Selvage

[1][2] The term "self-finished" means that the edge does not require additional finishing work, such as hem or bias tape, to prevent fraying.

In knitted fabrics, selvages are the unfinished yet structurally sound edges that were neither cast on nor bound off.

[clarification needed] Different types of selvages are as follows: In textile terminology, threads that run the length of the fabric (longitudinally) are warp ends.

Descriptions woven into the selvage using special jacquards, colored or fancy threads may be incorporated for identification purposes.

To prevent fraying, various selvage motions (or "styles") are used to bind the warp into the body of the cloth.

Selvages are created to protect the fabric during weaving and subsequent processing (i.e. burnishing, dyeing and washing) but ideally should not detract from the finished cloth via ripples, contractions or waviness.

[7] Selvages on machine-woven fabric often have little holes along their length, through the thick part (see stenter pins), and can also have some fringe.

The selvage is then created by a heat cutter which trims the thread at both ends close to the edge of the cloth, and then it is beaten into place.

Selvages in knitting can either bear a special pattern worked into the first and last stitches or simply be the edge of the fabric.

It also makes it easier to pick up stitches later,[3][13] and is a good basis for crocheting a further decorative edge.

A piece of curtain fabric showing its selvedge, i.e. the self-finished edge in the foreground
Black and red patterned wool shawl; the long edges are selvedges and the short edges are knotted fringe. c. 1820s . From the collection of Conner Prairie .
Warp and weft in a plain tabby weave , showing how the reversals of the weft create the selvages on each side. See weaving for other weave pattens.
Part of a sheet of postage stamps from Australia showing selvage at the bottom