Chapter I: Preface

IN treating of carpet manufacture, which involves the employment of looms and other machinery of a complicated nature, I was confronted with the problem, how far it was necessary or desirable to explain and illustrate mechanical devices. Upon consideration, it seemed advisable, having regard to the scope of the book, to avoid as far as possible both descriptions and diagrams of a mechanical nature. A certain standard of mechanical intelligence is assumed in the reader; but this work, like the rest of the series, is intended for the layman; and it is impossible to describe and explain detailed mechanical movements except at considerable length and with the aid of elaborate diagrams. Those who wish to study the technique of the subject in detail are referred to Mr. Fred Bradbury’s book, _Carpet Manufacture_ (F. King & Sons, Ltd., Halifax, 1904), which, though it has not been brought up to date, is a classic for the trade, as all experts are aware. I am indebted to him for the use of several blocks.

I have also to acknowledge the courtesy of the Gresham Publishing Co., Ltd., of Chandos Street, Covent Garden, for permission to use a number of blocks from their _Textile Industries_, which contains some admirable chapters on Carpet Manufacture.

My thanks are further due to _The Times_ for permission to utilise some contributions I made to their “Textile Supplement,” published in 1913; while I have received information and helpful criticism from Messrs. Woodward, Grosvenor & Co., Ltd., Messrs. T. & A. Naylor, Ltd., The Victoria Carpet Co., not to mention colleagues and foremen of my own Company, Brintons Limited.

For the historical chapter I am indebted to Mr. A. C. Parry, and for particulars of Carpet Trades Unions to Mr. E. Stradling, Mr. Ellis Crowther, and Mr. T. Lindsay.

I am conscious of the possibility of errors and omissions, and I should be grateful for any intimation of such, with the view of making the necessary corrections, if a further edition should be required.

R. S. BRINTON.

CROFT HOUSE,
KIDDERMINSTER,
1919.

CONTENTS

CHAP. PAGE
PREFACE iii
I. HISTORY 1
II. MATERIALS 9
III. DYEING 13
IV. HAND-MADE CARPETS 20
V. BRUSSELS CARPETS 29
VI. WILTON CARPETS 44
VII. AXMINSTER CARPETS 49
VIII. CHENILLE CARPETS 63
IX. TAPESTRY CARPETS 71
X. INGRAIN CARPETS 86
XI. DESIGN AND COLOUR 92
XII. STATISTICS 104
XIII. EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYED 107
XIV. CONCLUSION 119
INDEX 123

ILLUSTRATIONS

FIG. PAGE
BRITISH FINE WILTON CARPET _Frontispiece_

1. TURKISH, KNOT 21
2. LONGITUDINAL SECTION THROUGH HEALDS, 33
HARNESS, SLEY, AND FABRIC
3. SECTION OF FIVE-FRAME BRUSSELS CARPET 35
4. SECTION OF THREE-FRAME BRUSSELS CARPET 36
5. AND 5A. CHLIDEMA SQUARE 41
6. SECTION OF FIVE-FRAME WILTON 45
7. SECTION OF IMPERIAL AXMINSTER—3-SHOT 51
8. SECTION OF AXMINSTER—3-SHOT 52
9. SECTIONS OF AXMINSTER WEAVES 53
10. TUFTING MECHANISM 55
11. CHENILLE DESIGN PAPER CUT UP 64
12. CHENILLE CLOTH 65
13. TRANSVERSE SECTION SHOWING FUR INSERTED 65
14. SECTION OF CHENILLE AXMINSTER 67
15. DESIGN OF TAPESTRY CARPET 72
16. DESIGN IN FIG. 15 ELONGATED AS PRINTED 73
17. PRINTING DRUM 76
18. SCALE AND DESIGN BOARD COMBINED 78
19. A SCRAPER 80
20. PRINTED THREADS SET FOR WINDING ON TO 81
THE BEAM
21. FIG. 20 AS WOVEN 82
22. STRUCTURE OF TAPESTRY CARPET 82
23. MEDIUM TAPESTRY CARPET 83
24. TAPESTRY VELVET—3-SHOT 83
25. TAPESTRY VELVET 84
26. TAPESTRY VELVET—2 SHOTS IN THE GROUND 84
27. TWO-PLY IN WARP AND WEFT 86
28. TWO-PLY WARP AND WEFT 88
29. THREE-PLY WARP AND TWO-PLY WEFT 88
30. THREE-PLY WARP AND WEFT 89

CARPETS