Definition

Noun: 1. The self-finished edge of a woven fabric: The narrow, tightly woven border along both lengthwise sides of a piece of fabric, created during the weaving process to prevent the material from fraying or unraveling. It is often marked with the manufacturer's information. 2. An ornamental border on a rug or carpet: A decorative fringe or border, especially at the ends of an Oriental rug.

Usage

The word "selvage" is used primarily in the contexts of textiles, weaving, and sewing. It refers specifically to the factory-made, non-fraying edge of the cloth. It is a technical term but is common in sewing instructions and fabric descriptions.

Examples

• Noun (Fabric):
  • When cutting the fabric, be sure to cut along the inside of the selvage.
  • The pattern instructions tell you to align the pattern piece with the selvage edge.
  • The designer's name was printed on the selvage of the expensive silk.
• Noun (Carpet):
  • The antique Persian carpet had an intricate selvage at each end.

Advanced Usage

• "On the selvage": Referring to something located on or pertaining to this specific edge of the fabric.
  • The color codes are printed on the selvage.
• "Selvage-to-selvage": Describing the full width of the fabric from one finished edge to the other.
  • This pattern requires a selvage-to-selvage width of at least 45 inches.

Variants and Related Words

• Selvedge: An alternative, equally correct spelling of "selvage."
• Self-edge: A descriptive term sometimes used interchangeably with selvage, emphasizing that the edge is part of the fabric itself.
• List: A less common synonym, particularly in historical or technical weaving contexts.

Synonyms

• Edge (in the general sense of a border, but not specific to textiles)
• Border (for the ornamental meaning on carpets)
• Hem (a finished edge, but one created by sewing, not during weaving)

Related Phrases

• Cut on the selvage: An instruction to cut fabric parallel to the selvage edge, following the grain of the fabric.
• Trim the selvage: To cut off the selvage edge before sewing, often done because it can be less flexible or have printed text.

Idioms

• "To be on the selvage": While not a common idiom, in a metaphorical sense, it could imply being on the very edge or margin of something, similar to being on the fringe.

Noun

1. the edge of a fabric that is woven so that it will not ravel or fray
2. border consisting of an ornamental fringe at either end of an oriental carpet