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The Ultimate Guide to Velvet: From Manufacturing to Care
August 14, 2023
Do you fancy a bit of velvet? Ever wondered how this luxurious fabric is made or how to care for it? Maybe you're curious about its history, the role it plays in fashion, or its environmental impact. And wouldn't it be handy to know how to identify top-notch velvet, or maybe even fix a snag?
Well, this comprehensive guide's got you covered. We're going to delve into the fascinating world of velvet–from its historical roots to its modern production techniques. We'll guide you through different types of velvet and help you understand their unique features. Moreover, we'll also share some practical tips on buying, storing, and cleaning velvet. Plus, we'll explore velvet's place in sustainable fashion and its use in interior design. Get ready to become a velvet virtuoso…
Where Is Velvet From?
Velvet is steeped in rich history. Its story begins in the Far East, specifically in China, around 2000 BC. From there, the fabric travelled to Egypt during the rule of the Pharaohs. Velvet was considered a luxury, gracing palaces and donned by the elite. As trade routes expanded, the fabric spread to Europe during the Middle Ages. Italy, with its thriving textile industry, particularly embraced velvet. The fabric soon became a symbol of wealth and power.
Velvets are unique in the fabric world. They possess a plush texture, achieved by looping and cutting yarn. The result is a dense pile of even height, creating a soft and uniform surface. This texture is what lends velvet its luxurious and distinctive feel. Velvet can be made from various fibres, including silk, cotton, and synthetic materials like polyester.
How Is Velvet Made?
The production of velvet is a meticulous process. It involves weaving two layers of fabric simultaneously on a special loom. After weaving, the two pieces are separated, producing two lengths of velvet. This arduous production process is one of the reasons why velvet is more expensive than other fabrics.
There are many types of velvet, each with distinct characteristics. For example, crushed velvet has a textured, shimmering surface. Velvetine is a lighter, more affordable variant. Devoré velvet, on the other hand, has a pattern etched onto it, making it more ornamental.
How Can You Identify a High-Quality Velvet?
When assessing the quality of velvet, consider the density and uniformity of the pile. High-quality velvet feels soft, plush, and dense. Its colour appears even and rich. Additionally, quality velvet doesn't wrinkle easily and recovers quickly when crushed.
Its quality is the reason why velvet is a darling of the fashion world. Its luxurious texture and shimmering appearance make it perfect for evening wear. Whether it's a velvet jacket, dress, or boots, the fabric adds an opulent touch to any outfit.
Velvet Care Tips: Do’s and Don’ts
Being generally a high quality fabric, velvet is a little trickier to care for than other fabrics. Bear these tips in mind for your velvet clothing and upholstery:
- Velvet requires careful handling and storage. The fabric should be kept in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Avoid folding velvet as it can crush the pile. Instead, hang items or roll them up for storage.
- Velvet generally requires dry cleaning. However, if your item's care label permits, you can hand wash it using a mild detergent. Never wring velvet as it can damage the pile. Always gently squeeze out excess water and dry flat.
- When ironing velvet, use a low heat setting and place a cloth between the iron and fabric. It's better to steam velvet items to remove wrinkles while preserving the pile. Always iron on the reverse side.
- To repair snagged velvet, gently pull the snagged yarn through to the reverse side of the fabric. For larger repairs, consider professional assistance to ensure a seamless finish.
- When disposing of velvet, try to recycle or repurpose it whenever possible. Many charities accept fabric donations, or you could use old velvet for craft projects.
With this guide, we hope to have helped you understand and appreciate velvet even more. Whether you're a fashion enthusiast, an interior decorator, or simply someone who appreciates the finer things in life, velvet has a lot to offer. So why not bring a touch of luxury into your life with some velvet? We're confident that once you've experienced the richness of velvet, you'll never look back.
Choose I Want Fabric
At I Want Fabric, we are passionate about velvet and continually strive to offer our customers the best quality at affordable prices. As a family-run business, we've built a strong rapport with our customers over the past three years, growing into a cheerful and efficient workforce. Our hand-picked selection of fabrics is vast, and our commitment to quality is unwavering. From luxurious velvets to craft cottons and a variety of exclusive prints, we have something for everyone. Shop our range today.