Warp and Weft and Why and Why Not
Lauren Mills·October 04, 2020
Does it matter which way the fabric's warp and weft threads go when doing a counted cross stitch project?
In weaving, warp threads run up-and-down while weft threads run side-to-side. The selvage runs up-and-down, in the same direction as the warp threads.
Some people recommend stitching on a project so that the warp threads go from top to bottom, with the selvage at the side. If a finished project is to be suspended from the top, such as a bell pull, it could make a difference.
Do the warp and weft directions generally affect counted cross stitch? There are strong opinions on both sides of the issue. If you notice a difference, then do what works best.
If you want to determine the warp and weft on a piece of linen that has no selvage:
- Remove a thread from each direction. The warp thread will be straighter and the weft thread will be wavier.
- If the fabric is square, remove a thread from each direction. The shorter thread is the warp and the longer thread is the weft.
- Lightly stretch the fabric. The warp threads won't stretch as much as the weft threads.
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Categories
- Backstitching
- beading
- beads
- cleaning
- evenweave
- fabric
- floss
- Fractional Stitches
- framing
- French Knots
- hoop
- hoops
- knots
- linen
- location
- magnifiers
- magnifying lamps
- matting
- mounting
- needle
- needles
- q-snaps
- scroll bars
- signing
- silk gauze
- skein
- skin color
- stains
- stitching over one
- stitching the x
- storing
- strand
- stretcher bars
- thread
- Thread Length
- threads
- Tweeding
- twists
- Variegated Floss
- Waste Canvas