crossgrained

Crossgrained, or cross-grained, is a term used to describe the orientation of fibers or grain in a material when they run perpendicular to the main axis of the piece. It is often discussed in contrast to long grain or warp direction. The concept also appears in textiles, where crossgrain refers to the orientation across the fabric’s width. The implications of a crossgrained arrangement depend on the material and application.

In wood, crossgrain describes a piece whose grain runs at an angle to its length rather than straight along it. This can affect how the wood responds to moisture, bending, and cutting, and may influence stability and strength in different directions. In plywood and laminated boards, veneers are commonly arranged so that successive layers have grain directions at or near 90 degrees to one another. This cross-grained layering improves dimensional stability and reduces warping and cupping by distributing movement and stress.

In textiles, crossgrain (the crosswise grain) runs across the fabric’s width and is perpendicular to the lengthwise grain (the warp). The grain direction influences drape, stretch, and pattern alignment. Cutting fabric on the crossgrain or on the bias (approximately 45 degrees to the grain) yields different behavior in drape and elasticity, which is important for garment construction and pattern matching.

Overall, crossgrained structures aim to balance mechanical properties and dimensional stability by orienting fibers or fibers’ directions across the principal axis of the material.