Abstract: Loops are created at the ends of a woven papermaking machine forming fabric by a method which comprises removing weft yarns from the end of the fabric to give a weft-free zone, shortening selected ones of the warp yarns in the region of the weft-free zone, folding back the uncut warp yarns into register with respective ones of the shortened warp ends to form loops spaced transversely of the fabric, and introducing weft yarns into the resultant weftless end of the forming fabric, the crimp pattern of the individual uncut warp ends being such that when the ends are folded back the overall crimp pattern of the warp yarns in the weftless end of the forming fabric is compatible with that of the body of the forming fabric.