Selvedge
The firm edge of a woven cloth, made by the weft turning back at the side so that it cannot fray.
Also: selvage, self-edge
On a loom the weft thread travels from one side to the other and turns back at the edge. That turn locks the outermost warp threads and forms a finished edge that does not unravel. This self-finished edge is the selvedge. In a saree the selvedges run along the two long sides, and the border is woven next to them. A good selvedge is straight and even, and it tells a buyer how carefully the cloth was woven. Cloth cut from a wider piece has no selvedge on the cut sides and must be hemmed.