Velvet Fabrics by the Metre

On this page, you will find various velvet fabrics by the metre, made from different fibre materials, including natural fibres and recycled fibre materials. Our range includes high-quality curtain velvet and upholstery velvet from European production. The different qualities are available in modern colours and with various pile surfaces.

What is velvet fabric?

Velvet is a pile fabric with an upright fibre surface, known as the pile. The pile height of velvet is typically up to about 3 mm. For the characteristic surface, the pile threads are cut open after weaving.

The ground fabric can, for example, consist of cotton and be produced in plain or twill weave. For the pile, depending on the quality, cotton, wool, viscose, or synthetic fibre yarns are used. The pile is incorporated into the ground fabric by additional warp or weft threads.

Modern velvet fabrics can also contain admixtures of highly elastic fibre materials such as elastane. Depending on the construction, a distinction is made, among others, between warp pile velvet and weft pile velvet.

How is velvet fabric made?

Warp Pile Velvet

Warp pile velvet consists of a ground warp, ground weft, and pile warp. The pile warp forms the pile and is guided over so-called rods. After the weaving process, the pile threads are cut open, creating the typical velvety surface.

Well-known forms of warp pile velvet include velour, Genoa velvet, Venetian velvet, and Lindener velvet.

Weft Pile Velvet

Weft pile velvet consists of a ground warp, ground weft, and pile weft. The pile is created by subsequently cutting open the pile wefts in the weft direction. The higher weft density creates a characteristic, dense surface.

Weft pile velvet is produced, among other things, as smooth velvet, such as velvet or velveteen, as ribbed velvet or corduroy, and as patterned velvet.

Double Velvet

Double velvet is another variant of warp pile velvet. In this weaving process, also known as the double plush weaving process, two velvet fabrics are created simultaneously – an upper and a lower fabric. Both fabrics are connected by a common pile warp.

Before the two fabrics are wound separately, the pile warp is cut in the middle. This creates two separate velvet fabrics.

Which fibres are used for velvet?

Different fibre materials are used for the production of velvet. Frequently used are:

• Cotton

• Silk

• Wool

• Viscose

• Polyester and other synthetic fibres

• Recycled fibre materials, depending on quality

The properties of a velvet fabric largely depend on the fibre used, the fabric construction, the pile height, and the subsequent finishing.

A high-quality velvet is characterised, among other things, by an even and dense pile as well as good pile fastness. Depending on the material and finishing, velvet fabrics can have different properties regarding feel, care, lightfastness, durability, and sensitivity to pressure marks.

The care instructions differ depending on the composition and finishing of the respective fabric. Therefore, we recommend observing the information on the respective product.

How is velvet finished?

In the production of velvet, several finishing steps are required depending on the quality. These may include:

• Raising: Erecting the pile threads

• Shearing: Adjusting or levelling the pile height

• Dyeing: Dyeing according to the desired colour scheme and material composition

• Finishing: Influencing certain performance properties

• Fixing: Fixing the finish

• Brushing: Erecting and, if necessary, splaying the pile fibres

• Shearing: Final levelling of the pile surface

Which work steps are actually used depends on the respective velvet quality and the fibre material used.

Velvet Fabrics for Curtains and Upholstery

Due to its characteristic surface, velvet is suitable for various applications. Depending on the quality, velvet fabrics are used, for example, for curtains, decorations, furniture and upholstery covers, or other textile applications.

When making a selection, particular attention should be paid to the material composition, pile height, durability, and the suitability for the respective area of use as specified by the manufacturer.

The specific properties and care instructions can be found with our respective products.

Difference to other pile fabrics

Plush

Plush has a similar fabric construction to warp pile velvet. The main difference lies in the pile height: Plush typically has a higher pile than velvet. The pile can be longer and less dense, depending on the quality.

Moquette

Moquette is also a pile fabric and a heavier version that was and is particularly used for furniture covers and decorative fabrics. The construction can include several pile warp systems and thus differs from lighter velvet qualities.