What Kind Of Fabric Is Velvet?

 

In textiles, velvet is a fabric with a short and dense pile and is used widely in clothing and upholstery. The term “velvet” is derived from the Middle French velu, which means shaggy. Velvet fabric is created using the pile weave of silk, cotton, or synthetic fibers. Its characteristic soft and smooth downy surface is formed by clipped yarns. Based on their applications, velvet fabrics can be made water-repellent and crush-resistant. Some velvet fabrics also come patterned or embossed when they are intended for luxury clothing and décor items. 

Let’s learn more about velvet fabric in detail.

What is velvet?

Velvet is a soft fabric with luxurious appeal characterized by a dense pile of evenly cut fibers with a smooth nap. It’s a beautiful drape and has a soft and lustrous appearance due to the characteristics of short pile fibers.

Velvet is more popular for evening wear and dresses for special occasions. Initially, velvet was made from silk. However, nowadays, velvet can be made using cotton, linen, wool, mohair, polyester, and synthetic fibers to cut down the cost and make it more accessible for daily wear clothing.

In addition, velvet is also used for home décor where it is used as upholstery fabric, curtains, pillows, and more.

What are the different types of velvet?

To understand the velvet fabric better, you must be familiar with its different types that are categorized based on the materials used for weave or the method of creation used.

1.     Crushed Velvet

As the name implies, crushed velvet comes with a “crushed” appearance. This look is achieved by twisting the fabric while wet or by pressing the pile in different directions. As a result, it looks patterned and shiny and has a unique texture.

 

2.     Panne Velvet

This type of velvet is a type of crushed velvet that is created by applying heavy pressure to the material to push the pile in one direction. You may notice the same pattern in knit fabrics such as velour which is usually made from polyester.

 

3.     Embossed Velvet

It is a printed fabric created using a heat stamp that is used to apply the pressure to the velvet in order to push down the piles and create a particular pattern. This type of velvet is more commonly used in upholstery items.

 

4.     Plain Velvet

Plain velvet is generally cotton velvet. With very little stretch, it is heavy and doesn’t have the shine that velvet made from silk or synthetic fibers comes with.

 

5.     Ciselé

It is a type of patterned velvet that is typically created by cutting some looped threads and leaving others uncut.

 

6.     Pile-on-Pile Velvet

This type of velvet fabric comes with piles of different lengths to create patterns. Velvet upholstery items are usually designed using this type of velvet.

7.     Stretch Velvet

Stretch velvet is often made from polyester and spandex so that the velvet fabric not only looks shiny but becomes more flexible and stretchable. You can use it for creating dresses, art and craft, and other décor items.

We hope, by now, you have understood what kind of fabric velvet is and what type of velvet is suitable for your project.