Silk Rug Repair since 1881.
Specialist hand reweaving and restoration for fine silk rugs — Hereke, Qom, Tabriz silk, Kashmir silk. Matched gauge, hand-dyed silk, conservative methods. Free pick-up across five metros.
Repairing fine silk rugs continuously since 1881.
The patience and craft fine silks demand, passed down four generations.
Listed by the Oriental Rug Buyers Guide as one of the country's top rug authorities.
Accredited member of the Better Business Bureau, Memphis chapter.
Silk rug repair is the most demanding work we perform. Knot densities of 600 to 1,200 knots per square inch are typical in fine silk pieces — Hereke, Qom, the finest Tabriz silks — and any repair has to be performed at the same density. Beyond the technical density challenge, silk takes dye differently than wool, with more saturated colors and more dramatic shifts in light. Matching aged silk colors is one of the most demanding aspects of fine rug repair, and getting it right requires both experienced craftspeople and the right materials.
Fred Remmers Rug Cleaners has been repairing silk rugs since 1881. Four generations of family training. Our silk repair work covers the full range of silk traditions — Turkish (Hereke, Kayseri silk), Iranian (Qom, fine Tabriz silk), Indian (Kashmir silk), Chinese silk pieces, and contemporary art-silk traditions. We also handle silk-highlighted oriental rugs, which require silk-specific repair technique on the silk areas even when most of the rug is wool. The fundamental approach is conservative: matched silk gauge, hand-dyed silk for color matching, fine-density reweaving, and minimal intervention beyond what the structural or visual requirements demand.
Common silk repair work includes hand reweaving of damaged or worn pile, foundation repair when silk warps and wefts have weakened, color integration for areas where dye has faded or run, fringe and selvage work, and silk-highlight repair on otherwise-wool rugs. We document every silk repair with before, during, and after photographs — partly because high-value silks usually warrant insurance documentation, and partly because the difficulty of silk repair work makes it worth recording. For any silk rug worth several thousand dollars or more, we recommend pairing repair with appraisal documentation. Silk pieces are frequently under-insured, and a current appraisal protects you in case of future damage or loss.
Why silk repair is different.
Silk fibers and silk construction create specific repair challenges that don't exist with wool.
Fine knot density
Silk pieces routinely run 600–1,200 knots per square inch. Repair has to match that density, which means extremely fine work and slow progress. There is no faster way to do it correctly.
Hand-dyed silk matching
Silk takes dye differently than wool — more saturated, more nuanced. Matching aged silk colors requires hand-dyeing to specific tones, often with multiple test samples before final dye lot is selected.
Luster preservation
Silk's characteristic shifting luster depends on fiber alignment and dye depth. Improper handling during repair can dull silk areas; conservative methods and clean tooling preserve the original sheen.
Foundation fragility
Silk-on-silk construction (foundation also silk) is more fragile than silk-on-cotton. Foundation repair on full-silk pieces requires extra care to avoid further weakening the structure.
Art silk identification
Many "silk" rugs are actually viscose or bamboo silk. Repair constraints for cellulose fiber are different from true silk — no wet cleaning during repair, different adhesion characteristics. Correct identification is critical.
Silk highlights on wool rugs
Many fine Persians use silk highlights in an otherwise wool rug. Repair to silk-highlight areas requires silk technique even when most of the rug is wool. We adapt area-by-area.
Silk repair, step by step.
1. Fiber identification & assessment
Confirm true silk vs. art silk, document construction (knot count, foundation type, fiber composition), and damage. Photograph thoroughly.
2. Discussion & estimate
Discuss the scope of repair needed, with conservative options where appropriate. Provide written estimate before work begins.
3. Hand-dyed silk matching
Source or hand-dye silk to match aged colors and luster. Multiple test samples for difficult color matches.
4. Foundation work
Stabilize warps and wefts as needed before pile work. Critical for full-silk pieces with silk foundations.
5. Fine-density reweaving
Hand-knot pile at matched density (often 600–1,200 KPSI), matched fiber gauge, matched aged colors. Painstaking work, no way to rush it.
6. Final inspection & documentation
Final after-photographs, written report on materials and techniques, and recommendations for ongoing care.
Silk rug repair across 5 metros.
Hand reweaving and restoration for silk rugs in every market we serve. Free pick-up, free delivery.
Frequently asked questions.
Why is silk rug repair more demanding than wool rug repair?
Can you match silk colors and luster?
What about repair to silk highlights on a wool rug?
My rug is labeled 'art silk' or 'viscose.' Can you repair it?
How much does silk rug repair cost?
Available across five metros.
Free pick-up and delivery in every city we serve. Tap a city for local details and your nearest phone number.