Manufacturing

Velvet is a warp-pile fabric, which means that it has one set of filling yarns and two sets of warp yarns. The second set of warp yarns can be cut or un-cut. Double-cloth and over-wire methods are the two ways to create pile fabrics. In the double cloth method, two fabrics are woven, one above the other, and connected with an extra set of warp yarns. The over-wire method involves placing wires across the loom so that they intersect the cloth is certain places that create a pile. The pile is then cut with a blade that is over the loom. The wire is removed before the fabric is removed from the loom. If an un-cut pile is desired, waste picks can be placed on the wire and are removed after the fabric is off the loom. Velvet can be made out of various types of fibers and blends. The most common types of fibers used are rayon, silk and acetate.

Care

Velvet must be handled carefully and stored properly because folds and creases can permanently flatten the pile. If you need to get creases out of velvet you will need a steamer or a velvet board (a fat board that has hundreds of fine wires sticking out perpendicular). The velvet board helps to protect the pile while it is being ironed. Finer, plain weave velvets can only be dry-cleaned and are difficult to spot clean. Most knit velvets must also be dry-cleaned but some pann and other crushed velvet fabrics can be machine-washed. As always the best thing to do is read the manufacturers label for recommended care. Velvet is a beautiful and luxurious fabric to own but you must provide extra attention to the care and maintenance of this fabric.

Sources

• Hatch, Kathryn. Textile Science. West Publishing Co. New York, 1993. Page 334.
• Home Furnishings Network, June 8, 1998, page 21, "The Natural Consumer: Going for the Green", by Faye Musselman.
• Kadolph, Sara J. and Anna L. Langford, Textiles. 8th ed. Prentice-Hall, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 07458, pages 211-12.
• LaBarthe, Lydie. "12th and 13th Century Velvet" www.geocities.com/Area51/Lair/5459/bliaut3.html, 1997.
• Apparel Industry Magazine, August 1997, pate 68-69, "Coming to America: It's High Time for Hemp's Return", by Faye Musselmlan.
• Tortora, Phyllis G., Understanding Textiles. 4th Ed. Macmillan Publishing Company. New York, page 324.

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