Handmade vs. Machine Made

Natural fibers absorb and retain dyes in a "natural" way, resulting in an "authentic" appearance that has not been matched by synthetic fabrics. To the novice eye, machine made, synthetic area rugs may appear remarkably similar to handmade rugs, but there is really no comparison between a mass-manufactured synthetic rug, and the exquisite hue, feel, artistry, and history of a natural fiber rug woven or knotted by hand.

Handmade hearth rugs are made of a variety of materials. Natural fiber rugs are typically made of wool, silk, cotton, sisal, jute, or sea grass, whereas commercial area rugs are typically manufactured with synthetic materials. Wool and silk are commonly used in Central America, Asia, India, and the Middle East, while Sisal, jute, and sea grass rugs are most common to Mexico, Brazil, Africa, and some areas of Asia.