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Velvet is a type of tufted fabric in which the cut threads are very evenly distributed, with a short dense pile, giving it its distinct feel. Velvet can be made from many different kinds of fibres. It is woven on a special loom that weaves two pieces of velvet at the same time. The two pieces are then cut apart and the two lengths of fabric are wound on separate take-up rolls.

Velvet’s knitted counterpart is velour. Velvet was very expensive and was considered to be among the luxury goods together with silk. Corduroy and velveteen were considered the poor man’s velvet. Panne is a type of finish for velvet which gives it a special shiny look, similar to many velours. Velvet is made, ideally, from silk. Cotton can also be used but this often results in a slightly less luxurious fabric. More recently, synthetic velvets have been developed like polyester, viscose, acetate and mixtures of different synthetics or synthetics and natural fibres like viscose and silk. Lycra is sometimes added to give stretch.

The luxurious and softened depth of dye colour it exhibited made it appropriate for robes and sumptous hangings and drapes. Italian velvets were famous during the medieval times which were then decorated by varying the colors of the pile, producing double pile, brocading with silk and using gold tissue. This techniques are still being used today.

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