| can be found using a round braid. The braid is very | | | | that your decor can be complimented with matching |
| often made up of four weaves of yarn wrapped | | | | accent pieces. Accents can include pieces such as |
| around a solid center core. Regardless of the shape, | | | | braided chair pads, placemats and table runners. |
| the braids of cheap rugs will often wear through, | | | | |