Warp and weft

See Web Embedding Fonts Tool for the dynamic web fonts utility.

Warp and weft in plain weaving

In weaving, weft or woof is the yarn which is drawn through the warp yarns to create a fabric. In North America, it is sometimes referred to as the "fill" or the "filling yarn".

The weft is a thread or yarn of spun fibre. The original fibre was wool, flax or cotton. Nowadays, many synthetic fibres are used in weaving. Because the weft does not have to be stretched in the way that the warp is, it can generally be less strong.

The weft is threaded through the warp using a shuttle. Hand looms were the original weaver's tool, with the shuttle being threaded through alternately raised warps by hand. Inventions during the 18th century spurred the Industrial Revolution, and the hand loom became the more robust spinning frame with the flying shuttle speeding up production of cloth, and then the water frame using water power to automate the weaving process. The power loom followed in the 19th century, when steam power was harnessed.

In modern usage, weft is a hairdressing term for temporary hair extensions which are glued into a person's hair.

Etymology

The words woof and weft derive ultimately from the Old English word wefan, to weave.

Metaphorical use

The expression "woof and warp" (or "warp and woof") is sometimes used metaphorically as one might similarly use "fabric"; e.g., "the warp and woof of a student's life" means "the fabric of a student's life." The expression is used as a metaphor for the underlying structure on which something is built.

Other cultures

In India, the weft is referred to as "baana", which is derived from another Hindi word "bun na" or "bunai" which means making with threads or strings, as is done in cane weaving and other forms of primitive weaving techniques.