Ask Madelyn: Floating Selvedges

Hi Madelyn,

"Floating selvedge" means an extra thread on each side of the warp, in the reed but not through the heddles, right? Does it make a difference if I include these 2 threads with the warp? Should I expect problems using Tencel warp and a silk weft?

—Danyelle

Hi Danyelle!

You are correct that a floating selvedge is a warp thread on each side of the warp that goes through the reed but not through a heddle. You can include the floating selvedges with the rest of the warp on the warp beam. Or you can add them afterwards and suspend them over the back beam, each with a weight. They need to be weighted no matter what, since their take-up is less than the rest of the warp and they will get loose as you weave otherwise. I like to use a 3" S-hook. I hang it directly on a floating selvedge that is wound on the beam (the weight rests below the warp beam) or tie a lark's head (that slips out) to attach the weight to a floating selvedge that is not beamed. As you weave, make sure that the weft always goes around the floating selvedge on each side.

You should expect no problems with a Tencel warp!

—Madelyn