Velvet Love
For me, velvet fabric signifies opulence, luxury, and drama.
I don't know why, but I find velvet has quite a dramatic significance for me. Possibly remembrances from going to the theatre as a child. Sitting in the darkness as giant red velvet curtains glide open to reveal a magical setting!
The fabric below is certainly magical, not just because of the vivid colours and elaborate design, but also because it's made from velvet, which takes it to another level of desirability.
🎀
l
'Leyla Velours' by Manuel Canovas
A Viscose/Cotton mix
Photo credit Manuel Canovas/Colefax& Fowler
🎀
A smidgen of history
The production of velvet dates back to 750 A.D. in Baghdad, when velvet was made from silk. It was so expensive to produce that only the wealthiest people could afford it. From the 14th century however, the development of loom technology speeded up production and reduced costs. This made velvet more accessible and no longer the preserve of royalty and aristocrats.
Today, cotton, linen, wool, mohair, and synthetic fibres are used to make velvet, ultimately making it more durable and affordable.
'Morning Gallop' by Mulberry Home
Cotton/Polyester mix
Isn't this gorgeous, the blue and green colours are delicious!
Photo credit Mulberry Home/GP&J Baker
'Fine' by Pierre Frey
100% Cotton Velvet
Photo credit Pierre Frey
The above fabric from Pierre Frey is designed by India Mahdavi. In Kashmir, velvet is known as 'Swansdown', and true to it's name 'Fine' has a delicate and luxuriously soft quality.
🎀
Silk velvet
Silk velvet is beautifully soft to the touch and drapes well on furniture, however it shouldn't be used on furnishings that take a lot of wear, or placed in direct sunlight. It's more commonly used in dressmaking for evening wear and bridal gowns. Today, pure silk velvet is still very expensive to produce. As a result, a lot of velvet labelled as ‘silk velvet’ will often contain a synthetic fibre in its composition, to make it more affordable.
🎀
Use
Perhaps because of its association with royalty, palaces and historic houses we think of velvet as an opulent, elite fabric. However, its durability means that it is well suited to upholstery, soft furnishings and curtains, and can turn a simple interior into something sumptuous and expensive looking. Velvet is not only rich in appearance and texture, but it can instantly elevate the luxury level of a room.
🎀
Sewing
Despite its splendour, I do have something of a love hate relationship with velvet. As long as I'm not the one sewing with it, it's great!
Because I love it so much, I've made a few cushions with it, and it's not easy to work with!
Because it has a pile, it tends to move when you sew it. Cotton velvet has a deep pile whereas Polyester velvet has a short pile, which personally I find easier to sew with.
I've asked lots of people for their tips on working with velvet. Several people told me that using a walking foot on the sewing machine makes it much easier to handle. Other people, and me included, say they find no difference using a walking foot.
Anyway, through gritted teeth, lots of pinning and perseverance, I managed to make the cushions.
This is the first velvet cushion I made.
I'm obviously a glutton for punishment because I went on to make another! 🤣
The cushion has a velvet back and side panels, the centre panel is a cotton fabric. The side panels were a nightmare to sew, because you're stitching the velvet to another fabric and it moves! 😠
The fabric was a cotton velvet and I found that it moved quite a bit when sewing with it.
For this cushion I used a polyester velvet, it didn't move as much and it's virtually non-crease! I love this brown and gold cushion and it sits in prime position on my blue velvet sofa 💙👑
🎀
This beauty is Cantaloupe by Sanderson
A cotton velvet, with a deep, plush pile.
It's one of several velvets I have for sale at my workshop in Herefordshire. Velvet fabrics are not available on my website because I don't like to post them out unless they are on a roll. Creased velvet isn't great and it takes a lot of work to remove the creases. Unfortunately shipping on the roll is between £40 - £70 depending on amount and weight. I know there are fabric retailers who do ship on the roll, but that's because they're medium to large size businesses and pay for courier shipping as part of a contract. As a small business that's just not viable for me. I wouldn't dream of folding a cotton velvet and shipping it. I offer the option of a one to one appointment where you can choose fabric and trimmings and take your velvet home on a roll.
A note about creasing : crushed velvet and some polyester velvets barely crease if folded carefully👌🏼
Kasbah by ILIV - quite dramatic, don't you think?
Polyester velvet remnant
Available from my workshop
Crocodilia by Becca Who
Polyester velvet remnant
Available from my workshop
Cabaret by ILIV
This is a Polyester velvet, less creasing with a shorter pile
Available from my workshop
🎀
Below are a few velvet cushion covers I currently have on the website
Fredensborg cut velvet cushion covers from Designers Guild
You can find this set of 3 in the Home Decor section of this website
Polyester/Viscose mix fabric
Pink & Orange Designer Fabric Cushion Cover
The reverse of this cushion is Varese, a cotton velvet from Designers Guild
Available in the Home Decor section of this website
🎀
And finally ...
As Christmas draws near, there's no better textile to decorate with.
Just think of the soft, velvet-like leaves of Poinsettias, red velvet bows on Christmas garlands and velvet stockings hanging on the fireplace mantel.
🎀🎀🎀
Are you tempted by velvet?
Or already a velvet lover?
Get Sewing & Be Creative 🧵🪡
All photos are my own unless stated otherwise
Gaynor 💝