Basic Definition

Slubs are the thicker areas in irregular width yarns that cause a raised appearance on the surface of the fabric. Once considered a sign of poor quality fabric, slubs have been embraced by designers to create a more interesting and different surface on a garment.
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How It’s Done

A thread with a variable thickness is strung, usually in the weft (across) direction, while another, regular thickness, thread is run in the perpendicular (warp) direction. When woven together the varying width thread gives a wobbly appearance to the fabric and the slubs are the thick areas where the thread balled up the most.
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History

Slubs were traditionally imperfections in threads run on the looms. Slubs were irregular widths in the threads used to weave cheap fabrics that caused a nubby appearance while well spun regular sized threads created nicer quality textiles.
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See Also

Warp
Weft
Twill
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