How is pinstripe fabric made?

Question

I was just wondering how pinstripe fabric is made. I assume it's callled pinstripe since the needle is used in some fashion to create the stripes, but I was just wondering if anyone knew the specifics.

Answer 1

It's called pinstripe because the stripe is as narrow as a pin - a thread or so wide, in fact.  It's made by putting one or two contrast colour warp threads (the long ones that go down the length of the cloth) on the loom when setting it up.  The weft (or 'woof') threads going across the loom are then woven in and out, and the narrow stripe shows where the warp thread is exposed.