Weaving Basics

Weaving is a very old art form, but is now being practiced by both men and women all over the world. Before, the technique was only done by hand, but newer tools and methods made it readily available to make very intricate and beautiful designs with smoother lines and better quality. Weaving and spinning shops are also available in many places, including online. You can learn the methods and become a master if you devote enough time and effort.

Weaving Description

Weaving is known as a textile art wherein 2 unique sets of threads or yarns, referred to as the warp and the filling or older woof, are interlaced together to make cloth or fabric. The warp threads will go lengthways of the cloth piece, while the weft will run across from one side to the next. Cloth is woven on a loom. The loom is a material that holds the warp threads together while the threads are woven through it. Weft means "that which is woven", which is a old English term.

The Approach

The manner wherein the filling threads and the warp interlace together is called the weave. The 3 simple weaves are called satin weave, plain weave and twill. The most of all the woven products are made with one of the weaves. Woven cloth can be plain, appearing in just one pattern or color, or woven in artistic and very intricate styles, like tapestries. The ikat is the fabric wherein the weft and warp is tie-dyed just before weaving.

Ancient Art

Handweaving is a very old art, together with hand spinning. Today, there are still some individuals who practice the traditional methods. The most of commercial fabrics that come from the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom are woven on Jacquard looms managed by computers. In the past, simpler fabrics were woven using dobby looms, while the adaptation of the Jacquard harness is reserved for more sophisticated patterns. A number of people believe in the efficiency of the Jacquard loom. They say that the weaving process used by the Jacquard loom is more economical for mills, so that all the fabrics can be woven quickly and in the best condition possible, regardless of the sophistication of the structure.

About the Process

Weaving involves interlacing a couple of thread sets at right angles to one another. The two sets are called the weft and the warp. The warp are held very firmly and in a parallel pattern, via a loom. The loom is also dressed or warped using the warp threads going through heddles on a couple or more harnesses. The weft thread is wound onto spools also known as bobbins.

The Unique Structures

The bobbins are put inside a shuttle that will support the weft thread through the shed. Different weave structures can be created by the raising and lowering of warp threads. Some of the weaves you can expect include plain weave, twill weave, complex computer-generated interlacing and satin weave.

The weft and warp can be seen in the final results. If you space the warp closely, you can fully cover the weft binding it, providing a warp-looking textile like the rep weave.