All about Velvet
Velvet is a sort of woven tufted fabric during which the cut
threads are evenly distributed, with a brief dense pile, giving
it a
particular soft feel. By extension, the word velvety means
"smooth like velvet." Velvet are often made up of either
synthetic or natural fibers.
Velvet is woven on a special loom that weaves
two thicknesses of the fabric at an equivalent time. the 2 pieces
are then cut apart to make the pile effect, and therefore the two
lengths of
cloth are wound on separate take-up rolls. This complicated
process meant that velvet was expensive to form before industrial
power looms became available, and well-made velvet remains a reasonably costly
fabric. Velvet is difficult to wash due to its pile, but modern cleaning methods make
cleaning more feasible.
What are they made of?
Velvet are often made up of several
different sorts
of fibers, traditionally, the foremost expensive of
which is silk.
Much of the
velvet sold today as "silk velvet" is really a mixture of
rayon and silk. Velvet made entirely from silk is rare and typically has
market prices of several hundred US dollars per yard. Cotton is additionally wont to make velvet,
though this often leads to a less luxurious fabric. Velvet also can be made up of fibers like linen, mohair, and wool.
A cloth made
by the Kuba people of the Democratic Republic of Congo from raffia is usually mentioned as
"Kuba velvet". More
recently, synthetic velvets are developed, mostly from polyester, nylon, viscose,
acetate, and from either mixtures of various synthetics or
from combined synthetics and natural fibers (for example viscose mixed with
silk produces a
really soft, reflective fabric). A little percentage of
spandex is
usually added to offer the ultimate material a particular amount
of stretch (hence "stretch velvet")
Types
of Velvet available at Aatma fabrics:
VELVETEEN
This fabric features a short and dense pile, with a
really uniform
distribution, which makes it ressemble suede. Velveteen are usually 100%
cotton, and have more body and
fewer drape than
regular velvet. due to the shorter pile, they're also more matte.
Cotton is
extremely heat-resistant and therefore the very short pile of velveteen is a smaller amount likely to be flattened, so you'll prewash this fabric and even iron it from the incorrect side. Avoid pressing seams directly together with your iron however, since this
might leave marks.
Instead, apply tons of steam and press the seam open together with your fingers or with a wooden clapper.
RAYON VELVET
Rayon
velvet is analogous to silk velvet therein it's tons of drape, but it's less shiny and cheaper .
To tame these shifty fabrics, try basting at
every step and stitch by hand the
maximum amount as
possible, especially for hems (avoid topstitching). All previous advice still
applies: no ironing, clean only, and use steam to open your seams!
BURNOUT
VELVET