Moroccan Rugs: Machine-made Vs. Hand-made

If you are looking for a Moroccan Amazigh rug for a traditional/modern addition to your space, it is crucial that you fully understand the distinctions between hand-made and machine-made Moroccan rugs so you really know what you are getting. Because of the skill with which they are designed, as well as the high quality and durability of the rug, handcrafted woven Moroccan rugs are typically more costly than machine-made Moroccan rugs. This quick guide will help you determine if a Moroccan rug was made by hand or by machine.

How to Tell If Your Rug Is Handmade or Machine Made?

The most important way is to check the back or underside of your Moroccan rug to see if it is hand-made rather than machine-made. You will easily know it is a handmade rug if the knots and stitching are not perfectly standardized.
There are some noticeable distinctions between the back of a hand-made Moroccan rug and the back of a machine-made rug. A hand-made Moroccan rug's edges may not be completely straight, and some white knots may be visible when viewed from the back. White lines stretch all the way around the back of a machine-made rug from one edge to the other; these are the base yarns, which do not appear on handmade rugs. The fact that rugs that are handwoven by simple, local Amazigh women who do not need a specific design to follow, shows a lot of imperfections that make these rugs outstanding. 

What is the Material of Your Rug?

Moroccan rugs are usually handcrafted from wool and other natural materials such as cotton or Sabra (cactus silk). If your rug is made of manmade, synthetic fabrics such as polyester or nylon, it was for sure made by a machine. There is a trick you can try to know what kind of material you have in your hands. Take a string of the rug and burn it, if it lights up it means it is synthetic wool, if not it means it is natural wool. Keep in mind that natural wool is safer for the environment and that it is pet and kid-friendly.

Originality

The real Moroccan Amazigh rugs are impossible to be made somewhere else outside of Morocco. If it is made in Italy, Belgium or china it is absolutely machine-made. The technique and the process of making these rugs can be found only in Morocco and only in some specific regions. 

Look at the Fringes of the Rug

Take a look at your Moroccan rug's fringe and look again for the imperfections -the quality that makes these rugs on high demand and pricey-. Is it sewn on separately or is it integrated into the rug? The fringe on a Moroccan rug is normally crafted from the warp yarns of crafted rugs, but it is typically sewn onto a machine-made rug at the end of the process to give it the appearance of being hand-made in order to sell it at a higher price that does not actually deserve it.

Insurance Makes All the Difference

Manufactured Moroccan rugs are not made to last, and the length of time they will look fabulous will differ. All is determined by the consistency of the materials used. Moroccan vintage rugs are very popular because they have lasted for hundreds of years. Collecting machine-made rugs has little appeal, no matter how long they last. The most crucial thing about Moroccan rugs is that they are handwoven, only this fact gives them most of their values. 

 All in all, pure Moroccan Amazigh rugs are a real investment that is worth the price and the patience to look closer for the "one". When you purchase a hand-woven Moroccan rug, you will help households in the Atlas to survive the hard conditions of living and to educate their kids.