Velvets

Velvet is a plush fabric characterized by a dense pile that gives a soft, luminous surface. The pile is created by a weaving process that forms short fibers standing upright, typically cut to produce a smooth nap. Velvet can be made from silk, cotton, wool, or synthetic blends, and it ranges from light, drapable varieties to heavy upholstery weights.

Velvet varieties include silk velvet, cotton velvet for upholstery, and synthetic velvets based on polyester or viscose. Special finishes add texture: crushed velvet has a wrinkled nap, and embossed velvet carries a patterned surface. Velveteen is a related cotton-pile fabric with a flatter nap and lower pile density.

Velvet has ancient roots in the Middle East and Europe, with medieval and Renaissance courts adopting it as a luxury material. Early velvets were produced in Italian and Islamic centers, and later in France and England; today velvet is manufactured worldwide from a range of fibers and at many different weights.

Used in fashion and interior décor, velvet is valued for its depth of color and soft hand. Care depends on fiber: many velvets are best dry-cleaned, while cotton and some synthetic varieties can be washed with care. The pile nap can crush or shift with use, so gentle brushing or steaming with a protective cloth helps restore its sheen and even appearance.