TextileGlossary.com

What is "Woven Fabric" - Definition & Explanation
Last Updated on: 06-May-2023 (6 months, 27 days ago)
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The Tapestry of Woven Fabric: History, Types, and Applications


Woven Fabric: Unveiling the Art of Interlacing Threads

Woven fabric is an ancient textile technique that has been perfected over centuries, resulting in versatile and durable fabrics used in various applications. Through the meticulous interlacing of warp and weft threads, woven fabrics offer a range of textures, patterns, and strengths that have made them a cornerstone of the textile industry.

A Brief History of Woven Fabric

The art of weaving dates back thousands of years, with evidence of woven fabrics found in ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China. These early fabrics were woven by hand using basic looms and natural fibers like cotton, linen, and silk. As technology advanced, mechanized looms were developed during the Industrial Revolution, revolutionizing the production of woven fabrics and enabling mass production.

Types of Woven Fabric

  • Cotton: Soft and breathable, cotton woven fabric is widely used in apparel, home textiles, and quilting.
  • Linen: Made from flax fibers, linen woven fabric is known for its natural texture, moisture-wicking properties, and durability.
  • Silk: Luxurious and lustrous, silk woven fabric is prized for its smooth feel and elegant drape, making it popular in high-end fashion.
  • Wool: Warm and insulating, wool woven fabric is commonly used in cold-weather garments and upholstery.
  • Polyester: Polyester woven fabric offers durability, wrinkle resistance, and a wide range of colors and patterns.

Tips for Handling Woven Fabric

  • Pre-Washing: It is recommended to pre-wash woven fabric before cutting and sewing to account for any shrinkage.
  • Cutting: Use sharp fabric scissors or a rotary cutter to ensure clean and precise cuts without fraying the fabric.
  • Seam Finishes: Depending on the fabric type, consider using appropriate seam finishes like serging or zigzag stitching to prevent fraying.
  • Pressing: Use a pressing cloth and appropriate heat settings when ironing woven fabric to avoid damage or shine.
  • Storage: Store woven fabric in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture, to preserve its quality.

Key International Manufacturers and Users

  • Brooks Brothers: Known for their timeless menswear, Brooks Brothers utilizes high-quality woven fabrics in their tailored garments.
  • Liberty Fabrics: Renowned for their intricate and vibrant prints, Liberty Fabrics incorporates woven fabrics in their iconic designs.
  • Armani: The Armani fashion house showcases woven fabrics in their luxurious and sophisticated collections.
  • Maharam: Maharam specializes in woven textiles for upholstery and interior design, offering innovative and high-performance fabrics.
  • Tartan Weaving Mill: Located in Scotland, Tartan Weaving Mill produces traditional tartan fabrics using time-honored weaving techniques.

Applications of Woven Fabric

  • Apparel: Woven fabrics are widely used in garments such as shirts, dresses, pants, and suits, offering comfort, durability, and a wide range of styles.
  • Home Textiles: Woven fabrics find applications in various home textile products like curtains, upholstery, bedding, and table linens.
  • Accessories: Bags, belts, ties, and hats often feature woven fabrics, adding texture and visual interest to accessories.
  • Industrial Uses: Woven fabrics are utilized in industrial sectors for applications like automotive interiors, filtration, and geotextiles.

In conclusion, woven fabric is a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of textile production. From ancient handloom weavers to modern manufacturing processes, woven fabrics continue to adorn our lives with their beauty, versatility, and functionality.


Woven Fabric
Fabrics composed of two sets of yarns. One set of yarns, the warp, runs along the length of the fabric. The other set of yarns, the fill or weft, is perpendicular to the warp. Woven fabrics are held together by weaving the warp and the fill yarns over and under each other.
Woven
A woven is a cloth formed by weaving. It only stretches in the bias directions (between the warp and weft directions), unless the threads are elastic. Woven cloth usually frays at the edges, unless measures are taken to counter this, such as the use of pinking shears or hemming.Most cloth in use is woven.
Woven
A fabric composed of two sets of yarns and formed by weaving, which is the interlacing of these sets. By using various combinations of the three basic weaves (plain, twill and satin), it is possible to produce an almost unlimited variety of constructions.
Woven
Made or constructed by interlacing threads or strips of material or other elements into a whole; "woven fabrics"; "woven baskets"; "the incidents woven into the story"; "folk songs woven into a symphony"
Woven
Woven fabrics are produced by the interlacing of yarns. Each filling yarn goes alternately over and under each warp yarn.

Some other terms

Some more terms:

A shuttle in weaving is a device used with a loom that is thrown or passed back and forth between the threads of the warp in order to weave in the weft or woof. Shuttles are often made of flowering...
A tough medium to heavyweight coarsely woven plain weave fabric, usually made of a cotton or cotton/poly blend. Lower grades of the unfinished fabric are used for such industrial purposes as bags,...
Machine Woven refers to a method of producing fabrics using automated looms or weaving machines. It is a process where yarns are interlaced to create a textile material, offering a wide range of...
The term "Broken Pick" is commonly used in the textile industry to describe a specific type of defect that occurs during the weaving process. When a broken pick occurs, it means that the weft yarn,...
Referring to the arrangement or character of the yarns on the surface of the fabric. Often used to describe fabrics with surface interest the result of using novelty yarns or novelty weaves such as...

Add a definition

Add a definition for a textile term that you know about! Send us an email & tell us:
  • The term you want to define
  • Its definition in 500 words or less
  • Attach an image if necessary.
  • Optionally, tell us about yourself in 200 words or less!

Companies for Woven Fabric:

If you manufacture, distribute or otherwise deal in Woven Fabric, please fill your company details below so that we can list your company for FREE! Send us the following details:
  • Company name
  • Company address
  • Attach a logo, if necessary.
  • Optionally, tell us about yourself in 200 words or less!

(s) 2023 TextileGlossary.com Some rights reserved. • Sitemap