Shuttle Loom Denim provides US and Japanese raw selvage denim, constructed only through the use of shuttle looms.
Selvage denim (also called selvedge denim) is a type of denim which forms a clean natural edge that does not unravel. It is commonly presented in the unwashed or raw state. Typically, the selvage edges will be located along the out-seam of the pants, making it visible when cuffs are worn. Although selvage denim is not completely synonymous with unwashed denim, the presence of selvage typically implies that the denim used is a higher quality.
The word "selvage" comes from the phrase "self-edge", the natural edge of a roll of fabric. As applied to denim, it means that which is made on old-style shuttle looms. These looms weave fabric with one continuous cross thread (the weft) that is passed back and forth all the way down the length of the bolt. As the weft loops back into the edge of the denim it creates this “self-edge” or Selvage. Selvage is desirable because the edge can’t fray like lower grade denims that have separate wefts which leave an open edge that must be stitched. Shuttle looming is a more time-consuming weaving process that produces denim of a tighter weave resulting in a heavier weight fabric that lasts.
Shuttle Loom Denim primarily focuses on US-made Cone Denim. The Cone Mills have provided Levi Strauss with the highest quality denim for over 100 years. They continue to work with Levi's using the same quality standards and are currently the exclusive manufacturer for 501 denim fabric. Shuttle Loom Denim brings you the same quality, a wide selection, at an affordable price point.