TYPES OF WEAVE

PLAIN/LINEN

The plain weave, or linen weave as it is also called, is the simplest of all types of weave. Here, the threads are woven together one after the other. This weave is one of the strongest weaves, as the threads are constantly crossing over each other.

• 

• 

POPLIN

Poplin weave is an unbalanced plain weave in which two weft-threads and one warp-thread of the same colour cross each other. As weft threads are more than the warp thread there is a ridge on the weft thread creating a ribbed weave.

• 

• 

OXFORD

The Oxford weave is a variation of the plain weave. Here two threads simply run parallel – i.e. two horizontal weft threads cross over two vertical warp threads. This gives more structure to the fabric.

• 

• 

TWILL

The Twill weave creates a diagonal pattern in the fabric. Depending on which technique is used in the weave, the diagonal pattern will get different pitches, and you can thus find Twill material with different patterns. This type is also the most commonly-used weave for denim. Here one of the threads is white and the other coloured, which is what gives denim its characteristic appearance.

• 

• 

HERRINGBONE

The herringbone weave is a variation of the twill weave. The threads are woven so that a herringbone pattern appears in the fabric. Just as with twill weaves, a herringbone weave has countless variations, which give different appearances to the fabric.

• 

• 

DOBBY

A dobby weave is usually an advanced design, which is used to create a particular texture in the fabric. Dobby weaves often comprise several different thicknesses of yarn and weave techniques, e.g. small twill edges on a plain weave or a zigzag pattern.

• 

• 

FLANNEL

A unique brushed technique makes this weave soft to the point of plushness. Cozy and warm, flannel weaves are commonly used in cold weather clothing, blankets, bed sheets, and pajamas. Flannel is often made of cotton but can also be made of wool or synthetic fibers.

• 

SATIN

Contrary to popular opinion, satin is a type of weave and not a fibre. With its unique satin-like weave, sateen is the most luxurious of all cotton fabrics. This dense fabric gives off a subtle sheen that is elegant to the eye and silky smooth to the touch. The sateen weave is wrinkle-resistant and drapes beautifullyThe satin weave gives the fabric an especially shiny surface, which is often associated with exclusive fabrics.

• 

VELVET

Velvet is characterised by its soft surface. It is the small threads sticking up out of the fabric that gives it its soft ‘pile’ or surface. The fabric is woven and then cut apart so that the soft pile emerges. There are many variations of velvet. For example ribbed velvet (such as corduroy), where the soft surface lies in ridges. These ridges can vary in width and are separated by an area where the material has not been cut apart.

• 

•