The lines on towels, commonly called the "dobby border," serve several practical and functional purposes beyond just decoration:
- Prevent Fraying and Extend Lifespan: The dobby border is a tightly woven strip at the ends of towels that reinforces the fabric edges, preventing fraying and unraveling over time. This reinforcement helps towels maintain their shape and durability through many washes, making them last longer
- Enhance Absorbency: The woven strip helps maintain an even towel structure, preventing the edges from becoming bulky. This balance keeps the towel soft, lightweight, and efficient at absorbing moisture. The textured weaving in these lines increases surface area and improves the towel’s ability to trap water, making drying more effective
- Improve Handling and Grip: The dobby border provides better grip and handling when drying off, folding, or stacking towels, which is especially useful in commercial settings like hotels and gyms
- Allow for Hanging: Some towels incorporate a loop or band within the woven strip to enable easy hanging on hooks, helping towels air dry properly and stay organized
- Aesthetic Finish: Besides functionality, the lines add a polished, professional look to towels, contributing to their overall design appeal
In summary, the lines on towels are a small but essential design feature that prevents fraying, improves absorbency, enhances durability and handling, allows hanging, and adds a decorative touch. They help towels stay functional, long-lasting, and visually appealing