What is velvet?

Your Quick Reference Guide To Learning Everything You Need To Know About Velvet Fabric

In the fabric world, there are a number of those so-called luxury fabrics that everyone wants to get their hands on – figuratively and literally! From satin and tweed, to mink and velvet, everyone wants to know just what those specially crafted fabrics feel like, right?

With so many different fabrics to choose from, we figured we’d make things simple by introducing you to ten of the most widely used fabrics and going into detail regarding where they’re from, what they are, and what they’re used for.

Welcome to part 4 of this 10-part blog. Today, we’ll talk about everything you need to know about velvet fabric.

What Is Velvet?

Velvet is best described as fabric that has a raised yarn throughout the surface of the textile with a soft, plush feeling and look. Velvet pile, or the raised fibers, usually caress your hand upon touching the textile.  There’s a reason for why velvet fabric is so widely loved in all places of the world – because it’s soft, smooth, warm, and luxurious. With a history that dates back to the 14^th century, velvet has always been popular – especially in its most traditional forms. Those forms were often made from pure silk, which made them extremely valuable and highly coveted along the Silk Road. At that time, it was considered one of the most prized fabrics in the world, and was often associated with pure royalty.

Today, velvet is much more accessible – and yet, still all the more luxurious. Velvet fabric is no longer as expensive to produce as it was back in the Middle Ages, and it has become a bit more of a mixture between synthetic fibers and natural fibers. While most velvet is no longer produced from pure silk, it still offers the same softness and luxuriousness as it always had.

What Is Velvet Fabric Used For?

Velvet is commonly found in everything from curtains and blankets, to stuffed animals, plush toys, furniture, and even bath robes and bedding. With high breathability, velvet is comfortable, warm, and yet airy all at the same time. In addition, it has pretty strong moisture-wicking properties, making it an ideal fabric for bath robes and towels. Every woman knows the feeling of a velvet dress – and it’s likely the most fancy dress you own too, right? Velvet still has a luxurious air about it, and that likely won’t disappear any time soon. From eveningwear and intimates, to formal robes and formal hats, velvet always has a place during those special occasions.

Everything You Need To Know

Before we finish off this blog, let’s recap. Velvet fabric is one of the most luxurious fabrics in the world. Once known for its pure silk construction, velvet fabric has become much more accessible and less expensive since the Middle Ages. Today, velvet fabric is seen in everything from robes and bedding, to formalwear and upholstery.