Grain Line, Straight of Grain, Cross Grain…

So what is the/a Grain Line?

The Grain Line refers to the way the fabric is woven on the loom.
This also refers to the way we handle the fabric, determine the top and bottom, and how the fabric should be cut.
Technically speaking when you hear with the grain, it is meant to working parallel along the longest threads.
Threads going the full length of the fabric would be the grain, also known as the warp.
The cross grain or weft threads are the ones going back and forth, woven in and out of the warp.
Together this warp and weft make up the north to south and east to west running ones in a standard piece of woven material.
The back and forth of the weft creates the solid edge of our woven fabrics, known as the selvedge.
If we take it a step further and go from corner to corner. We are now running along the bias, as pictured to our right.
The gain line on a paper pattern indicates directional placement of the pattern.
The first location is on the fold, another will be a designated arrow on the pattern.
This arrow matches up exactly parallel to the selvedge edge of the material. This allows the material to hang and drape correctly.
It is also important to note that when lining anything the grain lines of the lining should be taken into consideration as well.
Garments, home decor and quilts all rely on you knowing the straight of grain of the fabric with which you are working.
You are now one step closer to being a savvy sewer!

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