Diving Deep into the Textile Process: The Intricacies of Picking
The process of creating textiles is a carefully choreographed dance that transforms raw materials into finished fabric. One pivotal step in this process is picking. The term "picking" in the context of textiles refers to the process of inserting the weft yarn into the warp threads on a loom to create cloth. This intricate operation is a fundamental element of weaving, one of humanity's oldest crafts.
The origin of picking harks back to the dawn of civilization. Early looms were rudimentary, with the picking process carried out manually. As civilization advanced, so did the technology of looms, from the invention of the foot-treadle loom in the Middle Ages, to the flying shuttle in the 18th century which mechanized the picking process. Today, modern looms perform picking at rapid rates, significantly increasing textile production efficiency.
Key Players in the Picking Scene
Applications of Picking in Textiles
The textile industry's landscape has been profoundly shaped by the evolution of picking technology. The transformation from manual to mechanized picking has paralleled the broader industrialization journey, reflecting humanity's relentless pursuit of efficiency and progress. Today, picking stands at the intersection of tradition and technology, contributing to the diverse array of fabrics that clothe us, comfort us, and enrich our surroundings.
However, the future beckons with new challenges and opportunities. With increasing emphasis on sustainability, there is a need for picking technologies that are energy-efficient and reduce wastage. Further, as we venture into the era of smart textiles, picking processes may need to adapt to accommodate novel materials and desired functionalities. Thus, while picking may be a process steeply rooted in history, its future promises to be a dynamic voyage of discovery and innovation, shaping the very fabric of our lives.
b) The rectification of the face and the back of a carpet after manufacture, including insertion of missing tufts, replacement of incorrect ones and repair of broken yarns in the backing (local mending).
c) A process carried out before the final stage of fabric finishing to remove, by hand, any contamination (such as kemp (see kemp fibres), wrong fibre, coloured hair, etc.) that has not been removed by previous processing.
NOTE:
This process is carried out in particular during the finishing of suitings, face-finished fabrics and cream or off-white fabrics.