Fabric Styles
PLAIN WEAVE
The plain weave is the simplest style. Yarns are interlaced in an
alternating fashion over and under every other yarn, providing
maximum fabric stability and equal strength in both the warp and
fill directions. The thinnest and lightest fabrics are achieved
through the plain weave.
CROWFOOT SATIN (4HS)
The crowfoot weave is achieved when one warp yarn weaves over three
and under one fill yarn. Crowfoot weaves offer more pliability and
drapability than plain weave fabrics.
SATIN WEAVES (5HS AND 8HS)
Satin weaves offer a very pliable fabric which readily conforms to intricate contours. The five harness satin (5HS) weave is produced by one warp yarn traveling over four and under one fill yarn. Similarly, the eight harness satin (8HS) weave is produced when the warp yarn goes over seven before going under one fill yarn.
 Satin Weave 5HS |
 Satin Weave 8HS |
BASKET
The basket weave is a variation of the plain weave. Instead of
single yarns going over and under each other, several warp and fill
yarns travel together (2X2, 4X4, 8X8). Visually the fabric looks
like a plain weave, but close inspection reveals that several yarns
are traveling side by side. Basket weaves produce coarser and
heavier fabrics than corresponding plain weaves.
TWILL
This weave is characterized by a diagonal rib or twill line on the face of the fabric.
Each warp yarn floats over at least two consecutive picks.
The twill weave yields a higher density fabric while maintaining stability.
UNIDIRECTIONAL
This fabric is produced when all warp (or fill) yarns are one type of fiber, for example, 3K graphite, while the other direction fibers are simply a locking glass. Up to 95% of the fiber volume is oriented along a single plane without the usual crimp of a regular weave.