Understanding the Role of Sett in Tapestry Weaving
- Liz Whiteside
- Nov 8, 2025
- 4 min read
Tapestry weaving is such a beautiful blend of art and technique — a dance between creativity and craft. One element that often slips under the radar, yet makes a world of difference, is the sett. Understanding sett can feel a little confusing at first (we’ve all been there!), but once it clicks, it opens up so many possibilities in your weaving. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your skills, learning about sett will help you weave with confidence and joy.
What Is Sett in Tapestry Weaving?
Sett refers to the number of warp threads (vertical threads) per inch in a woven fabric. In tapestry weaving, it determines how tightly or loosely the warp threads are spaced on the loom. This spacing affects the density, texture, and appearance of the tapestry.
The sett influences how the weft threads fill the space between the warps. A tight sett means more warp threads per inch, resulting in a finer, denser fabric. A loose sett has fewer warp threads per inch, creating a more open, textured weave.
Why Sett Matters in Tapestry Weaving - let's get into detail
The sett affects several important aspects of tapestry weaving:
Texture and Detail
A fine sett allows for more detailed designs because the weaver can work with smaller sections and more precise color changes.
Weaving Speed and Effort
A loose sett requires less effort to weave since there are fewer warp threads to manage. However, it may take more weft yarn to fill the gaps, affecting material use.
Durability and Strength
Tapestries with a tight sett tend to be stronger and more durable. The close warp threads support the weft better, reducing gaps and wear over time.
Visual Impact
The sett influences how the tapestry looks from a distance. A tight sett produces a smooth surface that can resemble a painting, while a loose sett emphasises the woven texture. You might not yet know what kind of tapestry weaver you want to be — and that’s part of the fun! Every piece teaches you something new about your creative style.
My Chosen Sett
My Sett
My chosen set is 8 ends per inch (or 8 warps per inch). Why? It is somewhere in the middle ground. It allows a great amount of detail in my tapestries but is very user friendly still.
Type of Yarn
Thicker yarns need a looser sett to avoid overcrowding, while finer yarns work well with a tighter sett. I started tapestry with really chunky handspun yarn at 4 warps per inch. They warp would 'eat' up my yarn very quickly. It was a great starting point though to understand tension and just get used to a 'weft faced' weave.
Design Complexity
Detailed images require a tighter sett for precision. My 8 sett is perfect for getting into detail and I can create 'painterly' images on the loom with clever colour blending using 4/5 yarns.
Loom Size and Warp Length
The loom’s capacity and the length of the warp threads can limit how tight or loose the sett can be. Finding looms at my 8 sett was difficult - hence my love of Mirrix or making my own frame loom. This might change as more looms come onto the market and I'm always keeping an eye out.
How to Measure and Set the Sett
To measure sett, count the number of vertical warp threads in one inch on your loom. Adjusting the sett involves changing the spacing between warp threads when warping the loom. Again, I warp at 8 wraps in one inch.
Warp Choices
This is what can cause confusion so let's go over it again. It is important to purchase the correct warp for your 'sett'. Tapestry is a 'weft faced' weave so we use a different rule. Our warp thread should wrap around 1 cm eight times (not 1 inch) when working at a sett of 8, and so on.
See my blog about tapestry equipment for my recommended warp - here.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring Yarn Thickness
Your weft needs to be consistently the same width on your piece of art. Any differences in your yarn will show (but of course you could do this intentionally as a design feature).
Inconsistent Sett
If you put too much weft in between your warps your work will 'bubble' and become wavy. Don't worry you will notice this. Put too little weft in between your warps and your work will get tight and you will get that hourglass shape as you work up the loom.
Every weaver has a wavy piece (or three!) in their early days — it’s just part of learning. Over time, your hands will start to recognize the right amount of weft naturally.
Let's Get into Weft (your yarn choice)
My Weft Choices - in more detail
At my chosen 8 sett you can use the following ratios:
One strand of DK/8 ply yarn
One strand of DK yarn in my Beginners Course. You can create the illusion of colour blending by using 'hatching' techniques.
I adore the range of yarns from Weavers Bazaar. I started with
2 strands of their medium yarn.
With two strands of medium yarn you can learn to colour blend with confidence. then - 1 strand of medium yarn/2 strands of fine yarn
to finally - 4/5 strands of fine yarn
Other Yarn Choices:
Students in the US have been either using Weavers Bazaar yarns or Gist Array yarns. Gist are more expensive and do not have as many colour choices but they are beautiful.
A student in Australia is using the fantastic yarns from Australian Tapestry Workshop.
EU students - Weavers Bazaar do ship globally and to the EU.
Final Thoughts on Sett in Tapestry Weaving
Understanding sett might seem like a small detail, but it’s truly the heartbeat of tapestry weaving. Once you get comfortable with it, you’ll find so much freedom in your creative choices — colour, texture, expression.
Wherever you are in your weaving journey, keep exploring, keep experimenting, and most importantly — keep enjoying the process.
If you’re ready to start weaving and want some gentle guidance, my Beginner’s Online Course will walk you through everything step-by-step.
Or, if you’re ready to dive deeper into colour blending and creative expression, you’ll love my Artful Threads Course.
Are you in the EU? I have created a brand new school just for you. Beginners
Happy weaving, Liz 🌻
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