The World of Selvedges: Discover the Diversity of Selvedge Denim
Not all selvedge is created equal. Those who dive deep into the world of premium denim quickly realize that the iconic woven edge is just the beginning. Traditional weaving mills in Japan and around the world experiment with irregular yarns, special weaving techniques, and unique color combinations to create fabrics with unmistakable character. From extremely textured "slub" denim to colorful selvedge IDs – here you can learn about the fascinating variations available and which denim best suits your next project.
The selvedge ID is the colored thread woven directly into the white selvedge. It was originally introduced in the early 20th century to make it easier for jeans manufacturers to distinguish between fabric rolls from different weaving mills in the warehouse. Today, the ID is a true design statement and quality feature.
The selvedge ID is the colored thread woven directly into the white selvedge. It was originally introduced in the early 20th century to make it easier for jeans manufacturers to distinguish between fabric rolls from different weaving mills in the warehouse. Today, the ID is a true design statement and quality feature.
The "Redline" is an absolute classic and goes back to the historical fabrics that Cone Mills (a famous US weaving mill) produced exclusively for Levi's. The red thread was meant to distinguish the premium fabric from standard goods. Today, many weaving mills use the red line as a tribute to these golden ages of denim.
The "Redline" is an absolute classic and goes back to the historical fabrics that Cone Mills (a famous US weaving mill) produced exclusively for Levi's. The red thread was meant to distinguish the premium fabric from standard goods. Today, many weaving mills use the red line as a tribute to these golden ages of denim.
Absolutely! While red is the classic, you'll also find selvedges in blue, green, yellow, pink, or even with woven-in silver and gold threads. Some weavers use specific colors to indicate fabric weight (oz), while others use them to mark limited editions or special dyeing techniques. There are also completely white, clean selvedges without colored accents.
Absolutely! While red is the classic, you'll also find selvedges in blue, green, yellow, pink, or even with woven-in silver and gold threads. Some weavers use specific colors to indicate fabric weight (oz), while others use them to mark limited editions or special dyeing techniques. There are also completely white, clean selvedges without colored accents.
Yes, enormously. In addition to classic, very smooth and even weaves, there are also extremely textured fabrics. These include "Slub Denim" with its uneven, almost streaky surface, or "Hairy Denim", where the cotton fibers still protrude slightly from the fabric surface. These textures later create particularly dramatic and unique fade effects.
Yes, enormously. In addition to classic, very smooth and even weaves, there are also extremely textured fabrics. These include "Slub Denim" with its uneven, almost streaky surface, or "Hairy Denim", where the cotton fibers still protrude slightly from the fabric surface. These textures later create particularly dramatic and unique fade effects.
Hardly any other topic is surrounded by as many myths as washing raw and selvedge denim. From "never wash" to nightly ocean baths – the advice on the internet is endless. But how do you really care for the valuable fabric without ruining it, and how do you achieve those coveted, high-contrast fades? Here, we debunk the biggest myths and show you how your selvedge jeans or self-sewn masterpiece will stay in perfect shape for years to come.
Hardly any other topic is surrounded by as many myths as washing raw and selvedge denim. From "never wash" to nightly ocean baths – the advice on the internet is endless. But how do you really care for the valuable fabric without ruining it, and how do you achieve those coveted, high-contrast fades? Here, we debunk the biggest myths and show you how your selvedge jeans or self-sewn masterpiece will stay in perfect shape for years to come.