Rachel Potter

If you’re already binding rugs and carpets, there’s a simple and cost-effective way to upgrade your setup, offer a premium finish, and increase your profit margins: add a serging tape folder to your existing carpet binding machine.

This small attachment can transform your machine, allowing you to give area rugs that elegant, serged-edge look without needing a dedicated, high-cost serger. Even better? You can often charge at least twice as much per foot for serging a rug versus applying a standard binding.

What Is a Serging Tape Folder?

A serging tape folder is a specialty attachment that fits onto a carpet binder or sewing machine. It feeds serging tape around the edge of the carpet and guides it precisely for stitching. This gives your rug or mat a clean, finished look that mimics the appearance of true serging – at a fraction of the equipment cost.

A Serging Finish Without the High Equipment Cost

Traditionally, achieving a serged edge on area rugs required a separate, expensive serging machine. But with Bond Products’ serging tape and folder attachment, you can now replicate the look of machine serging using your existing carpet binder. That means you get the same high-end finish without the investment in additional equipment.

Double Your Profit Per Foot

Not only does this method save you money on equipment, but it also opens the door to higher-margin services. Rugs with a serged edge are typically considered more premium than those with basic binding, and customers are willing to pay for the difference. In fact, with serging tape, you can often charge at least twice as much per foot compared to standard binding.

How to Install and Use a Serging Tape Folder

The serging tape folder installs directly onto your standard carpet binding machine. Once attached, it allows you to run serging tape (available from Bond Products in 60 colors) through the binder, applying it just like traditional binding tape. The result? A clean, durable serged look that’s in high demand with today’s homeowners.

You don’t need advanced sewing skills to get started. Here’s how the process works:

1. Attach the Folder to Your Machine

Find the attachment area near your binding machine’s presser foot. Secure the serging tape folder in place, ensuring it’s properly aligned with the needle path and feed dogs.

2. Thread the Serging Tape

• Fold the serging tape in half and crease it.
• Trim the ends for easier feeding.
• Insert the tape into the folder with the wrong side facing you.
• Use tweezers or a sewing awl to gently guide the tape through the slot.
• Pull the tape through the right side of the folder so it exits cleanly.

3. Feed the Carpet or Fabric

• Position the edge of the rug or carpet against the folder’s guide.
• As you sew, the feed dogs will pull the fabric and tape through together, wrapping the edge and securing it with a clean stitch.

Key Tips for Success

• Choose the right tape width: Make sure your serging tape matches your folder’s specifications to avoid bunching or uneven edges.
• Use on high-pile rugs: Serging works especially well on plush or thick carpets that benefit from a soft, wrapped edge.
• Consider the look you want: Serging gives a more “hand-finished,” upscale appearance – perfect for high-end area rugs and custom jobs.
• Our 1 1/4″ serge tape folder requires a longer needle (SKU #21022L) to make it work properly. It is very important to use the long needles for this folder when using a portable binding machine. Bond sells #22L Ball Point LONG SHANK FOR 1-1/4 FOLDERS (X17). These are sold in packages of 10 needles or as a box of 100. 135×17-22BP. 

Why Adding a Serging Tape Folder Is a Smart Investment

There’s no need to invest in expensive serging machinery when you can achieve a similar look with a serging tape folder. This low upfront investment delivers a high return by allowing you to offer a more premium, professionally finished edge. It’s a great upsell opportunity for rug makers and installers who want to enhance the value of their work. Whether you’re creating custom area rugs, doing restoration projects, or working on high-end installations, this simple upgrade gives your finished product a polished, high-quality appearance that customers will appreciate.

Add a Serging Tape Folder and Turn Your Carpet Binder Into a High-Profit Machine

Whether you’re creating custom area rugs, restoring stair runners, or finishing mats, adding a serging tape folder gives you a competitive edge.

Are you ready to upgrade? Reach out to Bond Products today, or shop our online store to find the right products for your setup.

 

One of the biggest rug trends of 2022 is vintage rugs. While classic rugs like Persian rugs never truly go out of style, the distressed, vintage look is in. There are different options if you are interested in incorporating rugs of this type into your home decor. Here we will discuss the benefits of these rugs as well as what to do with your vintage rug once you’ve found the perfect one. 

Vintage = Chic + Environmentally Friendly

A current trend in home fashion is the move away from mass produced items to classic pieces and vintage treasures, including distressed rugs. Why? First, older vintage pieces are unique. They have a history that people connect with in different ways, and they can help create a one-of-a-kind look in the living room, bedroom, or other personal space. 

Second, vintage rugs are an eco-conscious choice following the “Reduce, reuse, recycle” motto. They already exist. No new resources need to be used to create them, and finding space for them keeps them out of the landfill. 

How Can You Tell If a Rug Is Vintage? 

Vintage can be defined as being between 30-99 years old (as opposed to antique which refers to items more than 100 years old). Here are some signs that indicate you’re dealing with a true older rug: 

• It shows signs of wear
• It feels gritty or smooth on the back
• It’s floppy or more supple than a new rug
• It has low or worn away rug pile 
• It’s dyed in colors that can be identified by period

Not every vintage looking rug will be vintage. Some companies offer affordable, machine washable, classic looking rugs that look good but are not vintage. If you want the look but don’t want to search for months through antique stores and flea markets, that may be a good solution. 

What To Do with a Vintage Rug 

If you do decide to purchase an older, distressed rug or you get lucky and inherit one, what should you do with it? We recommend three things. 

Have it professionally cleaned – Your rug may come with dirt, stains, pet urine, or cigarette smoke – all of which will cause harm to it if you don’t remove them. Because these crafted pieces are more delicate, you should take it to a professional to clean it. They will make sure it’s clean, dry, and odor free.

Have it professionally repaired – A certain amount of wear can give a rug historical authenticity or charm as it does to any other antique. If you intend to use it in your home, you should have loose yarns and frayed patches repaired, however.

Replace the binding – A new binding makes a real difference in the appearance of an older rug. Bond Products offers many different types of bindings for rugs made of both natural and synthetic fibers. You can do this at home yourself using Instabind or have a rug professional attend to it once the carpet has been restored.

Once your vintage rug is clean, repaired, and re-bound, it will be ready to be showcased in your home to great effect.  If you have any questions about carpet binding products, don’t hesitate to contact us at Bond Products today.