flatwoven

Flatwoven refers to textiles produced on a loom in which the warp and weft interlace to form a flat, even surface with little or no pile. This distinguishes flatwoven fabrics from knotted, tufted, or pile textiles, where the surface is raised into a texture. Flatweave techniques produce fabrics that lie in a single plane when finished and are often durable and portable.

The construction typically uses plain weave or its close variants, and certain specialties employ interlacing wefts to create patterns without knots. A well-known form is the kilim, a flatwoven rug or textile made by interlacing colored wefts with the warp to create geometric patterns and color bands without pile. Other flatweaves include tapestry and certain upholstery and ceremonial textiles, where motifs are created through color changes and binding techniques rather than pile.

Materials used in flatweave work range from traditional wool and cotton to linen and silk, with modern examples incorporating synthetics or blends. Flatweave fabrics are valued for durability, ease of care, light weight, and the ability to be produced in wide widths or irregular shapes. They are common as floor coverings, wall hangings, upholstery, bags, and mats, and have strong historical associations with nomadic and rural weaving communities around the world.

Conservation and study treat flatweaves as an important category for understanding regional craft, trade networks, and material techniques. Museums often classify textiles by weave type, with flatwoven items distinguished from pile fabrics and knotted carpets.