Solution for an ugly tuck-in selvedge

[RockyR]

If it's Lochcarron Strome, then the 'good side' IS the twill running this direction: ////

If it's ANY OTHER kind of tartan fabric, then the twil should be going this direction: \\\

I spoke to Doug, the sales manager for Lochcarron, and he explained (in great detail) how they do their selvedge and that on their Strome (16 oz wool) fabric, the selvedge comes out backwards, but on every other line of their fabrics (Brareach, reiver, etc) and any other mill's fabric, they do it the 'regular' direction.

I've thought about using the shaver for that exact purpose... glad to see it worked! I'll have to go pick one up.

[Barb T]

If it's Lochcarron Strome, then the 'good side' IS the twill running this direction: ////

If it's ANY OTHER kind of tartan fabric, then the twil should be going this direction: \\\

The tartan in the photo isn't Lochcarron tartan, actually, and I've never seen this kind of horrible fringe on Lochcarron tartan (although maybe some of the rest of you have).

Just as another note, Lochcarron used to weave their fabric with the right side \\\\\\. When they switched to the tuck-in selvedge, they switched twill directions on their Strome for the right side of the fabric. I actually still try to use Lochcarron fabric with the \\\\\ as the right side. Sometimes this requires working their thread joins to the other side of the fabric. And the Lochcarron selvedge is pretty good on both sides, at least in the Strome pieces that I've used in the last few years.

[ChattanCat]

The tartan in the photo isn't Lochcarron tartan, actually, and I've never seen this kind of horrible fringe on Lochcarron tartan (although maybe some of the rest of you have).

Just as another note, Lochcarron used to weave their fabric with the right side \\\\\\. When they switched to the tuck-in selvedge, they switched twill directions on their Strome for the right side of the fabric. I actually still try to use Lochcarron fabric with the \\\\\ as the right side. Sometimes this requires working their thread joins to the other side of the fabric. And the Lochcarron selvedge is pretty good on both sides, at least in the Strome pieces that I've used in the last few years.

I have been perplexed with the selvage tuck in that I have seen on the Strome. On some of the selvage in needs to be this side but down the selvage the tuck in seems to reverse. All I can figure is that the material has fuzz that comes out the other side. I will try the //// option next time.

[Barb T]

I'll have to go pick one up.

Before I went out to buy mine, I Googled "fabric shavers" and found lots of different kinds. The only one I could find at our local stores, though, was a tiny, cheap, battery operated one with a really little head. I'd hate to have to take the pills off a whole sweater with it! But in retrospect, I'm glad it was the only one available, because I think the tiny head is a real advantage in shaving the selvedge fringe, because it only touches a small area of the fabric, particularly if you curve the fabric over your knee.

I have no idea how long it will last, but I don't expect to have to do this very often. FYI, it's an "Evercare" Fabric Shaver, and both our Walmart and our Target carry them in the aisle with the irons (took me awhile to locate them...).