rhizoverbBeta
DictionarybiasDiagonal fabric direction
noun

bias

A diagonal direction across the threads of woven fabric.

She cuts the silk on the bias for extra drape.

Etymology
biasFrenchslant; oblique direction

The French source names a slant or oblique direction. In fabric, the bias follows that diagonal across the threads instead of running along either main thread direction.

More examples

  • The skirt's bias cut gives it a flowing shape.
  • Stretch the strip gently along the bias.
  • The pattern places the seam across the fabric's bias.

Similar words

diagonal
Any oblique direction, without reference to fabric grain.
grain
The alignment of threads that the bias crosses.