Dobby Fabrics

 It is made on a special machine known as a dobby loom. These looms have been around a long time, first appearing in 1843. They are a floor standing loom that uses something called a dobby. This is believed to be a corruption of the term ‘draw boy’ and refers to a weaver’s helper who controlled the warp threads. The dobby is the alternative of the treadle loom. The modern version of the loom is a computerised affair that can create an almost unlimited range of sequences.Dobby fabrics have a great variation and a large number of uses. It can be woven with fine yarns to make dress shirts. Thicker or fluffier yarns can are also used for home furnishing material such as curtains and sofas. It is made with cotton but also other fibres such as rayon or silk.One of the most famous weaving styles that has come from the dobby loom and is therefore a dobby fabric is pique. This is the fabric with raised parallel cords or sometimes a fine ribbing effect. It is similar to twill cotton and is sometimes known as Marcella.