History of Moroccan Rugs

First Moroccan rugs were found dating to the time of the 7th Century, the Paleolithic Era. They were handmade by Berber tribes who designed them for their utility which also reflects their country's distinctive climate. The thickness and the heavy pile were inspired by the snow-capped, windswept elevations of the Atlas Mountains, and the light flat weave was inspired by the brutal heat of the Sahara. Even the size of the pieces and the loom were influenced by the tribe’s semi-nomadic existence as they needed to be transportable.

Moroccan Area Rugs by The Rug Decor

The tribe used this Moroccan style of weaving to solve their problems. They used it as Cloaks, rugs, burials, blankets, and even mattresses. They also varied in style and colors from the family which made them. They made their rug from the wool which they obtained from their sheep. Each family or tribe had its own set of dyes and their own ways of weaving the rug which gave each rug its own unique look.

There are several variations in making of Moroccan rug but the basic steps which are followed in making it are:

• The wool is obtained from the sheep and is hand-spun to create a raw material that can be weaved into a rug. The Rug Decor Moroccan Rugs are made with fine New Zealand wool which is ethically sourced and handpicked for quality control.
• Once the wool is sourced they are spun into yarns. The quality of the rug also depends on how fine the yarns are spun, the thinner it is, the better the finer the quality of the rug. These yarns can be handspun or mill spun depending on the texture of the area rug.

• After the spinning process, the yarn is dyed into color desired for the look and design of the area rug. The yarn dying requires precise measurement of the colors to match the  exact desired colors on the rug.
• Then comes the weaving, the Moroccan Rug uses flat weave technique for this process, the flat weaving has been around over centuries now. The Flat weave technique uses minimalist approach where you stick to more open designs and fewer number of colors.

• Before the rug is washed after weaving, it needs to be clipped and brought to ideal size so the water reaches to the core of the yarn and gives it perfect texture, washing an area rug is as important as its weaving, it defines and refines the texture of the rug.

• Finally, the rug is given a final finishing touch, in this step the rug gets its fringes, final clipping, and any finishing touches that are required. Once it passes the inspection it is ready to be part of your home

Moroccan rugs were invented by the Berber tribes to solve their problems, but today, these area rugs give the houses a modern bohemian look and the high piles of the rug give your home a cozy feel. The simple designs of this rug enhance the modern look and make your home modern yet comfortable home. We, The Rug Décor, believe in creating a similar feeling for you with our Moroccan rugs.

 Check out our Moroccan Rug collection