innfletting

Innfletting is a textile technique in which an element made from fabric or another material is inserted into a base fabric by weaving, stitching, or binding along its edges. The inserted piece is typically of contrasting color, texture, or material and becomes part of the surface or structure of the ground fabric. The term derives from the Norwegian elements inn- “in” and flette “to weave.”

Techniques used in innfletting include cut‑and‑insert weaving, where a patch is cut to shape and its edges are woven into the ground fabric; surface interlacing, where the piece is laid on the surface and secured by stitches along the border; and couching, in which a separate thread is used to anchor the inserted element. Variants may combine textiles with leather, ribbon, or metallic threads to create varied textures and visual effects.

Applications of innfletting span traditional embroidery, quiltmaking, upholstery, and fashion design, as well as decorative arts such as bookbinding and wall textiles. The technique allows for a range of aesthetics, from restrained, subtle motifs to bold, raised reliefs, depending on the materials and methods used.

Historically, innfletting appears in many textile traditions where designers sought to add contrast, reinforcement, or texture by integrating separate elements into a fabric surface. In contemporary textile art, it is used to explore mixed media and tactile expression.

See also: appliqué, embroidery, inlay, quilting, textile art.