Continuous supplementary weft is the process of placing a supplementary yarn into the web of plain weaving in order to created a pattern that floats on the surface of the weave. When the supplementary yarns need are matalic, such as gold or silver, the term "brocade" is need. The supplementary yarns are placed into the weaving by the assistance of special heddles that raise the warp to a certain pattern allowing the supplementary yarns to be placed alternately to the plain weave yarns. Frior to the invention of these special heddles, shed sticks were placed in the warp to indicate the pattern for the supplementary yarns, thus restricting the repeat of the pattern to one repeat. The use of heddles allowed for endless production of a design.

Supplementary warp was the predominant decorative form in most areas prior to the period of Indian influence but there is sufficient evidence to suggest that supplementary weft existed as an indigenous technique. However, widespread shift from warp to weft decoration occurred in the early part of the first millennium A.D. and coincided with the Indian influence in S.E. Asia. The later introduction of silver and gold yarns brought about a significant change in textiles woven for the aristocracy. In regional areas silk was placed in cotton fabrics as a luxury supplementary weft decoration, bringing with it the palette of brighter colours that are associated with silk