Definition

The tightly woven edge of a piece of fabric produced on a loom, which doesn't fray; from 'self-edge,' it's the finished border that runs parallel to the warp threads.

Example Usage

The tailor trimmed away the selvage before cutting the pattern, using the marked edge as a guide for grain alignment.

Origin

From Middle English self-edge: self + edge, literally the 'self-made' or finished edge of woven cloth.

Fun Fact

Collectors and artisan weavers highly prize selvage, especially vintage or Japanese denim selvage, which has become a hallmark of quality and authenticity in premium textiles.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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