Velvet, a timeless must-have
Fabric known for its softness and warmth... Ideal fabric for timeless creations... Overview of this new material that invites itself with style on en.tessuti.fr
Velvet, a whole history
Eternal, the velvet fabric has crossed the centuries.
Coming from the East, it spread in the great Italian cities from the 14th century. Velvet was then the most luxurious of materials for its softness to the touch and the slowness of its weaving.
In the nineteenth century, velvet became essential: workers adopted the corduroy wideot pants for its solidity. Today, corduroy has become a top fashion trend and is used on the catwalks for the most beautiful pieces in our wardrobes.
But do you really know what velvet is? What is this fabric made of and how to maintain it? Team Torretto Tessuti is going to tell you everything!
Velvet : A material ? A weave ?
Corduroy, velvet milleraies, velvet ras... velvet comes in many forms. But what is its particularity? Neither a material, nor a fabric: It is an armor!
An armor, well said! But what is it? Alessandro explains us: "The weave designates the weaving or the way in which the threads of warp and weft of a fabric are intertwined. There are 3 simple weaves composed of a warp and a weft that cross each other perpendicularly: The canvas, the twill and the satin.
Velvet is a "complex" weave. It is composed of a simple weave (which constitutes its basic structure), on which is fixed an additional thread, called "pile thread".
This pile yarn, placed in warp or weft, draws loops which are cut, giving a velvety aspect to the fabric. This is the uniqueness of velvet, isn't it?
This fabric then has a smooth matte surface on the reverse side, and on the front side, a lustrous, fluffy surface formed with pile that we love."
The different types of velvet
1. Weft velvet
When the pile thread is in the direction of the weft, it is called weft velvet. A weaving with a warp and two wefts, which gives life to corduroy. Depending on thenumber of stripes (or ribs), the latter reveals in turn beautiful characteristics. We distinguish :
- milleraies velvet, which is a finely ribbed velvet, composed of 700 to 800 and not 1000/m as its name might suggest;
- the 500 stripes velvet with medium width ribs and rather spaced;
- the heavier weight corduroy, made up of large ribs spaced far apart.
2. Chain velvet
Warp pile is obtained when the pile yarn is placed in the direction of the warp. The fabric has two warps between whichmetal rods called irons pass, forming loops that constitute the "pile" of warp velvet. This weaving process gives rise to several types of velvet, such as :
- the curly velvet which takes its name from the curls formed by the hairs,
- the cut velvet obtained by cutting the hair short, called Palatine, to a soft and homogeneous surface.
- the chiseled velvet, which is a combination of the previous ones: it includes cut and uncut areas that show a pattern in relief.
3. Other types of velvet
There are other types of velvet such as jersey velvet, minky velvet (or minkee) intended to compose clothes or accessories for the house.
The composition of the velvet
Velvet can be made from several types of fibers. You can find silk velvet, linen velvet, wool velvet, synthetic velvet ... But the most common fiber to compose a trendy and durable velvet is cotton.
Le velours de coton lisse par exemple, propose une grande douceur et un lustre légèrement mat qui en fait un tissu très apprécié aussi bien en décoration qu’en conception de vêtements.
Le coton est également la matière de prédilection du velours côtelé. Devenu un incontournable mode depuis les années 60, il est adopté comme une alternative au chino et au jean denim.
In the dressing room of the smallest, the cotton velvet milleraies also remains a must. To accompany them in all their movements the cotton/elastane velvet is the must!
How to choose a velvet ?
As with any sewing project, the composition and weight of the fabric are very important. These two pieces of information are essential. They give an indication of the fall and the aspect of the velvet, but also its elasticity.
The Torretto Tessuti Team has selected the most qualitative cotton velvets made in Italy. Milleraies, 500 stripes, coarse-ribbed or cut, each one will sublimate your ideas in their own way.
Find these velvet fabrics for creations that you will love and wear for a long time. Materials from dormant stocks of great houses, trendy and durable, which will make your creations the most remarkable and responsible. A winning combo, right?
No reason to resist, now that you know more about velvet, let's sew ! Compose your trendiest ideas and share them on our instagram account.