An alternative finish for a four selvedge weaving, which makes a more even, but more visible, edge involves weaving a few passes of a thicker warp before you begin the weaving and when you end the weaving (Figure 1). Once the weaving is removed from the loom these additional passes are removed one by one and each loop of the warp is passed through the neighboring loop to form a chain (Figure 2). The final loop is secured by passing one of the remaining edge warps of the four selvedge warping through the loop and back into the weaving. Secure the last bit of weft at the end of the weaving through the top last loop and back into the weaving. Note that this works best if the last weft pass ends on the edge where the last warp loop will be. The chained loops allow for adjusting if, when you finish the weaving, the warp loops are not all the same length. (Figure 3). It is also advantageous to use colored warps so that the loops blend into the weaving.
Click on images to enlarge.
(left) Figure 1. (center) Figure 2. (right) Figure 3.
(left) Sample for “Could these be Purple Martins?” 4″ x 3.5.” Looking closely at the right edge of the tapestry shows that the standard four selvedge finish used has produced an uneven edge.
(right) “Small taxi tunic,” 4” x 4.” The warp finishing on this tapestry is alternative four selvedge finish, which produces a much more even edge, again, on the right.