A selvage (US English) or selvedge (British English) is a "self-finished" edge of a piece of fabric which keeps it from unraveling and fraying.[1][2] The term "self-finished" means that the edge does not require additional finishing work, such as hem or bias tape, to prevent fraying.
In woven fabric, selvages are the edges that run parallel to the warp (the longitudinal threads that run the entire length of the fabric), and are created by the weft thread looping back at the end of each row. In knitted fabrics, selvages are the unfinished yet structurally sound edges that were neither cast on nor bound off.[3][4] Historically, the term selvage applied only to loom woven fabric, though now can be applied to flat-knitted fabric.
The terms selvage and selvedge are a corruption of "self-edge", and have been in use since the 16th century.[5]
- ^ Ehrlich, Laura (2004). The complete idiot's guide to quilting illustrated. Alpha Books. p. 57. ISBN 1-59257-201-4. Retrieved July 9, 2009.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
institutewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Breiter, Barbara; Diven, Gail (2003). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Knitting and Crocheting Illustrated. Alpha Books. pp. 168–169. ISBN 1-59257-089-5. Retrieved July 9, 2009.
- ^ McCall's Editors (1968). McCall's Sewing Book. Random House. pp. 198, 224. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
- ^ "selvage". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)