Velvet is a closely woven fabric of silk or cotton. It has a thick short pile on one side and is sheer on the other, either a plain weave or a twill. Most velvets that we use at To Die For Designs are silk velvets where the pile is silk with a rayon or cotton. There are various grades of velvet, from quite light to quite dense and heavy with good wear. Good grades of velvet are crush resistant, water resistant, and drapes well.
Velvet is very well suited to jackets, tops, skirts, pants, period pieces and occasional wear. It makes excellent detailing fabric on garments made with flatter fabrics.
Despite its good wear it is best to hand wash or dry clean velvets. Lower grades may deteriorate with one or two washings.
