Hello to you all, as you can see this is my first post ,but as a carpet fitter and carpet repairer who cleans carpets, thought I might throw my two peneth in for what it is worth.Most axminster carpets and wiltons will not stretch on the width only on the length .Length is invariably the longest area as most carpets come in 4mtre widths (unless it is the old ax or wiltons which can come in 39 inch widths) if you walk into a room and see a very long carpet over 4mtres one way the chances are it is the other side which is the width this is the side you should pay special attention to for fixings.Because the width is not pliable ie the backing wont bend, most fitters will not tuck one (sometimes both sides) of the widths between the gripper and skirting as they will lay off of it therefore they will just push the backing onto the gripper giving it a tap with the kicker to get it to bite into the gripper pins and sometimes even pin it hence the reason a side may be loose ,but the length will stretch a great deal and will be tucked at the ends.The point I am making (sorry to beat around the bush)is a fitter will find it very difficult to stretch the width when first fitted or if it has been shrunk not only because there is no give because of the backing ,but if the carpet is patterned and it is stretched it can distort the pattern whereas in the length it wont matter so much ,so if the carpet has shrunk find out if it is the length or width as this will make a lot of difference to the fitter ,if all round good luck.One thing I will point out though ,is ax and wiltons should be fitted onto extra wide gripper or even two lots especially at ends where perhaps patio doors etc are , as when originally fitted they should ideally be fitted with a power stretcher , which is a lot of tension and normal gripper could be pulled out especially on a concrete floor,a carpet will then become over time warmer central heating sunshine etc will be walked on therefore making it more pliable and a good fitter should always come back out and restretch it as a matter of course.These carpets edges should always be inspected for fitting and gripper, especially width and if loose tell customer ,run hammer over top of carpet and gripper to get gripper pins to bite into carpet again buy some carpet gimps (pins )tack hammer and pin the carpet onto the gripperods doesnt take long and after a while will become second nature when coming across these carpets.Appologies if I am preaching to the converted and you know already .