19 Different Types of Weave Patterns (How Many Are There?)
Like the many different types of fabrics, there are categories and sub-categories of weave patterns. And if you search the internet for this topic, you will find that not everyone agrees on the total number. That is just the way it goes as everyone focuses on different patterns, styles, and looks to get their total.
We are saying there are 19 because there are only 3 real types of weave patterns and each type has several weave sub-categories within its realm. We do not want to miss one but we bet there are more than 19 in total. New ones keep popping up every year.
To learn more about the different weave patterns, just continue to read our article. It explores the issue for you giving you as many different types as possible. Not every weave type will work with every known fiber but it will be close.
Fabric Weave Patterns 101
How Many Types of Weaves Are There?
This can be hard to calculate as you have to take into account that many weave patterns have nothing to do with fabrics. Some deal in hairstyles and they p[op up when you search for weave patterns and their number.
Then, since the fabric world is divided into knitting, sewing, crocheting, and other sub-categories, there will be different weave styles for each. Couple that problem with the fact that not everyone agrees on how many weave patterns there actually are, you have a difficult time determining the exact count.
Some people say there are 3, others will say that there are 5, 7, 13, and even 20. We are using 19 just to be safe and not leave any pattern out. But to help end the confusion, there are 3 basic weave patterns and everything else is a sub-weave that is a variation of the three basic ones.
Even the dobby weave is similar to the jacquard weave pattern so you will see that classification of weaves depends a lot on the differences of designs, size of designs, and other factors and not so much as introducing a new weave pattern to the world.
So if you come up with 10, you are still going to be okay and not making a giant error anywhere. If you stop at three, the same attitude applies, just be flexible and open-minded enough to agree to disagree with those who say otherwise.
What Are The 3 Basic Types of Weaving?
As we mentioned, there are 3 basic weave patterns in existence today. All the rest are a variation of those patterns and add a little twist to make the different fabrics interesting. What follows are descriptions of those 3 basic patterns:
1. plain weave- this is the simplest weave pattern you can make. All that is involved in constructing a piece of fabric using this technique is the ability to weave 1 warp thread with 1 weft thread. Then continue doing that until the fabric is completed.
The technique just alternates each type of thread until the fabric is large enough. You will find that most cotton materials and chintzes are made using this style. Some synthetic fibers, like Olefin, are woven in this manner as well. This weave pattern is strong and allows for versatility as well as the blending of the fibers.
2. Twill weave- to identify this weave pattern, simply look for the diagonal lines. Instead of using just one warp thread, 2 are used alternating with 1 weft thread. To change the look of the twill weave, you just change the number of warp and weft threads you are using.
When talking about changing the number of warp threads and weft ones, keep the ratio at 2 to 1. For example, you can use 4 warp and 2 weft threads, 6 warp and 3 wefts as well as 8 warp and 4 weft threads. What makes this weave pattern popular is that it is durable and has been associated with different wool fabrics over the centuries.
3. Satin weave- what makes this weave pattern different is that it usually uses thicker or larger surface yarns. That size of yarn helps the fabric to be smoother and provides a more luxurious feel to them. The yarn has to be smooth and luxurious as well.
What creates the smooth texture is the floating of 5 warp or weft threads floated over 5 of the other type of thread. There is also no diagonal weaving involved when making fabric using this option.
Complex Weave
This option can be defined by the way the threads are woven together. Simple plain weaves usually only alternate one or two warp threads with one or two weft threads and so on. The weave design is simple and you usually do not get any complicated or intricate designs out of that weave style.
Complex weaves are a lot more complicated and involved. The designs are complicated, intricate, and can be time-consuming to create. If you are doing it by hand. Also, the number of threads involved goes up adding to the difficulty of weaving the threads together.
Some complex weave patterns are the jacquard, multiple plane, the pile, the dobby, the inlaid, and the gauze or leno weave patterns. While dobby is listed here it is also a simplistic version of the jacquard and not as complex as that latter style of weaving.
Brocade can be added to that list as it is a version of the jacquard style of weaving. The same goes for the brocatelle weave pattern. It is a jacquard variation. We are sure you can add more styles to that list and this link may help you find those different styles and which of the complex weaves they belong to.
Fabric Weave or Texture
Actually, the weave style will add texture. As is the case with the dobby weave option. It can work with different thicknesses creating a thicker texture in some places over others. It is all due to the weave method and not just the texture of the yarn.
Then the size and quality of the thread or yarn also determine the texture of the fabric. If the thread is of low quality, then do not expect to have a high-quality texture when you finish making the fabric.
This is why some weave patterns and fabrics are itchier than others, smoother than others, and softer than others. It all depends on how they were woven and if the fibers used were top quality or not.
When you are talking texture, you are describing how the fabric looks and feels when it is finished with the weaving process. If the threads used were made from silk, then you are going to have a soft, silky, and smooth texture while some wools will be itchy, rough, and not as soft as silk.
Some wools will be softer than cotton but again, that is due to the quality of the fibers and how those fibers were woven. The same applies to synthetic and in-between fibers.
Types of Fabric Weave List
We will start with the shortest list we have uncovered so far and as we put the list here, you will notice that they did not include twill (the first 6 comprise that list). We will add more from longer lists to make sure they are all included.
That link above provided more but most of them are a variation of the styles listed here.
- plain
- rib
- basket
- satin
- pile
- jacquard- needs a special loom to do this weave style
- dobby- needs a special attachment to do this weave pattern
- twill
- dutch
- soumak - may be for knitting
- rya knots- same for this style
- chevron
- herringbone or the broken twill weave
- diamond
- finger - actually done when you do not have a loom handy
- tapestry
- rug
- saori - comes from Japan and is a freestyle by hand
- tablet or card weaving
- sateen
- oxford
- bedford cord
- waffle
- crepe
- lappet
- striped
- checquered
- double cloth
As you can see there are a lot more than 19 on this list. That is because people will count the sub-categories as categories and place them on their list. If you want to get more details about how each weave patter is done just click here and here.
Types of Decorative Weaves
This will actually depend on your definition of decorative. Those people who like simple designs will view even plain weaves as decorative at times. Then no tall decorative weaves are that attractive as beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
To make the fabric look attractive it is not usually the weave style but the type of colors of threads used and the type of shape one wants to see in their fabric.
For complex designs, one turns to jacquard to get very decorative fabrics. The intricacy that can be done by this weave style is hard to match. Even the dobby weave style does not come close and that style provides simple yet very attractive geometric shapes to its materials.
Pique, one not mentioned above, is another weave style that can be decorative as can brocade and brocatelle. Another weave pattern not mentioned above is damask, It is said to be decorative and tasteful.
The overall look of these decorative weave styles depends a lot on the color of the threads and the theme of the designs. Damask doesn't look good to everyone although it does have a great decorative look.
A tapestry weave style can be very decorative and beautiful. With the right thread colors, the look of the exquisite design is enhanced and makes the fabric stand out from other samples.
What makes this weave look so good is when the right fill threads are chosen to complement the other threads creating the outline of the shapes. Swivel weaves can look good even though their designs go along the simplistic side of things.
Then some twill designs are quite decorative in a simple way. Decorative doesn't always have to be complex or complicated. It can be something as simple as the right threads woven together in a plain weave.
Everything depends on who is doing the looking like two people looking at the same decorative design and weave pattern will walk away with 2 different opinions. One may like it and say it is very decorative while the other will disagree.
Fabric Weave Structure
The structure of any weave pattern or design depends on how the warp and weft threads are woven together. If they are interwoven by a master, then the structure of the fabric is going to be durable, exquisite, and great to look at.
Plus, the fabric will be very durable, decorative, and usually tightly woven. On the other hand, if a novice or a beginner tries to do the same weave pattern and use the same weave style, their fabrics may not look as good as mistakes were made and the structure will not be as sound like the one made by the master.
There are only 3 basic weave structures you can use. We talked about them earlier and under those three categories, you will find many variations. For example, the twill weave structure usually is made with wool or similar fibers.
But denim is a twill weave also and has a different structure than say a twill woven jacket made from wool. The plain weave pattern will have the best structure of all three simply because the warp and the weft threads have the most contact with each other.
Also, since the weave is the same, both the front and the back of the fabric have the same structure. On the other hand, the satin weave pattern has a great look to it but since it drapes really well, it is more prone to snagging and tearing than the other two weave patterns. The structure is not that good with this option.
The sateen variation may have the same problem with a weak structure even though it is made with a weft-faced thread instead of the warp-faced one used in making satin fabrics.
Each variation will have a slightly different structure to it depending on how many warp and weft threads are used and how they are interwoven together.
How to Weave Fabric
The good news is that if you are not handy or do not have the time, you do not have to worry about weaving. There are already many machines and companies that will do the job for you. All you have to do is go to the store and get the fabric you like and go home.
Also, there are a lot of good tutorials available online to help you if you want to learn another skill and add to your many talents. What we will write here is just the beginning of learning how to weave and not a comprehensive guide that gives you every little detail that comes from experience.
There are several ways to weave. You can weave threads and create your own fabrics from scratch or you can use fabric to do your weaving. Those are just two of the ways that you can weave.
What follows are the basics about weaving without telling you what you already know. One tip before we get started is that you should choose a thread that is easy to handle. This helps you to create a very nice finished piece of fabric.
Another tip is that the tighter you place the threads the heavier and thicker your finished project will be. Also, a tight weave creates a better quality finished product. A loose weave, while easier to do, gives you a lesser quality finished product.
The loom makes weaving a lot easier and if you do not have one, then you should consider getting one before you get started. you should enjoy weaving a lot more if you do.
There are 4 main parts to weaving:
1. Shedding- this is where the warp threads are raised up and put on the loom. If you are using a modern loom, this task is done for you. Shedding is important because it allows the warp threads to be in the proper position to accept filling threads.
2. Picking- this is where the shuttle inserts the filling thread into the correct place and position.
3. Battening- this is where the loom’s reed battens the individual threads against the already formed fabric. This takes place after the filling yarn is in position.
4. Taking up - after a section of the fabric has been completed, it must be taken up and wound around the beam. This allows you to continue weaving without having to deal with the finished fabric getting in your way.
This is not as complicated as it sounds and once you get the hang of it, you should be able to weave like a pro in no time. Don’t let any errors or mistakes discourage you. They will happen and as you can experience, you will learn how to avoid those mistakes.
The key to weaving is to start with the simplest fabric form, weaving plain cloth. Once you master that technique, you can move on to more complicated weave styles and projects. It is one step at a time. Build your confidence and skill first so you don’t end up discouraged and quit.
Common Types Found in Plain Weave Style
By common, we mean that you have already heard of these fabrics and may not know that they were put together by using a plain weave pattern. Here is a little list of those fabrics:
1. Flannel- it is a loose weave fabric and it can be made using either the plain or the twill weave styles.
2. Chiffon- light, airy, and sheer. It may look sophisticated but it comes from the plain weave family. It uses all textile fibers.
3. Organdy- made with cotton fibers it too is a sheer fabric that works well with curtains, wedding gowns, and aprons.
4. Muslin- this is also a loose weave fabric making it perfect for those regions of the world that have hot climates year-round.
5. Buckram- this fabric comes in both loose and tight weave styles and you can find it in baseball caps. It is a stiff, coarse material.
6. Cheesecloth- as the name says, this material is a plain weave and used to make cheese. The loose weave lets liquid strain through the fibers.
7. Poplin- this fabric uses sharp warp threads and coarse weft ones. it too is light, airy, and has a nice drape to it.
8. Chambray- the unique quality this plain-woven fabric has is that the weft threads are left undyed while the warp ones get an indigo dye color
9. Velvet- made on a double cloth loom its fibers can be woven in any of the three styles and uses an extra warp thread to get a soft feel
10 Taffeta- the fabric is stiffer than other plain weave materials because its fibers are twisted as they are woven
11 Organza- another sheer material that doesn’t need complicated weaving styles. Originally made from silk
Some Final Words
While you are buying different fabric styles, those fabrics are made using three basic weave styles- plain, twill, and satin. There are variations of those styles that create great fabric looks and designs.
The key to all of this is to pick those fabrics you like and those that fit your sewing or knitting project. You do not need to worry so much about the weave style as some, like dobby, are hard to identify.
