Brian’s Blog

In our last blog we talked about how to keep an area rug from creeping on carpet. A bigger problem in the home, however, is rugs slipping on wood floors or other hard surfaces. It’s a safety issue because a slip-and-fall accident can result in an injury. Using rug grippers and non-slip rug pad products can stop your rugs from moving and lower the risk of injury in your home. 

Slip-and-Fall Accidents Are a Common Cause of Injury

Everyone has had a slip-and-fall accident at least once, but more than a million Americans every year go to the emergency room because of an injury sustained during a slip-and-fall accident. This is a real problem. Slip and falls cause serious injury in 20-30% of cases. About 5% involve broken bones. Falls are the leading cause of brain injury and hip fracture, and one-third of adults age 65 or older fall annually. 

Of course, not all of those slip-and-fall accidents involve rugs, but every one involving an unsecured rug is preventable if you use the right products. Bond Products offers a variety of rug backing products for our customers to choose from. 

Rug Grippers and Non-Slip Rug Pad Products

The first type of anti-slip product is TRACTIONBACK Secondary Felt, Double-Grip rubber backing. This product is attached by latex or spray gluing as a secondary backing using either side: felt side down if laying on carpet, or rubber side down if non-skid on a hard surface is needed.

Another products is LOK-LIFT Rug Gripper which can be cut into strips and attached to the outline of the rug on its underside to keep it from moving. LOK-LIFT is safe for all floor surfaces. 

We also offer two non-slip rug pad products, Eco-Grip and Eco-Stay. These rug pads can be purchased to match the dimensions of your rug and cut down to size you need. Rug pads also provide cushioning underneath and make standing or walking on your rug more comfortable. 

Put Them to the Test

To make sure your rug product has been applied correctly and is working, lay the rug on the floor where you want it and test it. Push it with your foot, applying pressure and trying to move it forth side to side or back and forth. If the rug doesn’t move, great! You’ve just increased the safety of the room environment. If it does move, check the directions and make sure you’ve applied the backing product correctly. 

Some products will work more successfully with certain floor types. If you have any questions about which rug grippers or non-slip rug pad products would work best for your rug, don’t hesitate to call Bond Products’ customer service professionals at 1-888-800-BOND. We will be glad to help you choose the right one. 

 

We have answered many carpet binding questions on this blog over the years. Here’s another common one: How thick is carpet binding tape? Let’s talk about binding tape thickness and what people need to know about carpet binding. 

A Quick Refresher: 

Carpet binding tape is tape that is used to bind the edges of carpets, area rugs, runners, and staircases to make them more attractive and prevent them from fraying or unraveling.

People use binding tape for a number of purposes besides binding carpet or turning a remnant into a rug, including crafts, home decor, and, most recently, making face masks. They are useful for these purposes because binding tape comes in a number of fabric types as well as a large variety of colors, so it’s easy to match or complement the fabric or material you are binding it to. 

Binding tape is attached to carpet by either hot glue, stapling, or sewing. Instabind is attached with hot glue and is typically used for smaller DIY rug projects. It comes in regular, cotton binding, faux leather, synthetic serge, cotton serge, rope edge, outdoor marine, and safety edge varieties. 

How Thick Is Carpet Binding Tape? 

Binding tape that is used to bind carpets with carpet binding machines comes in a number of thicknesses, but the most common are ⅞ and 1¼ inches. The thicker the carpet or rug being bound, the thicker the binding tape has to be to cover the edge. Bond Products sells binding tape in these thicknesses:

• Cotton 7/8″ Serging Tape
• Cotton 1¼” Serging Tape
• Cotton 3” and 5” Wide Sisal Binding Tape
• Polyester 3” Binding Tape
• Cotton ¾”, 1¼” Binding Tape
• Polyester 13/16 ” and 1¼” Binding Tape
• Veltron “Mega” ⅝”, ⅞”, 1 ¼”  Polyester Binding Tape
• Marine ⅞”, 1¼”  Polyester Felt Binding Tape

These tapes are available in a full spectrum of colors to match whatever kind of carpet is on the market for sale. 

During the carpet binding process, the carpet will be cut down to the desired shape. It may also be beveled and tapered toward the edges. This will affect how wide the binding tape has to be and make the tape lie neatly at the edges. 

Bond Products also has carpet binding equipment for sale as well as other quality equipment, including sergers, cutters, bevelers, and machine package deals. If you have further questions about binding tape thickness or need anything, call us at 1-888-800-BOND. We will be glad to help you. 

 

When you use Bond’s Turf Tape Seaming System, you really need to use a turf seam sled. There are some things that you do not want to happen while you’re seaming artificial turf together. For example, you don’t want crooked seams, and you don’t want the adhesive you’re using to not bond completely.

Using Bond’s Seam Sled

The seam sled helps you centrally align the turf tape with the iron under the seam so you’ll have a straight seam line, and it lets you press and tractor turf into the turf tape’s melted adhesive for optimal bonding strength.

The seam sled does more than prevent these things from happening. If you’re having to seam over gravel or stone, or some other kind of rough and uneven surface, the seam sled provides a solid, smooth, and even base, eliminating any distortion or bumpy seams. It also helps prevent delaminating of the turf backing.

When trying to lay artificial turf in cold weather, keeping the iron hot to melt the turf tape adhesive can pose a real problem. The seam sled keeps the iron hot enough for the adhesive to melt completely.

If you don’t use a seam sled, you might find yourself running into a lot of problems that will cost you time and money. Take a look at our video demonstration of artificial turf seaming below and see how easy it is to use.

As always, if you have any questions about the turf seaming process, be sure to contact us at 1-888-800-BOND. Our customer service team will be happy to help you find anything you need.

Don’t throw away that family heirloom rug. You can have it cleaned and restored and get many more years of service out of it.

The example above is typical of older carpets that have been restored to almost or like new status. The photograph, of a recently restored rug in the Bellevue Hotel Restaurant here in Philadelphia, required a professional cleaning and re-binding. Using a wide tapestry binder, a new leather edge was re-applied to restore it to its original beauty. This rug was rebound using our PBL-TX Tapestry Binder, in fact.

Tips on Refurbishing a Custom Rug

Restoring an antique rug is really an art. What will be required for restoration depends upon the complexity of the pattern and the wear and tear the rug has endured. Examples of needed repairs include the following.

• The missing warp may need to be rebuilt
• The right yarns need to be found and woven in to recreate or fill in the design pattern
• Edges need to be rebound to prevent the rug from fraying and to give it a renewed appearance

The decision whether to toss the rug or get it restored may not be easy since it does involve some costs. However, if the rug has artistic, sentimental, or historical value, you might want to consider having it refurbished because you won’t be able to replace its significance.

If you have any questions about what it requires to refurbish your rug, just contact us at 1-888-800-BOND.  We’ll be happy to talk to you about it.

 

Carpet binder servicing. It’s a pretty simple process as long as you take a few precautions when sending your machine to Bond for professional repair. Here are the steps you should take to make sure your machine gets to us safe and sound so we can get it repaired and returned to you quickly. 

Pack and Ship Your Binder Properly

The first thing you need to do is to pack your carpet binder or serger securely so that it doesn’t get damaged en route to us. Include this information with your machine when you send it to us at Bond Products: 

• The name of your company 
• Your address
• Your phone number
• The name of the person we can call with questions about your binder 

Ship your package to this address: 

Attn. Service Dept.

Bond Products, Inc.

4511 Wayne Ave.

Philadelphia, PA 19144

 

We recommend that you use UPS to ship your machine. Be sure to insure your binder with UPS so that, if it is lost or arrives damaged, we can file a claim with UPS and you can be reimbursed for the loss. Carpet binders and sergers are expensive pieces of equipment, so they should always be insured when shipped. When we ship the repaired machine back to you, we take care to insure it too. 

Carpet Binder Servicing: What Happens When Your Machine Gets to Us

Our professional staff will unpack your carpet binder, review the information you send to us, and evaluate the machine. If we have questions about your binder, we will contact you. If you have questions before, during, or after you send your binder to us, please call us. We are always happy to speak to customers and try to resolve their problems. 

Sometimes a carpet binder is in poor enough condition that we recommend that the customer invest in a new machine rather than put more money into something that will only last so much longer. In this way, carpet binding machines are a lot like cars. How long a car will last depends on how well it’s taken care of. If your binding equipment is regularly lubricated, blown out, and cleaned, it will perform better and longer. 

Bond Products has been manufacturing carpet binding equipment since the 1980s, and, believe it or not, many of these older machines are still running very well for their owners. It all depends on how they are treated. Proper maintenance is important! 

Repair Your Carpet Binder Now

Remember, when you send your binder to us, pack it properly, include the right documentation with the equipment, insure it with UPS, and let us know exactly what problems you are having. We will take it from there. Carpet binder servicing is our job, and we do it very well. 

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to repair your carpet binder, that time is now! 

 

Let’s talk about a specific carpet binding edge that is both unique and highly profitable: serging tape. Many customers love the elegant look of a serged carpet edge, but traditional serging can require specialized equipment and additional labor. Serging tape offers a faster and easier alternative while still creating a high-end finished appearance.

What Is Serging Tape?

Serging tape mimics the look and feel of real serging yarn, but it can be applied quickly and easily with almost any binding machine by simply changing the tape folder attachment.

The tape itself is made from 100% cotton and features a loose-face yarn weave that closely resembles true serging. Because of this texture and appearance, many finished rugs look professionally serged without requiring a dedicated serging machine.

Bond Products offers serging tape in both 7/8″ and 1-1/4″ widths and carries a wide variety of colors to match different carpet styles and décor choices.

How Serging Tape Is Applied

Serging tape is generally applied using a straight stitch. Once the proper tape folder attachment is installed, the tape feeds smoothly through the machine and creates a clean decorative edge around the carpet or rug.

The process is fast, efficient, and much simpler than traditional serging methods. This makes it an excellent option for carpet shops, flooring professionals, and rug fabricators who want to expand their finishing options without investing in additional machinery.

A Profitable Carpet Edge Option

One reason many businesses choose serging tape is the strong profit potential it offers.

Bond’s serging tape line includes approximately 70 colors in the 1-1/4″ width and comes packaged on 216-foot rolls. While material and labor costs vary depending on the project, the application cost averages around $.30 per foot. Finished serged edges commonly sell for $3.00 to $5.00 per foot or more.

For example, finishing a 9′ x 12′ carpet with serging tape may cost roughly $12.00 in materials while generating well over $100 in revenue. In many cases, the entire job takes less than twenty minutes to complete.

Adding serging tape services can help increase daily profits while also giving customers a premium-looking carpet edge option.

A High-End Look Without a Serging Machine

By finishing rugs with serging tape, you can offer a more upscale appearance that helps distinguish your business from competitors. Customers often appreciate the softer, more decorative edge that serging tape creates compared to standard binding.

At the same time, you avoid the cost and complexity of operating a traditional serging machine.

Serging Tape Options for DIY Projects

If you are a DIYer or working on a smaller rug-binding project, Bond Products also offers Instabind in both cotton serge style and synthetic serge style. These products create a similar decorative effect and allow homeowners and hobbyists to achieve a professional-looking finish without specialized equipment.

Contact Bond Products for Serging Tape

Whether you are a flooring professional looking to expand your services or a DIYer finishing a custom rug project, Bond Products can help you find the right serging tape and supplies.

If you have questions about serging tape, Instabind, or carpet edge finishing, contact our knowledgeable customer service team today. We are always happy to help.

For carpet and rug binding, matching colors precisely is a necessity. Because we understand this, Bond offers a comprehensive array of color cards that cater to every binding and serging need. These color cards are essential tools for anyone in the carpet and rug binding industry who wants to make the perfect color match every time.

Why Invest in Color Cards?

There are a number of reasons to purchase our color charts and cards, including: 

Precision in Color Matching: Bond’s color charts eliminate the guesswork in selecting the appropriate shades for carpet binding tapes, serging yarns, and more. This is essential for maintaining consistency in product lines and custom projects.

Wide Variety: With a range of options covering everything from cotton serging tape to sisal and faux leather, Bond Products’ color cards provide solutions for nearly any rug-binding (or serging) need. Each card is detailed, offering a true representation of our available colors.

• Bond Cotton and Serge Tape Sample Deck
• Bond 400 Cotton Chart (for BOTH cotton binding and cotton serge tape colors)
• Bond 3” & 5” Sisal Chart
• Bond Faux Leather Binding and Rug Backing Chart
• Bond 780 Veltron Binding Color Chart
• Bond 425 Polyester Color Card
• Bond’s *NEW* Serge Yarn Chart

And more!

Cost-Effective: Purchasing color cards is a minor investment compared to the cost of mistakes and mismatched colors in a project. They help in making informed decisions that save money, time, and frustration in the long run.

Ease of Use: The clear, organized layout of the color charts makes them easy to use and reference, streamlining the selection process.

Ideal for Multiple Applications

Bond’s color charts and cards are not just for carpets. They are invaluable for upholstery, automotive interiors, marine environments, and anywhere you need precise color coordination. They help professionals create products that meet exact specifications, enhancing customer satisfaction.

For those in the carpet and rug binding industry, Bond Products’ color cards are more than just a tool; they are an integral part of the creative color-matching process. Our quality cotton tapes are woven, dyed, and finished here in our family’s 5th generation 100+ year old Philadelphia textile mill. Custom dying is also available to match your color samples. Please call us at 1-888-800-BOND for minimums and prices. We are always ready to answer your questions and match you with the products you need. 

 

Wall-to-wall was quite the mid-century carpet trend in our parents’ and grandparents’ days. Breakthroughs in nylon fibers, electrification, and the proliferation of appliances like the portable vacuum made Americans happily turn their backs on the days when cleaning the rug meant taking it outside and beating it. New was best, and labor-saving devices made all sorts of decorative choices possible.

Now everything old is new again. Wall-to-wall carpeting is the standard for many modern homes, and we take our appliances for granted, so we long for the sight of refinished hardwood floors and want to replace our vacuums for brooms or swiffers. If you’re wondering how to go about accomplishing that, there are plenty of sites that will demonstrate how to determine if your house may have attractive looking hardwood under carpet as well as how to rip it up and refinish that wood so that its natural luster adds another dimension of beauty to your home. Pinterest has plenty of suggestions for carpets, rugs and wood floors as well.

Reasons to Remove Your Old Carpet

Other than trends or stylistic choices are there other reasons you might want to get rid of your wall-to-wall carpet? Yes! What are they?

• A worn carpet will make a whole room look shabby, even if it’s only worn in spots. On the other hand, people have a tendency to excuse older wood as being antique, vintage, or distressed. Hardwood is easy to keep clean looking, unlike wall-to-wall carpet.
• Synthetic Carpets trap allergens and lessen the air quality in the house. This can be a real problem for people with severe allergies or asthma.
• It’s much easier to replace an area rug than a roomful of carpet. This is true whether your reason for replacing your carpet is the condition of the carpet, a desire to try something new or change things up, or display an antique carpet as a room centerpiece.

Once you’ve decided that you want to make a change to a hardwood floor, how do you go about choosing your area rug? The sky (and your budget) is the limit. You can choose to cover most or only a small area of your hardwood. Perhaps you’d like to try layering a smaller antique rug over a jute area rug to add more texture to your space? Or maybe you want to display several smaller rugs instead?

Bond Products encourages you to use your imagination. Take your time in choosing a carpet or a remnant to rebind and display. You may have hardwood throughout your house and different rug uses for each room. Perhaps the best thing about area rugs is that they are so easily removed or put into rotation, so changing your rooms as the seasons change is suddenly possible.

Ready to Begin?

If you’ve been thinking about switching your carpet for a rug, what are you waiting for? Removing old carpet is the first step to a beautiful new floor. If you’re planning to install carpet, check out our wide range of carpet binding supplies, tapes, and tools. Need advice? Give us a call at 1-888-800-BOND—we’re here to help!

 

 

 

Previously, we discussed many of the practical uses for hook-and-loop tape around the house. There are countless DIY ideas and craft applications online for this versatile product. However, the home is not the only place where hook-and-loop tape can be useful.

In warehouses, workshops, and industrial spaces, hook-and-loop tape can improve organization, increase efficiency, and even help create a safer work environment. Here are some smart ways businesses use it every day.

Preventing Slip-and-Fall Accidents

One of the most common workplace hazards is the slip-and-fall accident. Rugs, runners, and floor mats that shift out of place can quickly become dangerous.

Hook-and-loop tape can be attached to floors to help secure rugs and carpets in place. It is strong enough to help stabilize turf and other floor coverings as well. Keeping flooring secure helps reduce trip hazards, worker injuries, and potential workers’ compensation claims.

Improving Warehouse Organization

Hook-and-loop tape is also useful for storage and organization. Empty space under desks, worktables, or shelves can be turned into valuable storage areas by securing tools or equipment underneath.

For example, hard drives, power strips, or smaller tools can be attached beneath tables to free up workspace for monitors, printers, or packing materials.

Hook-and-loop tape also works well for labeling shelves and storage bins. Unlike permanent labels, hook-and-loop-backed labels can be changed quickly whenever inventory or storage needs change.

Wall space can become storage space too. By attaching strips of hook-and-loop tape to walls or workstations, frequently used tools can remain visible, organized, and easy for workers to access.

Protecting Products and Reducing Waste

Warehouses regularly open boxes and pallets to inspect products against shipping lists. Often, shrink wrap gets removed and immediately thrown away.

Instead of discarding it, hook-and-loop tape can be used to reseal or secure wrapping for reuse. Hook-and-loop straps are also excellent for bundling products or securing items inside containers without relying on disposable plastic ties or additional shrink wrap.

Because hook-and-loop products are reusable, they help reduce waste while protecting products from dust, moisture, and pests.

Managing Cables and Securing Equipment

Loose cables are another common workplace hazard. Hook-and-loop tape can be used to bundle cords neatly together or secure them along walls and workstations to keep walkways clear.

It can also help stabilize stacked boxes, lightweight shelving, or temporary displays to reduce the risk of falling items and damaged inventory.

A Versatile Safety and Organization Tool

There is almost no limit to the ways hook-and-loop tape can improve a warehouse or workspace. It is flexible, reusable, easy to customize, and useful for everything from safety improvements to organization and product protection.

Bond Products offers a variety of hook-and-loop products in bulk for offices, warehouses, and industrial applications. If you need help choosing the right product for your operation, contact Bond Products today.

Are you thinking of investing in outdoor carpet? In the past decades your options for have multiplied exponentially. You’re no longer limited to artificial turf. Today’s outdoor carpet (or indoor/outdoor carpet) looks much like indoor carpet. The difference is that it’s made from olefin (polypropylene) fibers. This type of fiber is very moisture resistant, so it’s ideal for using outdoors in places that can get wet. It’s so “waterproof,” that this type of carpet actually floats.

Polypropylene is also stain, dirt, fade, and mildew resistant, although it can grow mildew or mold if it’s exposed to enough damp. However, Olefin is manufactured in such a way that a diluted solution of bleach in water can be used to clean it without bleaching the color from the fibers.

As with all carpets, the pile, backing, and grade differs according to its intended use. Outdoor carpets will most often have a rubber coating or marine backing rather than laminated jute or woven polypropylene because they need to stand up to different types of weather and harder use. They are much more durable now and will last many years with the right maintenance. Outdoor carpets are manufactured in both cut-and-loop and pile styles.

In terms of colors, today’s carpets are so much better than the green, gray, and blue carpet of the past. The Olefin fibers are manufactured with built-in stabilizers and dyed specifically to preserve color. They come plain or patterned and in a much larger spectrum of colors, including reds, golds, and browns.

Where do people used outdoor carpet? Wherever they need a tough, water-resistant choice. Marine carpet is used on boats, but it’s also used for 3-season porches or basements that get damp or wet. Many people have extended their decorating outdoors to their patios and porches or garages as well. Olefin carpets can be installed poolside because they are resistant to bleach. Carpeting around a pool can help reduce slipping.

Previously we’ve talked about how people are installing artificial turf to transform their backyards. Grass carpet is fade and stain resistant and will provide the appearance of a well kept lawn for years with a minimum of hassle or expense. It’s an excellent choice in the right situation.

Bond Products offers a variety of products to help people install their artificial turf or bind their polypropylene carpets into lovely indoor/outdoor rugs for use wherever they’re needed or wanted. If you’re looking for carpet products for either type of carpet – indoor or outdoor – call us today.

 

Braided rugs are a traditional American decorating choice with a great deal of versatility. Adding one to a room makes it both warmer and cozier. They can be hard to clean, though. They’re often made of dense wool, and dirt can get into their braided fibers. Here we’ll discuss braided rug care so that you can keep your rug looking great for many years of use. 

Dealing with Minor Stains on Braided Rugs

If your braided rug has a small localized stain, that’s a simpler fix. Spot clean the stain by combining water and white vinegar in equal parts and then soaking the stain. By scrubbing gently either by hand or with a toothbrush, many stains will come out without too much effort. 

Some braided rugs are lightweight and made of cotton. These you can throw into the washing machine on the gentle cycle. Dry them either in the dryer or hang them out to dry. Wool rugs are heavy and need special care, however. You can use a wool cleaning product or one of the foam carpet cleaners available on the market. Just make sure that the product you buy is safe for use on wool and carefully follow the instructions on the label. 

When you are done with any localized or spot cleaning, rinse the area with water, vacuum the rug, and allow it to dry completely. You do not want to leave a harsh chemical residue in your rug as it may damage the wool over time. 

More Extensive Braided Rug Care

If you want to get your braided rug really clean, you should take it outside. Wool can often absorb a great deal of dirt without looking dirty, and your vacuum may not be able to get it all out. So once or twice a year, take your braided rug outside and deep clean it. 

First, if the rug is small enough, shake it and beat it with a wooden spoon to get as much dirt out as possible. If the rug is larger, drape it over a fence or a patio railing and use a tennis racket or larger implement and hit it until the dirt stops shaking out. You may be surprised at what comes out. Wool can trap a lot in the spaces between its fibers. 

When you’re done beating it, you can spray it with a hose. Don’t use hot water on wool, as the heat can shrink it. The water will dissolve remaining dirt and pull it out. You may think this might damage the material, but wool is an animal product. It’s sheep fur, so it can survive water just fine. Wool has a natural waviness to it which is why it is a good insulator. It traps air. Unfortunately, it can also trap water in it if you do not fully dry it. 

After you’ve cleaned the carpet, air dry it in the sun. Exposing the rug to the sun and breeze will dry it faster which is important because you do not want the wool surface to grow mold or mildew. If you need to clean your braided rug when the weather is colder or wetter, you can steam clean it as well. Use a fan to help the drying process go more quickly. Wool does take a long time to dry. Turn the rug over and expose the other side to the fan too so the backing doesn’t grow mold. 

With the right care, your beautiful wool area rug can grace the floor of your home for years and years. Many wool rugs last for a century or more and are works of art. If you need rug backing products for your wool rugs or any other carpet products, please call us at Bond Products. We are always happy to help our customers find what they need to make their rugs and carpets look great. 

 

In our last blog we talked about how and why hook-and-loop tape came to be. Because hook-and-loop tape can be used to hold things firmly in place, this product has many, many applications that go beyond its traditional use as a fastener or zipper substitute. Here are some of them:

A different kind of rug lock – There are a number of ways to stop area rugs from slipping and causing accidents in your home, but hook-and-loop tape is another. Attach strips of loops to your floor and strips of hooks to your rug, and the rug will remain in place.

A remote butler – Do you have a problem finding your TV/cable box/DVR player remotes? Are they always going missing or falling in the cracks of your furniture? If you put a strip of hook-and-loop tape on the backs of your remotes and another in a place where you keep them, they can’t wander off when you’re not looking.

A cord organizer – Rubber bands and twist ties work fine as tools to help you keep TV or computer cords separate and untangled – until the rubber dries out and breaks or unless the twist ties are too short. You can cut dual-sided hook-and-loop tape to whatever length you need and expect it to work for however long you need it because it will not wear out, mold, or degrade.

Keep track of plush toys and stuffed animals – If your small children are forever losing their stuffed animals, you can attach a length of loop tape to the inside of a bag or a piece of cloth and use that to prevent them from getting misplaced.

Hold outdoor cushions and tableclothes fast – It can be a challenge to keep a tablecloth on an outdoor table, but a bright cloth can make all the difference to your outdoor decor. If you have a problem with the wind blowing your cushions or other cloth items away or out of place, hook-and-loop tape is an ideal solution.

Hang up pictures without using nails or masking tape – If you have light pictures or posters you’d like to display but do not want to damage your walls, hook-and-loop coins will allow you to do that easily. Is your kid going away to college or getting his first apartment? Throw some hook-and-loop tape in your bag for move-in day, and it may wind up sparing you expensive fees for nail holes or wall repair later.

There are so many more organizational and display uses for hook-and-loop tape and coins that your imagination is really the limit. Bond Products has many different options so please browse our selection to find the product that will best fit your needs.

We mentioned the beauty of wall hangings and their practical uses in an earlier post. Here we would like to highlight one of the most beautiful and mysterious tapestries ever created: The Hunt of the Unicorn. This is a series of seven tapestries, and their origin dates from between 1495 and 1505. In its entirety, it’s considered to be one of the greatest artworks in existence. Despite it fame, many mysteries persist about The Hunt of the Unicorn, including who designed it, where it was woven, and what its panels are intended to symbolise.

Woven with wool, silk, and metallic thread, there are 5 large pieces, one small piece, and one piece that survives only in fragments. Each large tapestry is 12 feet tall by 14 feet wide. The seven tapestries are:

• The Start of the Hunt
• The Unicorn at the Fountain
• The Unicorn Attacked
• The Unicorn Defending Himself
• The Unicorn is captured by the Virgin (in two fragments)
• The Unicorn Killed and Brought to the Castle
• The Unicorn in Captivity

Together, the tapestries tell a tale of noblemen who, with their huntsmen and hounds, pursue a unicorn through a beautiful forest. They track down the unicorn, capture it, take it to a castle, and kill it. In the final tapestry the unicorn is resurrected and shown resting in a garden enclosed by a circular fence.

Unicorns are, of course, magical, pure creatures, and unicorn lore was popular in the medieval period when the tapestry was made. They represented wisdom, immortality, lovers, and marriage. People believed that unicorns could heal wounds and purify water and that only a virgin could tame a unicorn. These themes are woven into the individual tapestries of The Hunt of the Unicorn. A virgin leads the unicorn into an enclosed rose garden where it is sacrificed.

There is entirely another meaning to these tapestries, however. The unicorn at the center of The Hunt of the Unicorn is also clearly meant to represent Jesus Christ, and the virgin is meant to be his mother, Mary. There are many clues hidden within images of the tapestries to indicate this. The unicorn is wounded on his right side, as was Christ. The unicorn is sacrificed and resurrected. In the final tapestry the unicorn sits in a beautiful garden paradise. The piece as a whole was clearly designed to be meaningful and relevant on two levels: both secular and religious. The people of this age would have understood both messages.

Scholars believe that The Hunt of the Unicorn was of French design and woven in Brussels, but more than that is unknown. The initials AE appear over and over in the tapestries, but who AE was, if AE was a person, is another mystery. For centuries they were owned by the La Rochefoucauld family of France. John D. Rockefeller purchased most of the set in 1922 and displayed them in his own house until he donated them to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1938 along with the missing pieces he had tracked down. The Met has housed The Hunt of the Unicorn since then in the Cloisters where they are on permanent display for the public to view (above image theirs).

The Hunt of the Unicorn shows the intersection of art and everyday objects, of the sacred and the secular in a very beautiful way. It’s art that serves as more than art, but a reminder of the Easter message as well.

Bond Products would like to invite you to join us at our 8th Annual Spring Open House on April 18, 2024. This event offers Bond customers the opportunity to learn carpet binding skills from our staff of professionals.

Bond’s 8th Annual Spring Open House

This event will be held at Bond Products location at 4511 Wayne Ave., Philadelphia from 8 AM until 3 PM. Tour our facilities and take advantage of our expertise. We will be offering free labor* on portable binder repairs. You pay for the parts, and we will get your portable binder up and running again. We will also be there to explain how to maintain and service your binder so that you won’t be stuck on a job with an inoperational one ever again.

There will be training all day on binding, serging, beveling, and fringing techniques, so if have an interest in learning or you’ve been waiting to bind or rebind a carpet you already have, come and see how it’s done. We will be showcasing all of our available options for carpet maintenance or restoration – and they are many!

In addition, Bond Products will be giving a 10% discount on all Bond equipment and supplies, and we will be doing trade evaluations on older equipment, if you are interested in trading up to a new binder with more capability.

Last, but certainly not least, there will be free food and beverages available. So bring your appetite as well as your interest and any equipment you need looked at to our state-of-the-art carpet workroom on April 18. For both DIYers and carpet professionals, this is a day that will be well worth your time.

Appointments are required to attend, so call us at 888-800-BOND ???? and make your appointment today!

Where are we located?

Bond Products, Inc.

4511 Wayne Ave.

Philadelphia, PA 19144

1-888-800-BOND (2663)

*Note: Free labor is limited to portable binders only, with a limit of two per customer. If you would like to take advantage of this service, please call ahead and make an appointment. 888-800-2663