ALL ABOUT DENIM
In the most basic terms, denim came from the French phrase serge de Nimes (serge from nimes). Nimes was the third largest industrial city in France thanks to its textile industry. Looking at the phrase de Nimes, it can be apparent where the word Denim may have derived from. The original fabric exported from Nimes was a twill weave fabric being a mixture of wool and silk.
Twill fabrics have a distinct difference between the right side of the fabric and wrong side. Often the darker colored fabric is the front called the wale and the light side is the back. Twill is a versatile fabric weave created by offsetting warp threads. It is very durable hence the method used in denim and other durable fabric that was used pre 20th century for the working class.
The warp is the lengthwise threads on the fabric loom. These threads are held stationary. The warp lies parallel with the selvage or edge of the fabric. The warp threads are the support network for the weft. In the photo below, the warp are the white threads.
In the most basic terms, denim came from the French phrase serge de Nimes (serge from nimes). Nimes was the third largest industrial city in France thanks to its textile industry. Looking at the phrase de Nimes, it can be apparent where the word Denim may have derived from. The original fabric exported from Nimes was a twill weave fabric being a mixture of wool and silk.
Get Danny Lashing’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
Twill fabrics have a distinct difference between the right side of the fabric and wrong side. Often the darker colored fabric is the front called the wale and the light side is the back. Twill is a versatile fabric weave created by offsetting warp threads. It is very durable hence the method used in denim and other durable fabric that was used pre 20th century for the working class.
The warp is the lengthwise threads on the fabric loom. These threads are held stationary. The warp lies parallel with the selvage or edge of the fabric. The warp threads are the support network for the weft. In the photo below, the warp are the white threads.
Don’t forget to follow us to read more posts about our adventures!
