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Who is Southwest Looms?
Southwest Looms is an American, family-owned and operated wholesale company with over 200 years of collective experience in high-end, handmade carpets. We offer eight specialty rug collections featuring unique, niche designs.
How are your rugs made?
Southwest Looms oversees every step of the rug-making process—from initial design and selection of colors, materials, and construction to weaving, finishing, inspection, importing, and distribution.
Are your rugs handmade?
Yes. Our rugs are meticulously handmade using hand-knotted, hand-tufted, or hand-woven techniques.
Where are your rugs from?
Seven of our collections are manufactured in India, while one collection is made in Northern Afghanistan.
Are rugs typically in stock?
Yes. All of our designs are available in multiple sizes and are stocked in our Durham, NC warehouse for prompt fulfillment. We offer daily drop shipping to ensure timely delivery.
What if my order is out of stock?
If a rug is temporarily unavailable, we will inform you when the next piece is expected and allow you to place a back order. We receive approximately four sea container shipments per year. Clients may choose to reserve a piece from an upcoming shipment or select expedited air delivery directly from India to your store or customer.
Can I order a rug in a custom size?
Yes. Custom rugs are available, with production time varying depending on weave and size. At the time of order, we provide an estimated completion timeline and a CAD for approval. A 50% deposit is required, with the balance plus shipping due upon delivery. Custom rugs typically take two to eight months, so advance planning is recommended.
How do I open a Trade Account?
Click here to register for a trade account.
How do I become a Stocking Dealer?
To qualify, an account must meet the buy-in requirements for specific collection(s) and maintain a representative selection of products in-store. Stocking Dealers receive referral status, meaning inquiries from their geographic region are directed to them. Our national advertising program encourages customers to “call for a dealer near you.”
Do you sell to interior designers?
Yes. We offer preferred pricing to our interior design partners.
Do you work on hospitality projects?
Yes. Each hospitality project is unique, and we work closely with accounts on a case-by-case basis to provide optimal value, customization, and delivery timelines.
Catalogs
Printed and digital catalogs are available upon request.
Website Images
Our website images are color-corrected to show the most accurate representation possible. Variations in monitor calibration may affect on-screen colors. Additional photography or physical samples are available upon request.
Samples
Southwest collections are sampled in 12″ x 18″ sizes to demonstrate color and construction; the Arts & Crafts collection is sampled in 2′ x 3′ sizes. Samples are loaned to trade partners; clients are responsible for shipping. A fee of $150 is applied for unreturned samples. Stocking Dealers may receive full sample sets for the collections they carry.
Digital Images
High-resolution product images, including room scenes, are available upon request and may be used for advertising, social media, and websites with permission from Southwest Looms.
Rug Pads
We offer high quality rug pads, custom cut to fit your purchase.
How are your rugs shipped?
Orders ship via UPS Ground unless otherwise requested. Oversize packages are shipped via truck.
How quickly do orders ship?
In-stock items are processed and shipped within two business days, with delivery expected within 7–10 business days. If an order is delayed, we will notify you via email and track the shipment until it arrives.
Can you use my UPS account number?
Yes.
Do you accept returns?
Yes. We offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If you are not satisfied with an item, contact us within 15 days of delivery to obtain a return authorization. There is no restocking fee; however, outbound and return shipping charges apply. To receive a full refund, the rug must be returned in new, clean condition, free of pet hair, dirt, or damage.
How should I package a return?
Please wrap the rug in its original packaging if it is intact, seal all openings securely with packing tape, and purchase shipping insurance. Rugs damaged in transit cannot be refunded, though we will assist with filing an insurance claim. Items returned dirty or damaged due to insufficient packaging may not qualify for a full refund.
What should I do if my rug is damaged?
Inspect all packages carefully upon arrival and note visible damage with the delivery driver. Do not open a damaged package, as carriers require photos for claims. You may refuse delivery if the package is damaged, and it will be returned to us. All damage must be reported immediately, as carriers allow only a limited timeframe for claims (typically 10 business days). Failure to report on time may make you responsible for the cost of the item, less shipping.
International Shipping
Many of our rugs can be shipped internationally. Please contact us with the delivery address for a prompt quote including shipping, duties, and taxes.
What is a hand-knotted rug?
Hand-knotted rugs (Pendleton Reserve, Santa Fe, Arts & Crafts, and Afghan collections) are premium, artisan-made pieces created by tying individual knots onto the warp threads of an upright loom. This labor-intensive process produces a rug of exceptional durability that can last a lifetime with proper care. These rugs can also be professionally washed as needed.
A 9′ x 12′ rug in one of our collections contains between 850,000 and 1,000,000 hand-tied knots. Weaving a rug of this size takes approximately 1,100 hours. The finishing process—including washing, blocking, shearing the pile to an even height, and wrapping the selvedge—adds an additional 300 hours. By the time the rug reaches a retail dealer, as many as 150 artisans may have contributed to its creation.
What is a hand-tufted rug?
Hand-tufted rugs (Pendleton Classic collection) are made using a hand-held tufting gun to insert yarn into a cotton canvas. Once the pile is in place, latex is applied to secure the yarn, and a durable fabric backing is attached. The pile is sheared low to enhance the clarity of the design. Hand-tufting is much faster than hand-knotting, resulting in a more accessible price point.
These rugs typically have a shorter lifespan and should be surface cleaned only, as moisture can break down the latex over time.
What is a hand-woven rug?
Hand-woven rugs (Pendleton Tierra, Dreamcatcher, and Naturals collections) have no pile. They are woven on a loom using a warp-sharing technique, in which different colors overlap on a single warp strand to create a subtle sawtooth effect. The result is a reversible rug with the same design on both the front and back.
Our Dreamcatcher and Naturals collections feature corner tassels and a whipstitched edge finish. Flatweave rugs are durable and are best used with a rug pad to keep them in place and provide additional cushioning.
Size Variation in Hand-Knotted Rugs
Each hand-knotted rug is individually woven by a team of artisans, making every piece unique. As a result, actual dimensions may vary slightly from the standard listed size. For example, an 8′ x 10′ rug may measure approximately 7’9″ x 10’2″. Size variations are typically limited to a few inches in each direction. Please consult your sales representative if you have specific size requirements.
Design Variation
Rug designs are scaled to the size of each rug. Larger rugs often feature wider, more intricate borders and additional repeats of the central design compared to smaller rugs.
Color Change Within a Rug
Color variation within a rug, known as “abrash,” occurs naturally due to slight differences in dye lots of the wool. Abrash can appear as a subtle variation of color across an area or, in more pronounced cases, as a noticeable shift from light to dark.
What is the difference between handspun and machine-spun wool?
Handspun wool has a varying diameter along its length, which absorbs dye unevenly and produces a “nubby” or textured appearance in the finished rug. This natural variation creates subtle color gradations that cannot be replicated with machine-spun wool.
Machine-spun wool has a consistent diameter, absorbs dye evenly, and results in a uniform color and smooth finish.
