What is the bias of a woven fabric?
Q: What is the bias of a woven fabric?
A: The bias of a woven fabric is at 45 degrees to its warp and weft threads.
Q: How many biases does a piece of woven fabric have?
A: Every piece of woven fabric has two biases, at right angles to each other.
Q: Which fabrics do not have a bias?
A: Fabrics which are not woven, such as felt, do not have a bias.
Q: How is woven fabric different when cut on the bias?
A: When cut on the bias, woven fabric is more elastic as well as more fluid in movement, compared to the on-grain direction.
Q: What is the "bias-cut" technique?
A: The "bias-cut" is a technique used by tailors and dress-makers for cutting cloth.
Q: What are the benefits of using the bias-cut technique?
A: The stretch in the bias (diagonal) direction of the fabric helps it accentuate body lines and curves and drape softly, making garments like skirts, dresses, and neckties hang more gracefully or cling to the figure.
Q: When was the bias-cut technique first prominent?
A: Bias-cut garments were prominent in haute couture clothes designed by Madeleine Vionnet in the 1920s, but it is still used often in both haute couture and high street clothing.
