What Is Velvet Fabric? Properties, How It’s Made, and Where It’s Used

Velvet is one of the most recognizable luxury textiles in the fashion and upholstery industries. Known for its soft surface, rich color, and smooth sheen, velvet has been used for centuries in premium garments and decorative interiors. While it was once made only from silk and available only to royalty, modern fiber innovations have made velvet fabric accessible to a wide range of designers, brands, and manufacturers across the USA.

Today, velvet fabric comes in cotton, silk, polyester, rayon, and blended variations, giving apparel designers greater flexibility in performance, drape, durability, and price. Many brands work with manufacturing partners experienced in specialty fabrics. SEAM Apparel often supports designers who want to introduce velvet-based styles into their collections.

This guide explains what velvet fabric is, how it is produced, its characteristics, the many types of fabric, and how designers can select the right option for their product line.

1. What Is Velvet Fabric?

Velvet fabric is a woven material created with a dense upright pile, which forms its plush, soft texture. The pile is made from additional yarn that stands vertically from the base fabric. This gives velvet its depth, sheen, and smooth, touchable surface.

Traditionally, velvet was made from pure silk.
Modern velvet material uses:

• Cotton velvet
• Silk velvet
• Rayon Velvet
• Polyester or synthetic velvet
• Blends of multiple fibers

Velvet belongs to the broader category of pile fabric, which also includes velour and velveteen. The unique construction allows velvet to display rich color saturation and a distinct reflective surface.

A Brief History of Velvet Fabric

The history of velvet stretches back to the Middle East around the 14th century. Early velvet was woven from fine silk and used as a symbol of wealth and social status. As trade expanded, the fabric reached Europe, where aristocracy and royal families adopted it.

Because silk velvet required advanced weaving techniques and skilled artisans, it remained expensive for centuries. With the Industrial Revolution, manufacturers introduced cotton-based velvet and synthetic velvet, making production faster, more affordable, and more accessible to global markets, including the USA.

Today, velvet is widely used in both luxury and everyday products, from evening gowns to furniture upholstery.

How Velvet Fabric Is Made

Understanding how velvet is made helps designers appreciate its texture, price, and performance. Velvet’s construction involves a unique weaving technique that forms the characteristic pile.

Traditional Velvet Fabric Production

1. Dual-Layer Weaving

Two layers of fabric are woven at the same time on a specialized loom. Pile yarns connect the layers.

2. Pile Yarn Insertion

Extra yarns are inserted between the layers to create loops.

3. Cutting the Pile

A blade slices these loops, separating the two layers and releasing the upright pile.

4. Brushing and Finishing

The surface is brushed, steamed, and sheared to achieve a uniform, plush finish.

This method is labor-intensive and typically used for luxury materials such as silk velvet.

Modern Velvet Fabric Production

Modern production uses advanced equipment including:

• Jacquard looms for patterns
• Synthetic blends for improved durability and colorfastness
• Knitted machines for stretch velvet options

Types of Velvet Fabric

Designers and textile students must understand the many types of velvet fabric to make the right material decisions.

1. Silk Velvet

• Premium, elegant, and extremely soft
• Beautiful natural drape
• High cost
• Ideal for luxury womenswear, evening dresses, couture

2. Rayon Velvet

• High Sheen
• More affordable than silk
• Incredibly soft hand feel
• Used in mid-range apparel and accessories

3. Polyester Velvet (Synthetic Velvet)

• Strong, durable, and colorfast
• Cost-efficient for large-scale production
• Common in both apparel and upholstery
• Often chosen by USA-based clothing brands for its consistency

4. Cotton Velvet (Velveteen)

• Soft but less shiny
• Matte appearance
• Durable and breathable
• Ideal for structured garments and home décor

5. Crushed Velvet

• Twisted during finishing
• Irregular texture and shine
• Often used in vintage, trendy, or nightlife-inspired clothing

6. Velour (Velvet vs Velour vs Velveteen)

Velour is:

• Knitted, not woven
• Stretchy
• Used in loungewear, activewear, costumes

7. Embossed Velvet

• Pattern pressed into pile
• Adds texture and visual interest
• Great for decorative textiles

8. Panne Velvet

• Pile is pressed flat
• High shine
• Used in dresses and performance wear

9. Stretch Velvet

• Contains spandex
• Ideal for dance wear, stage wear, bodysuits, fitted dresses

Properties of Velvet Fabric

The following velvet properties help designers decide where and how the textile fits within a collection.

Performance Properties

• Warm and insulating due to pile density
• Good drape, especially in silk and rayon
• Rich color absorption
• Moderate to high durability (polyester > rayon > silk)
• Optional stretch in knitted velvet
• Moderate to heavy weight depending on pile height

Aesthetic Properties

• Luxurious Sheen
• Smooth, plush feel
• Deep, rich color tones

Classic, formal, anyone elegant appearance

Pros and Cons of Velvet Fabric

Advantages

• Luxurious look
• Soft and comfortable
• Excellent drape
• Works for both apparel and décor
• Takes dye exceptionally well

Disadvantages

• Can attract lint and dust
• Some types crush easily
• Can be challenging to sew due to pile direction
• Silk velvet is delicate and expensive
• Some variations require dry cleaning

Common Uses of Velvet Fabric

Velvet is used across multiple industries. These uses of velvet cover apparel, accessories, décor, and more.

Apparel Applications

• Dresses and gowns
• Eveningwear
• Blazers and jackets
• Trousers
• Bodysuits and stretch garments
• Loungewear
• Performance wear and dance costumes
• Skirts
• Fashionable accessories (bags, scrunchies, headbands)

Home Décor & Upholstery Uses

• Curtains and drapes
• Upholstered furniture
• Cushion covers
• Decorative throws
• Wall coverings
• Luxury bedding

Skilled manufacturing partners, such as SEAM Apparel, often guide brands on how to manage and construct delicate materials like velvet during production.

How to Choose the Right Velvet Fabric for Your Product

Choosing velvet requires careful evaluation of performance, cost, and aesthetic goals.

Key Factors for Designers

Fiber Type

1. • Silk: Luxury feel, fluid drape
   • Rayon: High sheen, more affordable alternative to silk
   • Polyester: Durable, colorfast, easy to maintain
   • Cotton: Matte finish, structured appearance
2. Woven vs. Knit Velvet
   • Woven Velvet: Best for formal and structured apparel
   • Knit Velvet: Ideal for stretch, comfort, and flexibility
3. Pile Height & Density
   • Longer pile: Softer hand feel, heavier weight
   • Short pile: More structured, refined appearance
4. Sheen Level
   • Silk & Rayon Velvet: High sheen, luxurious shine
   • Cotton Velvet: Low sheen, understated look
5. Weight (GSM)Fabric weight influences drape, comfort, and overall garment structure.
6. Intended UseVelvet for apparel differs significantly from upholstery velvet in weight and durability.
7. ColorfastnessSynthetic velvet holds dye exceptionally well, making it ideal for deep and vibrant shades.

Stretch Needs

Knit velvet may include spandex for performance or fitted garments.

USA-based brands often review these factors with their manufacturing partners before selecting production-ready velvet material.

Velvet Fabric Care Guide

Proper care helps preserve velvet’s softness and sheen.

General Care Tips

• Silk velvet → professional dry cleaning
• Synthetic velvet → gentle hand wash or cold machine wash (inside out)
• Never iron directly
• Use steam to lift and revive the pile
• Store garments in breathable space
• Avoid folding heavy velvet pieces to prevent crushing
• Brush lightly to maintain texture

Sustainable Alternatives to Traditional Velvet Fabric

Sustainability is a growing priority among apparel brands.
Modern sustainable velvet alternatives include:

• Recycled polyester velvet
• Eco-friendly rayon (FSC-certified or responsibly sourced)
• Plant-based velvet blends made from bamboo or modal
• Organic cotton velveteen
• Reduced-waste digital printing on velvet

Many manufacturers, including SEAM Apparel, help brands explore responsible sourcing options for velvets used in fashion and soft goods.

Conclusion

Velvet is a luxurious and historically rich textile that continues to evolve with modern manufacturing. Its plush surface, deep color saturation, and smooth sheen make it a timeless favorite in apparel, accessories, and home décor.

Understanding what velvet fabric is, its construction, and the many available types allow brands to choose the right version for each product. Whether designers prefer silk velvet for premium gowns, polyester velvet for durability, or cotton velveteen for structure, velvet offers endless creative possibilities.

With the right guidance in sourcing and production, velvet can add elegance and value to any collection. SEAM Apparel sports brands are looking to incorporate specialty materials and develop high-quality velvet products.

For deeper material guidance or support with product development, designers can reach out to a manufacturing partner knowledgeable in premium textiles