Tufted and Smooth Velvet Fabric

Velvet is a fabric of a tufted nature which has cut threads spaced evenly yet densely across the surface, which gives the fabric a soft, smooth and lush texture. Originally, velvet was made from silk although cotton, linen, wool and mohair were also used intensively as time progressed. However, the most recent types of velvet are made using synthetic fabrics like rayon. This change has been brought in to reduce the production cost of this rich fabric. The difference in prices between the silk variant and the synthetic variant can be as stark as INR 10,000 and INR 1000, respectively. Such is the smoothness in texture, that the word velvety has been incorporated into the English lexicon to describe something extremely soft.

The production process of velvet fabric was so intricate, elaborate and thus costly, in the earlier times that only royalty could afford to wear it. However, the industrial revolution saw the creation of a special kind of loom that creates two layers of thickness at the same time.

There are many types of velvet dresses that have been brought heavily into use in Indian ethnic attire. Devore velvet, the classiest variety is used to create evening dresses and jackets along with scarves. Velveteen too is luscious and is used in the making of kids wear, dresses and trousers. Embossed velvet as the name suggests features designs and patterns on it made by embossing motifs. Crushed and plain velvet are differentiated from the other types based on their texture. Hammered velvet is similar to crushed velvet in the sense that it is pressed down, however it does retain some volume in contrast to crushed velvet.

There is no dearth of the number of ethnic wear items that can be made using velvet. Right from apparel like anarkali suits, sarees, lehengas, sherwanis to accessories like clutches and footwear like mojaris and jooties, almost all ethnic wear items can be made from velvet.