Velvet is a soft pile fabric that has been manufactured for almost 4,000 years in one form or another. Velvet has long been considered a luxury fabric because it requires more yarn to manufacture than other fabrics, as well as multiple steps.
Velvet can be made from any type of yarn, although traditionally, velvet was made with silk yarn, making it even more costly. In the modern era, cotton and synthetics have been used in the manufacture of velvet.
Velvet is a woven fabric, its pile is formed from warp (lengthwise) yarns woven into the backing. It is woven on a double piece loom which creates two fabrics simultaneously. Velvet pile is sandwiched in-between the layers. As the cloth comes off the loom, the pile ‘sandwich’ is spilt to create two pieces of velvet – each with an erect pile.
After cutting, velvet is often sheared to ensure it is all even, and then dyed. Velvet takes dye extremely well. Velvet is usually brushed while moist so that the fabric sets with a grain, producing the characteristic feel that consumers prize.
