Velutdanner

Velutdanner is a term of Swedish origin that translates to "velvet former" or "velvet maker." It refers to a person or a machine that creates velvet fabric. Velvet is a type of woven tufted fabric in which the cut threads are evenly distributed with a short dense pile, giving it its distinctive soft feel. This pile is created by cutting the loops of the fabric's warp threads after weaving.

Historically, the creation of velvet was a labor-intensive and skilled process. Artisans would meticulously work with looms to create the intricate pile of the fabric. The development of specialized looms and later automated machinery in the industrial era led to the mass production of velvet, making it more accessible. Machines designed for velvet production often use a double-cloth weaving technique where two pieces of fabric are woven simultaneously, face to face, with a binder warp holding them together. Once woven, a knife or blade cuts through the binder warp, creating the two separate velvet fabrics.

Today, the term velutdanner can refer to either the craftspeople who still produce velvet using traditional methods or the operators of modern industrial machines responsible for its large-scale manufacturing. The quality and type of velvet produced can vary significantly depending on the fibers used (such as silk, cotton, rayon, or synthetic materials) and the specific weaving techniques employed.