The fabric’s warp is the tightly woven edge that runs along each side of a piece of fabric. The edges of quilting fabric can be seen at the top and bottom of the quilt, as well as on the quilts that have been sewn together.
The term “selvedge” is often used to refer to a fabric made from a single thread, such as cotton, linen, or cotton-polyester blends. However, the term can also be applied to fabrics made of multiple threads. For example, a silk-cotton blend fabric is called a “silk-spandex” blend because it is made up of silk and polyester fibers.
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What does selvage look like on fabric?
The selvage is what it is. Basically it is those narrow strips or border that runs down the length of the fabric edges. If you’re doing a hem, you’ll want to make sure that you have enough seam allowances for the amount of fabric you are going to be hemming.
For example, if you were to hem a pair of jeans and you wanted to add an inch or two to your hem allowance, then you would need an extra 1/2 inch of selvedge on each side.
What does cut on the selvage mean?
The selvage edge is depicted by the finished lengthwise edges of the fabric piece. These edges are used as a guide in the patterning process. This is the first time I have ever used the term “edge” to describe the edge of a piece of fabric.
I am not sure if this is a new term or if it has been around for a long time, but I thought it would be interesting to share it with you.
Why is the selvage important?
A selvage’s main purpose is to prevent unraveling or fraying, which makes a fabric stable and secure. Some fabrics have edges that are not perfect for aesthetic purposes. The selvage’s self-finished edge makes sure that the fraying won’t affect the rest of the fabric.
Should I always cut the selvage off?
In this example, the selvage edges of the fabric are printed, but not as often as in most batiks. Nevertheless, you should cut them off and not use them in your patchwork piecing. They don’t always press flat, and they often pucker and tighten when washed, meaning what they are sewn onto is not always the same as what you will see on your finished piece.
Is selvage lengthwise or crosswise?
The fabric is woven with threads going in different directions. The width of the thread is determined by the number of threads per inch of fabric. Fabric widths range from 1/8″ to 3/4″ and are measured from the center of a thread to the end of that thread.
For example, if the fabric is 1″ wide, the threads will be 1-1/2″ long, and if it is 2″, the length of each thread would be 2-2/3″. If you have a fabric that is too wide for your project, you can make it narrower by sewing the ends of your threads together.
Can I use the selvage as a hem?
The author suggests using a selvage in place of hem tape to finish a hem. Silk selvage is lightweight and won’t scratch the fabric, so I recommend it for this application. Sewing the hem of a button-down shirt is similar to hemming a shirt, except that you will need to use a sewing machine to sew the button down to the body of the shirt.
If you don’t already have a machine, you can purchase one at a thrift store or online. You will also need a seam ripper, needle, thread, and a fabric scraper to remove the excess material from the back of your shirt before you begin sewing.
