Velvet: fabric, its types and features

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Velveteen is a durable, fleecy fabric with ribs on the front side. It consists of viscose or cotton, rarely synthetic fibers.

History of the origin of the material

This material first appeared in the Middle Ages, when it was used to make curtains. Later, the French began to use the then very expensive velveteen when tailoring clothes for crowned heads. The fabric instantly became popular and by the nineteenth century "came" to Russia. True, as upholstery for furniture. But sewing clothes from velvet in our country began only in the last century.

Diversity these days

Today there are several types of this fabric: velveteen cord with wide ribs and high pile, which is formed due to the very high density of the weft thread. Much greater than the density of the warp threads. This thick corduroy is a bit heavy, so it works well with summer shoes or light coats. In addition to velvet cord, there is the so-called velveteen rib (with low pile), which is often used for sewing children's clothing and raincoats. There are also options with an ornament and even a bleached pile (under the frost). All corduroy fabrics are available both plain dyed and with various printed patterns, andvelvet dyed black is called black velvet. Currently, corduroy is produced not only with longitudinal scars, but also with transverse, and even oblique - there are options for every taste. If you decide to sew a suit, dress or jacket for yourself, then corduroy is perfect for you. The fabric is very practical, as it combines a low price and good wear resistance. Also, the pluses include the fact that it practically does not wrinkle and is very pleasant for the body. In addition, velvet fabric is very well combined with other materials: linen, leather, guipure and many others.

Caring for velveteen at home

Velveteen clothes and shoes should be properly cared for. Since corduroy is a natural cotton fabric, it can shrink a lot after washing. Therefore, clothes made from this fabric should be washed exclusively in warm water, the temperature of which should be thirty to thirty-five degrees. It is not recommended to rub and twist velveteen products hard. In general, things made of such material are best taken to dry cleaning in order to accurately prevent damage to the pile and other troubles. At home, stains on corduroy items should be carefully removed by blotting, rather than rubbing, carefully choosing a stain remover.

It is necessary to iron products from this specific fabric only from the inside, using steam, since ironing corduroy without steam can severely damage the pile. You need to iron on a soft surface (for example, on a terrytowel placed over the ironing board). If the product is quite wrinkled and you can’t do without ironing from the front side, then this should be done with extreme caution, gently pressing the iron. Before you start ironing, it is better to try on an unnecessary piece of fabric.