Mounting a rug/tapestry for wall hanging in DC?

January 17, 2018 3:18 AM

I have an old rug that my family acquired in Morocco while stationed there in the 1950's. I'm like to display it, but I'm not sure how to hang it.

The rug's not particularly valuable, but it is pretty, and I would like to pay to get a backing put on it and have some ring holes put in it so I can hang it. Could a standard seamstress' shop do that, or do I need someone who specializes in rugs? Any recommendations on places in the DC area (I have a car and can drive, so suburbs are ok), would be most appreciated!

posted by backwards compatible to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

The MSU Museum has a guide to quilt care and display that might be helpful to you in terms of deciding how you want the rug backing/hanging to work. I'm not sure what you mean by "ring holes" but there's no point in damaging the rug, regardless of its monetary value.

At plenty of museums, trained volunteers do this kind of work, so it isn't complicated. However, it is best done with light tacking stitches, so it's relatively labor-intensive handwork (rather than machine-sewing). A standard seamstress's shop could easily do it, but they might want to charge more than you expect. The conservation benefit would be worth it, imo. I am a curator, although not specifically of textiles, so my opinion is admittedly guided by a concern for the long-term preservation of the rug.
posted by obliquicity at 3:40 AM on January 17, 2018

If it's wool make sure you get it moth-proofed. I have an old handwoven wool rug that my mother hung on our wall in DC when I was a kid and the top of it got badly destroyed by moths even though there was no other sign of moths in our apartment.
posted by mareli at 3:47 AM on January 17, 2018

Zamani in Georgetown can do this for you I'm sure... They sell silk road stuff including carpets and are national experts

If you prefer suburbs they have a shop in VA too
posted by cacao at 4:19 AM on January 17, 2018 [1 favorite]

My roommate and I have several rugs and tapestries hanging on our walls. His method (that works well and looks really nice): buy the clip on curtain rings, use as many as necessary to support the weight of the tapestry or rug, mount a nice drapery rod of appropriate length on the wall, hang the tapestry or rug with the rings on the rod.
It doesn't damage the pieces we are hanging and we can change them often or easily if we want
posted by August Fury at 7:46 AM on January 17, 2018 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Our Moroccan rug is hanging in our DC dining room right now, via a Amish quilt clamp.
posted by Karaage at 8:19 AM on January 17, 2018

Ok so currently the “right” way to do this is to prepare a length of wide hook-and-loop tape sewn onto unbleached cotton tape and slip stitch it across the back of the piece. The matching hook side of the tape gets stuck to a narrow slat of wood which can then be mounted to the wall however you please. This way the piece is evenly supported across its whole weight, hangs without wrinkles, and can easily be removed for cleaning and maintenance. This may or may not be overkill for what you want.

It’s slightly fussy but easy handwork - as long as you can get the materials it’s an easy afternoon DIY. Or, I’m in DC and could do it for you - memail me if interested.
posted by peachfuzz at 11:25 AM on January 17, 2018 [1 favorite]

I hang my tapetes using Velcro. Attach the stiff side to the wall, and press the rug into it as if it were the fuzzy side of the Velcro. No need to sew anything.
posted by Wet Spot at 11:05 PM on January 24, 2018