Velvet: features, varieties, pros and cons

Velvet has been considered a luxury item at all times. Its manufacture is very expensive. But any thing from it - whether it is a work of art, clothing or a piece of furniture - all this is considered a noble chic.

The history of the fabric originates in the distant past. Velvet is a derived name from the German Barchent, which means "boomasea". In France, this fabric was called velor, and in England - velveteen. But today all these are different types of fabrics and it is not worth combining them with velvet.

The first descriptions of this type of fabric date back to the 11th century. This is the period of the early Middle Ages, when there were still no manufactories and all fabrics, including the rarest and most expensive, were made manually on special machines. The characteristics and composition of the paintings of those times is distinguished by a special technology, most likely from the Ancient East. It was there that all kinds of silk-based fabrics were first produced. Through the Silk Road, these fabrics, and then the technology of their production, came to other countries.

In Europe, the production of this type of fabric was exclusively dealt with by the weavers guild. In the XIII century, she moved to Italy, where she was entrenched to this day. Weavers belonged to a privileged class, they were entrance to the royal palaces. Often, velvet manufacturers equipped whole caravans of ships for trade with other countries. These were wealthy and wealthy people. Still would! After all, noble fabric was delivered to the court of the king himself.

Only the richest merchants and nobles of that time could sew clothes from it. These were velvet robes, hats, shoes and accessories adorned with precious stones and metals.A scattering of pearls on the purple velvet decorations of the royal nobility was a sign of their noble origin. Queen Elizabeth and King Charles are depicted by a brush of medieval artists in expensive outfits with mantles of noble velvet.

At the moment, there are two ways of producing fabric with pile.

• The split method is that the fabric base of two canvases is fastened by cutting fibrous bonds. A flat seamy part is formed and a “terry” part is obverse.

• The loop method is obtained by pulling the loops from a knitted fabric base, followed by cutting them. It turns out a characteristic structural iridescent surface.

Velvet fabric obtained by any of the described methods is dyed and decorated with embroidery, embossed, and also printed in a pattern or ornament. Velvet fibers are mixed with a pile of fabrics of various structures. So it turns out suede - artificial leather; velor - an analogue of the skin, soft on one side and smooth on the other; plush - material with a shaggy long pile, velveteen - fabric with a fleece hem.

Accessories and clothes, household items and home textiles are made from velvet: decorative pillows, stoles, drapes and tablecloths, canopies and bedspreads, as well as upholstery and decoration. In jewelry stores, jewelry is laid out on a velvet basis, as this material gently reflects light, emphasizing the advantages of jewelry made of gold, silver or platinum.

In the theater and film industry, velvet material plays an important role in creating historical images. Costumes are sewn from it and the decor is formed.

Velvet fabric is one-sided - with a pile located only on the front side, and two-sided - when there is a pile on both sides, with stretch threads, as well as combined with elements of a pattern or ornament.

For the production of velvet fabrics, special technologies are used, thanks to which all new types of fabrics appear. The most common ones.

• Velvet eraser known as velveteen. This is a natural ribbed fabric with weft weaving. The size (step) of the scar depends on the quality of the fabric, its density and method of production.

• Semi-velvet - This is the same velvet, only with a sheared pile.

• Velvet chiffon has a thin airy fabric structure. It includes panne velvet on silk threads with a radiant surface.

• Sisal - a kind of velvet on a looped basis.

• Bagheera - A kind of fabric with a particularly strong structure, rough to the touch. It got its name because of its resemblance to a woolen skin of an animal.

• Devore - also a type of velvet fabric on a silk basis with the addition of viscose yarns, allowing the production of fabric with patterns on the surface.

• Lyon Velvet differs in the hard status of the fabric, consisting of artificial or natural silk with the addition of cotton and synthetic yarns.

• Pearl Velvet refers to the most valuable types of fabrics, since it basically contains only natural silk. Thanks to this, it has a distinctive name.

This is not the whole list of velvet types. Modern developments and an innovative approach provide for the receipt of new varieties of this material.

There are so-called analogues of velvet: plush fabric - a cheaper analogue based on synthetics, as well as velor with stretch - an elastic hygroscopic material, specially designed to optimize the use in fashion sportswear lines.

Previously, velvet fabrics had only a limited range of colors. Often they were stained in purple or dark blue.Dresses, decorations and outfits of this palette we see on the canvases of historical eras of ancient times.

But today the colors of this type of fabric can be different: red, black, white, blue, green, yellow, pink or red. All of them depend on dyes and the method of staining. Manufacturers use textile colors on a natural and synthetic basis, and also dye them with polymers and new innovations in golden and silver tones.

Whatever type of fabric you use in everyday life, clothing or accessories, follow the general rules for caring for things from this type, based on its advantages and disadvantages.

The quality of velvet material has worked well for a long time. This material has a number of advantages, advantages and positive properties:

• not electrified;

• hypoallergenic;

• aesthetic

• practical and easy to use;

• possesses soundproofing properties.

Velvet is considered capricious material, requires careful attitude and special care. It is necessary to properly store and be able to clean velvet products, for this There are a number of rules based on material properties:

• Vacuuming is enough to remove dust. Upholstered furniture is covered with wet gauze and cleaned with light taps. You can also do with home textiles and clothing.
• No need to wash velvet items often. Erase delicate fabric exclusively by hand, in warm water with a special mild detergent. After that, they do not squeeze it out, but put it on a terry towel to remove water, and only then it is dried, carefully laid out on a horizontal surface. When the fabric dries, things are hung up and dried away from sunlight.
• In the care of things you should avoid aggressive cleaning and detergents, as well as all kinds of sprays and conditioners. You should also not irrigate things from this type of fabric with your favorite aromas. Essential oils, getting on clothes, are difficult to remove and over time, instead of aroma, unpleasant odors emit.
• Ironing things from velvet is not recommended. For this, special steamers are used. After that, the fabric is combed with a medium hard brush with gentle movements in the direction of the pile.
• You can not fold velvet things. This fabric does not tolerate creases and deformations. If you decide to put things in storage, it is best to hang them on their shoulders, turning inside out and putting them in a closet. In no case do not fold them in two, three or four, or the threads of the fabric can simply break.
• In case of serious contamination, as well as to remove stubborn stains, it is better to leave the product from velvet for dry cleaning. So you save the thing for years to come.

Ideal in everyday life, this type of fabric is rarely used in public places. For example, in the restaurant and hotel sectors it is not applicable due to the ability to absorb dust, dirt and odors. Caring for these kinds of things - upholstery, tablecloths and curtains, is always very expensive. Therefore, often in the interior of this kind use analogues of delicate fabric.

A feature of velvet is the ability to overload space. Therefore, it is not used for decoration of small rooms. The fabric requires a lot of space. Its qualities - to refract, muffle and emphasize light - are favorably played out in halls and chamber spaces. Do not forget that this fabric, as well as things with its use, can visually reduce space. The noble coating is not suitable for finishing a children's room or kitchen.

Among the features of this material are the following:

• high hygroscopicity: velvet quickly collects dust and dries for a long time;

• loses color from the sun;

• sewing things is complicated due to the difficulty in sewing items of clothing, therefore, this material is often worked on manually or on special sewing machines (in the old days seamstresses did this);

• velvet products need a lining frame due to fabric wear.

If you take into account the characteristics of this material and properly care for it, then you can successfully use velvet products for a long time.

Velvet fabric is used in different ways.

• To decorate the space and create historical styles, designers fit upholstered furniture and chairs with velvet fabrics in a single color scheme. They use the property of fabrics in complex draperies, furniture covers, wall panels and floor coverings; create jacquard patterns from velvet appliqués and paintings, decorate window and doorways, arches and stylized buttresses of interior spaces.

• As a stole, a canopy and bedspreads in bedrooms. The fabric, acting as a shield against light and sound, creates a cozy, soothing atmosphere.

• As a curtain screen for distinguishing zones of space in the interior.

• As a wall covering - bedspreads in the best traditions of the Baroque style.

• As an element of the interior. Velvet is used to decorate lamps, sconces, figurines, pillows and rollers, using in combination with satin, organza, taffeta and silk. Decorate things like real works of art: beads, loose crystals and semiprecious stones, gilding. Velvet successfully combines with silk fringe, tassels, ribbons, lace, braid and other decor.

• As accessories, they mainly adhere to two directions: eclecticism and retrospectives. Fashion trends are represented by accessories in the form of handbags, stoles, scarves and shoes with chic elements: velvet, satin and silk, decorated with fur, leather, suede and bugles for expensive jewelry.

• Fashion lines of famous designer houses such as Burberry, Lacoste, Prada, Gucci, Christian Dior, Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Versace, Colin's and others often use a velvet theme to create bright images of modern comfortable clothes. The velvet roses of Gianni Versace, conquering the world in the 80s of the last century, still adorn the evening toilets of many American stars.

• Napoleon Bonaparte was the first ruler to introduce velvet to his army uniforms. Camisoles a la Napoleon are still used as a basis in fashion shows and demonstrations, and they are also included in the collections of world clothing brands.

• Combining velvet with stretch, create a "reaped", pleated fabric on a noble basis.

• People do not want to part with velvet, so the designers introduced it into everyday life. Now, from this fabric, they sew not only chic wrap dresses, all kinds of evening dresses and business suits, but also home clothes: pajamas, bathrobes and slippers.

Refined, elite, noble, elegant and at the same time practical, this type of fabric is deservedly considered an element of luxury and wealth. He will not leave anyone indifferent. Anyone who once touched it, felt an unusual softness, coolness and charm of its surface and amazing structure, he will not want to continue to part with these sensations.

The use of velvet in everyday life has become commonplace. Now things from this valuable material can not only afford the representatives of the royal dynasty. This material has its own character, rich history and requires a special attitude, taste and respect. Therefore, with skillful handling, he is able to become not only an adornment, but also a practical addition to clothing or the interior.

The use of velvet fabric requires special skills.Velvet is used as a material for sewing dresses, curtains, as well as decorative elements in the interior.

An overview of velvet fabrics is presented in the next video.