Materials & Techniques

Technique in which a set of undifferentiated elements is stretched and interworked. Adjacent elements are crossed twisted around each other, simultaneously producing two mirror-image structures, one pushed to each end of the fabric. When the fabric is completed, it may be secured in the center by&nb

The process of twisting together and drawing out massed short fibers into a continuous strand.

The edge of a fabric where the elements of one set reverse direction around the elements of the opposite set. Most woven fabrics have weft (side) selvedges (selvages) parallel to the warp direction. Many Andean textiles woven on indigenous looms have warp (ends) selvedges as well.

In weaving, when the weft elements outnumber and hide the warp element.

A weave in which designs are formed by the warp. Usually the warp is more closely set than the weft in such cases. A great variety of such weaves are found in Peruvian textiles.

A weave with floats of consistent length in diagonal alignment.

In weaving, sword refers to a blade-shaped wooden implement that is used to help open the shed, to hold the shed open while the weft is inserted, and to beat the weft.

A warp-faced twill weave with a weft interlacing order of over two, under one (or vice versa), with the direction of the diagonal changing after every second weft, on a horizontal axis (horizontal herringbone), and with the face of the weave turned after every third (or fifth) weft yarn, creating a design of horizontal bands.

European-style loom in which the warp yarns are separated for the passage of the weft by depressing foot pedals or treadles.

A weft-faced plain weave with discontinuous weft elements forming color areas.