Weftdominant

Weftdominant, sometimes written as weft-dominant, is an adjective used in textile science to describe a woven fabric in which the weft direction exerts greater influence on the fabric’s surface appearance and, in some cases, its mechanical behavior than the warp direction. This condition occurs when the weft yarns are more densely packed, thicker, or arranged so that they cover the fabric face more prominently than the warp yarns.

In practice, a weft-dominant fabric may present a weft-faced appearance, with visible weft yarns and comparatively less exposure of warp yarns on the fabric surface. The term is often contrasted with warp-dominant or warp-faced fabrics, where warp yarns largely determine the surface and texture.

Weft-dominance can arise from design choices, such as selecting colored or textured weft yarns to create surface decoration, or from the structural characteristics of certain weft-faced weave structures used in tapestry, upholstery, and some rug constructions. The property can influence drape, texture, and stiffness since the weft contributes most to the surface behavior of the fabric.

Determining whether a fabric is weft-dominant is typically done by examining weave structure, relative yarn counts and densities, and the proportion of surface coverage contributed by each direction (the cover factor). The term is descriptive and its exact meaning can vary by context, but it serves as a useful shorthand in fabric analysis and design.