What is Selvedge Denim? The Secret of the True Selvedge
When it comes to high-quality jeans, the word "selvedge" will sooner or later come up. For many, it's the ultimate mark of quality, but what exactly does this term mean? Selvedge is not a brand or a specific cut, but rather refers to the way the fabric was woven. It's a return to traditional textile manufacturing, long before mass production dominated the fashion industry. Here we explain why this fabric holds such a fascination.
The term is derived from the English word "self-edge", which refers to the tightly woven, clean edge on both outer sides of a piece of fabric, which cannot fray and naturally finishes the fabric.
The term is derived from the English word "self-edge", which refers to the tightly woven, clean edge on both outer sides of a piece of fabric, which cannot fray and naturally finishes the fabric.
It is woven on traditional shuttle looms. In this ancient technique, the weft thread is continuously shot back and forth through the warp threads by a wooden shuttle. Since the thread is never cut at the sides, a closed, clean selvedge is created.
It is woven on traditional shuttle looms. In this ancient technique, the weft thread is continuously shot back and forth through the warp threads by a wooden shuttle. Since the thread is never cut at the sides, a closed, clean selvedge is created.
Not necessarily. "Selvedge" only describes the type of weaving (the closed edge). "Raw denim" means that the fabric has not been industrially pre-washed or artificially aged after dyeing and weaving. Most high-quality selvedge fabric is sold as raw denim, but there are also pre-washed jeans with a selvedge edge.
Not necessarily. "Selvedge" only describes the type of weaving (the closed edge). "Raw denim" means that the fabric has not been industrially pre-washed or artificially aged after dyeing and weaving. Most high-quality selvedge fabric is sold as raw denim, but there are also pre-washed jeans with a selvedge edge.
The easiest way is to roll up the trouser leg at the outer seam. If you see a cleanly finished edge there (often with a colored thread in the middle) and a straight seam, you have selvedge denim. If the edge is uneven and finished with a zigzag thread (overlock), it is modern standard denim.
The easiest way is to roll up the trouser leg at the outer seam. If you see a cleanly finished edge there (often with a colored thread in the middle) and a straight seam, you have selvedge denim. If the edge is uneven and finished with a zigzag thread (overlock), it is modern standard denim.
The old shuttle looms operate significantly slower and with lower thread tension than modern machines. This often makes the fabric denser, more durable, and with more character. Since the fabric is of higher quality and usually made from the best cotton, a selvedge pair of jeans, with proper care, will last for many years.
The old shuttle looms operate significantly slower and with lower thread tension than modern machines. This often makes the fabric denser, more durable, and with more character. Since the fabric is of higher quality and usually made from the best cotton, a selvedge pair of jeans, with proper care, will last for many years.
