- The plain weave is variously known as “calico” or “tabby” weave
- It is the simplest of all weaves having a repeat size of 2
Characteristics
(i) It has the maximum number of binding points
(ii) The threads interlace on alternate order of 1 up and 1 down.
(iii) The thread density is limited
(iv) Cloth thickness and mass per unit area are limited
(v) It produces a relatively stronger fabric that is obtained by any other simple combination of threads,
excepting that of “gauze”or “cross weaving”
Principle of construction - interlacement of any two continuous threads either warp or weft in an
exactly contrary manner to each other, with every thread in each series passing alternately under and
over consecutive threads of other series interlaces uniformly throughout the fabric
By this plan of interlacement, every thread in each series interlaces with every thread in the other
series to the maximum extent, thereby producing a comparatively firm and strong texture of cloth
TEXTURAL STABILITY OF PLAIN WEAVE IN RELATION TO OTHER WEAVES
- The firmness of any woven structure depends on the frequency of interlacing between the warp and
- weft threads
- The greater the number of intersections the better will be the firmness of the cloth
- Let us consider the case of two fabrics woven with identical warp and weft counts and thread settings
- Consider - one is woven as plain weave and other - weave such as twill, sateen, ..
- It will be seen that the latter will be less firm, and therefore of weaker texture than the former,
because the threads composing it would be bent in a lesser degree than those of the plain weave, thereby
causing them to be less firmly compacted
