Our craft
The Making of an Amara Rug
Amara's ambition is to provide much more than just rugs. This is reflected in our manufacturing process, which consists of highly specialized state-of-the-art techniques combined with the centuries-old art of hand weaving. The end results are handmade masterpieces of an exceptional caliber.
In addition to our current inventory, Amara's recent focus has been to develop a line of organic rugs, ensuring the use of only the best natural materials available. Depending on the size, the making of a rug can require several months or even a few years. There are seven carefully conducted steps in this process.
Each Amara rug is the result of time, skill, and an unwavering commitment to quality. From the sourcing of raw materials to the final finishing, every step is carried out with care by experienced artisans.
The process
Seven Steps. A Lasting Legacy.
Wool Collection
Our manufacturers raise free grazing sheep in the northern areas of Pakistan. The resulting wool is rich in Lanolin and unequaled. To ensure there is no harm to the animals, the sheep are carefully sheared during the Spring, enabling them to grow their blanket back before the onset of the Winter season.
Designing
To ensure that our rugs are tailored according to current and ongoing trends, integrated coordination among interior and fabric designers is carried out within the United States and overseas. Amara works hard to stay on top of recent and cutting edge developments in color palettes and designs. In coordination with other rug designers in Pakistan, Adeel Malik finalizes the designs and colors of each collection.
Natural & Vegetable Dyeing
In an effort to revive a centuries old method of dyeing and to achieve a highly desired patina, Amara has chosen to use dyes that are, primarily, natural and vegetable dyes. Natural and vegetable procuring resources include, but are not limited to, reds from tomatoes and dried madder root, yellows from welds, blues from indigo plants, greens from sequential dyeing of indigo and weld and browns from walnut husks.
Hand Spinning
There are several ways to spin the wool. The method Amara chooses to use is called hand spinning. Hand spinning is much more primitive and time consuming than most other methods. In the end though, we have wool strands that are each different in their structure. These subtle variations in the wool enable us to achieve beautiful textures in our rugs.
Mapping & Translation of a Design
Before rug weaving can be initiated, the weavers need a design to follow. This designing is carried out by a Rug Map Artist. Once the map is completed, it is then painted exactly as the final rug will appear. The map is now translated into the local languages of the weavers so that they will be able to develop a precise understanding of the design of the rug and of their tasks.
Weaving & Hand Knotting
Rug weaving is an art that dates back to the fifth century B.C. Using the same method as the first rug weavers of centuries ago, the process of weaving the rug begins. Weaving is done by tying a knot around multiple longitudinal threads. The average weaver ties 50 to 55 knots per minute. Tools such as sickle shaped knives and sharp sticks are used to facilitate the process and to achieve precision.
Washing, Shearing, Blocking & Final Touches
Once the rug is off of the loom, it is hand washed several times and then put on a stretch or a blocking board upside down, under the sun, to dry and acquire a straight shape. When a rug is woven its pile is uneven. Once off of the blocking board, it is then meticulously sheared to achieve an even pile.
A rug for generations
More Than a Rug
Weavers take pride in creating a rug that will be cherished for many generations to come. Since each rug is handmade, no two rugs will ever be exactly the same. Each rug will have its own characteristic beauty that makes it truly an artistic masterpiece.