selvedge
SEL-vij
/ˈsɛl.vɪdʒ/
The tightly woven self-finished edge of a fabric roll that prevents unravelling during weaving.
In premium denim and tailoring, selvedge indicates fabric woven on traditional shuttle looms with crisp, clean edges.
The story behind the word. Formed in late Middle English as a compound of 'self' and 'edge' (literally 'self-edge'). It described the border woven by the return of the weft thread, which finished itself without needing a hem.
Word relationships
- self-edge: 'Self-edge' is the direct descriptive compound term from which selvedge historically developed.
- cut edge: A cut edge is scissor-trimmed fabric with exposed raw warp threads prone to unraveling.
Commonly confused with
- hem: A hem is a manually folded and stitched edge; a selvedge is created automatically on the loom.
Collocations
- selvedge denim
- selvedge edge
- raw selvedge
- shuttle loom selvedge
Example sentences
- "Denim enthusiasts value selvedge jeans because the crisp woven border along the outer leg seam resists fraying." Denim manufacture
- "When placing pattern pieces, line up the grainline arrow parallel to the fabric's selvedge edge." Fabric cutting
Memory hook
SELVEDGE = SELF-EDGE formed by the loom itself. The woven border that won't fray.
When not to use
Do not confuse with a sewn hem; a selvedge is produced naturally during fabric weaving on the loom.
Fun facts
- Vintage shuttle looms produce a distinct red or white thread signature along the selvedge edge, prized by denim collectors.
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