Abstract: A double-layer fabric for the sheetforming section of a papermaking machine which is referred to as a sheet forming fabric or a dewatering fabric consists of an upper layer (1) of transverse threads (3) and a lower layer (2) of transverse threads (4) and (8) which are interwoven with a single system of longitudinal threads (5). Successive transverse threads (4, 8) of the lower layer (2) form pairs and within each pair the lowest points (7) of the transverse thread floats (6) are in alignment. The lowest point (7) of the float of the one transverse thread (4) of a pair is offset from the center of the float (6) in the direction opposite to the direction in which the lowest point (7) of the float (6) of the other transverse thread (6) is offset.