A balanced fabric is one in which the ''warp'' and the ''weft'' are of the same size. In weaving, these are generally called "balanced plain weaves" or just "balanced weaves", while in embroidery the term "even-weave" is more common.

Balanced plain weave

A balanced plain weave is a fabric in which the

warp Warp, warped or warping may refer to: Arts and entertainment Books and comics * WaRP Graphics, an alternative comics publisher * ''Warp'' (First Comics), comic book series published by First Comics based on the play ''Warp!'' * Warp (comics), a ...

threads and the weft threads are equally spaced, and are identical or similar in size. In addition to the same sett, the yarn is the same in the warp and weft. The term can be used for a

tabby weave Plain weave (also called tabby weave, linen weave or taffeta weave) is the most basic of three fundamental types of textile weaving, weaves (along with satin weave and twill). It is strong and hard-wearing, and is used for fashion and furnishin ...

or a basketweave. Balanced weaves have also been called "50/50 plain webs", and are a subset of plain weaves. Unbalanced weaves, in which warp and weft differ in size, may be either ''warp-dominant'' or ''weft-dominant'' fabrics. The primary advantage of balanced weaves is that they are potentially stronger than other basic weaves.

Even-weave

An even-weave fabric or

canvas Canvas is an extremely durable plain-woven fabric used for making sails, tents, marquees, backpacks, shelters, as a support for oil painting and for other items for which sturdiness is required, as well as in such fashion objects as handbags ...

, a term mostly used in embroidery, is any textile where the

and weft

thread Thread may refer to: Objects * Thread (yarn), a kind of thin yarn used for sewing ** Thread (unit of measurement), a cotton yarn measure * Screw thread, a helical ridge on a cylindrical fastener Arts and entertainment * ''Thread'' (film), 2016 ...

s are of the same size. Even-weave fabrics include even-weave aida cloth,

linen Linen () is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant. Linen is very strong, absorbent, and dries faster than cotton. Because of these properties, linen is comfortable to wear in hot weather and is valued for use in garments. It also ...

, and needlepoint canvas. These fabrics are typically required as foundations for counted-thread embroidery styles such as

blackwork Blackwork, sometimes historically termed Spanish blackwork, is a form of embroidery generally worked in black thread, although other colours are also used on occasion, as in scarletwork, where the embroidery is worked in red thread. Originating ...

, cross-stitch, and needlepoint, so that a stitch of the same "count" (that is, crossing the same number of fabric threads) will be the same length whether it crosses warp or weft threads.

Balanced plain weave

Even-weave

References

Bibliography

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