Silk Velvet Fabric
Velvet fabric
is a cut pile fabric made with an extra warp yarn. To make velvet fabric,
threads from which it has been made are cut on the surface in an even manner
to give it a distinct and soft look. Velvet is quiet a luxurious fabric as
more thread count is required to make it. Originally velvet fabric was an
all-silk fabric as only silk threads were used to make it. But now velvet
fabric is also available in
cotton,
synthetic and other threads making it an affordable luxury.
So now a days it is closely woven from silk, rayon, cotton, acetate, nylon,
a little of wool or their blends. The one made from cotton is called cotton
velvet fabric and is very popular. To make the stretch velvet fabric, very
small percentage if lycra is also used.
It wears well and drapes well with a tendency to add weight to the figure.
It is resistant to crush and water. Velvet fabric comes in variety of weight
and is less expensive.
To get the maximum amount of depth in the color, the velvet is cut with
the pile running up after woven over wires. By cutting this way, it wears
well. It is cut with simple lines in the garment so that it do not destroys
the beauty of the fabric.
Types of Velvet Fabric
Plain Weave
This type of velvet is used to make evening clothing and gowns. This is
generally very rich in colors.
Cut Velvet
Velvet upholstery fabric is in the form of cut velvet. Curtains and other
interior design fabrics are made in cut velvet. It has the patterns of
velvet all over with plain surface.
Crushed Velvet
Cut Velvet Fabric
This is formed
by twisting the fabric when it is still wet. It is mostly used in apparel
industry but also as velvet upholstery fabric. To use it in upholstery,
velvet fabric is coated for support.
Panne Velvet
Panne is also made in the same way as crushed velvet but softer than the
later. Velvet fabric manufacturers keep the market demand in mind to make
different kinds of these fabrics.
Characteristics of Velvet Fabric
- It is durable
- It is thick
- It is warm
- It drapes well
- It has short fuzzy surface
- It is water-resistant
- It is crush resistant
Uses of Velvet Fabric
- Evening wear
- Home wear
- Upholstery
- Curtains
- Cushions
Velvet upholstery fabric in the form of curtains, sofa covers, cushion
covers, dining
chair
covers is the most widely used fabric. Varied designs and colors of
this velvet upholstery fabric can be seen that look so different and
elegant.
History and Process of Making Velvet Fabric
Velvet fabric is not
new but it was known to human kind around 4000 years back. The art of
weaving velvet had been developed in Kashmir in the beginning of fourteenth
century. Egyptians were also used to make the similar fabric.
To make velvet fabric, a specialized loom is used and two pisces of cloths
are weaved at a same time as a warp thread instead of one piece goes through
the two pisces of cloths. These pisces are then cut along the wrap to make a
single velvet fabric. These are then rolled individually and has the threads
still bound together. This is called pile fabric . After this the surface of
velvet fabric is cut to make even surface. Velvet fabric is exceptionally
good in taking dyes so you can color it is tone that you want. Also from
this crushed velvet fabric is made just by twisting it when wet.
Velvet fabric was earlier the symbol of royalty and luxury as the process
of making it is quiet hard. Earlier it was difficult to maintain velvet but
now you can simply use shrinkage free detergent or give your velvet cloth
for dry cleaning.