How Is Velveteen Made?
Velveteen is a woven fabric created from cotton and is often affixed to a seat back that may be twill. Velveteen is a napped fabric used for upholstery, crafts, clothing and stage costumes. Velveteen lays flatter than velvet, which has a higher pile.
-
Weft-Pile Construction
-
Weavers of velveteen weave weft (horizontally located fibers) through the stationary warp fibers. Another name for the weft fibers is float fibers. The float fibers of velveteen are long.
Cut Pile
-
After completion of the weaving process, the fabric makers cut the velveteen's floats or weft fibers lengthwise in an even way throughout the fabric. The fabric makers cut the weft fibers close to the surface of the backing, making velveteen a shorter-pile fabric than velvet.
-
Finishing
-
Following the weaving and cutting process, fabric makers brush and crop the material. Brushes add dye and a luster finish to the fabric. Fabric makers may also mercerize the velveteen. Mercerizing involves soaking the fabric in caustic soda followed by an acid bath. Mercerized material accepts dye more easily and its finish has an increased luster.
Fabric Nap
-
Velveteen, like all cut pile fabrics, is a napped fabric. Napped fabric looks different from various angles. When sewing velveteen, all pieces must be cut in the same direction.
Four Types of Velveteen
-
Velveteen comes in four different types. Plain velveteen has an even pile. Weft plushes are similar to plain velveteen but with longer floats. Corduroy contains vertically oriented ribs. Figured velveteens are woven on a base.
-
References
- Photo Credit antique bench image by Ivonne Wierink from Fotolia.com
