Density Design
Density of warp and weft yarns arranged in the loom determines the structural tightness of the raw woven linen fabric. Weaving technicians specify the loom sett before mounting the warp beam on the loom to establish the thread count per unit of width. This configuration defines the number of reed dents and the thread distribution used during the weaving process.
Supervisors record these specifications on the loom card before production begins.
Weave Structure
Tension on the yarn during weaving can temporarily mask the true density of the finished fabric. Designers analyze the loom sett to predict how the raw linen will shrink during the subsequent bleaching and scouring cycles. While flax farmers grade the raw straw for length, weavers depend on this setting to achieve the exact GSM required by the buyer’s specification sheet.
Setting the reed density incorrectly results in fabric that does not meet the commercial standard.
Operational Control
Changing the reed or adjusting the pick wheel modifies the number of threads per inch in the fabric. Weavers check the density of the cloth using a counting glass during the first few meters of a run. Consistent density ensures uniform fabric strength across the entire batch.
