Day 13 of 21
Craft of Cloth · Weave math · Reading the cloth
Selvedge, Picks & Reed Count
Day 13 of 21. Three small things tell you a cloth's quality before you even know its name — the edge, the thread density, and how fine the loom was.
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Today's Lesson Begins
Three numbers that tell you everything about a woven cloth
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READING THE CLOTH
Day 13 · Week 2
Selvedge, Picks & Reed Count
Learn to read the edge, the density, and the loom.
The Idea
Three words let you read any woven cloth.
Selvedge is the finished edge that runs down both long sides of the cloth, where the width-thread turns back. A clean, tight selvedge means careful weaving; a frayed or taped edge often means the cloth was cut from a wider powerloom roll. Picks per inch is how many width-threads are packed into one inch — more picks means denser, usually finer cloth. Reed count is how fine the loom's comb is — it decides how many length-threads sit in an inch. Higher numbers in all three usually mean a finer, denser, better-made cloth.
Quick test: fold the cloth and look at the long edge. A neat, self-finished selvedge means it was woven to width. A cut-and-stitched or fraying edge means it was cut from a wider roll.
The depth ladder
Thread density (picks per inch)
More width-threads packed into an inch makes a denser, and usually finer, cloth.
Picks per inch
Light passes through easily
Low PPI
Everyday cotton
Medium
Tight, holds its shape
High PPI
Fine shirting, fine saree
Finest
More picks per inch · denser and usually finer cloth
Side by side
Four numbers that read a cloth
You will see these on quality tags and weaver notes. Here is what each one is measuring.
📏
Selvedge
Mark
The finished long edge
Clean = woven to width
The edge
🧮
Picks / inch
Mark
Width-threads per inch
Higher = denser cloth
Density
🪡
Reed count
Mark
How fine the loom comb is
Sets the length-threads
Fineness
🔢
Ends / inch
Mark
Length-threads per inch
Read with picks for the full count
The pair
In a customer DM
How to explain it
When she asks "how do I know this is good quality cotton?"
Teach her three quick checks she can do herself — then she trusts the cloth, and she trusts you.
"Three things I always check, ma'am. One — the edge runs clean down both sides without fraying. Two — the threads are packed tight, so light does not pass through easily. Three — the cloth feels even, not patchy. Those three tell you it was woven with care. Want me to send a close-up of the edge so you can see it?"
Today's anchor: Selvedge is the edge — clean means woven to width. Picks per inch is the density — more is denser. Reed count is the loom's fineness. Higher numbers in all three usually mean a better cloth. Three numbers, and you can read any weave.
Day 13 Quiz · 3 Questions
Answer to mark your attendance
Weave math. Get all three right and you stay in the running for the top-3 craft gift.
Question 1
What is the selvedge?
A
The price label
B
The finished edge running down both long sides of the cloth
C
The design in the centre
D
The dye colour
Question 2
What does a higher picks-per-inch usually mean?
A
A cheaper cloth
B
More width-threads packed in — denser, usually finer cloth
C
A printed cloth
D
A shorter saree
Question 3
A customer asks "how do I know this cotton is good quality?"
A
"Three quick checks: the edge runs clean down both sides without fraying, the threads are packed tight so light does not pass through easily, and the cloth feels even, not patchy. I can send a close-up of the edge."
B
"Trust me, it is the best."
C
"It is the most expensive one."
D
"It is imported."
WhatsApp Number
+91
Same number you used on Day 1 — your ranking and Craft Depth certificate go here.
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