Working with, Wearing, and Washing Velvet

Dear users, dear authors,
Do you have any tips and tricks for working with velvet?

When working with velvet, the first thing you should do is carefully check the direction of the nap, because that’s the most important thing when cutting velvet—as it is with all pile fabrics. You don’t want the right side of the jacket to brush upward and the left side downward; that doesn’t look good. It’s also a good idea to place either tape or tissue paper over the cut edges, because if anything sheds and makes a mess when you’re cutting it, it’s velvet.
Caring for velvet is also quite a challenge. If you’re going to put it in the washing machine at all, I’d only use the gentlest cycle and NEVER spin-dry it—you’ll never get those creases and wrinkles out again. It’s best to hang it up while still dripping wet and let it air dry. Ironing isn’t an option either, as the pile will break off; if you must, steam it from a distance of about 10–15 cm from the fabric. Velvet, like silk, is a luxurious fabric, but it’s just as demanding to care for.

Best regards, Inge

What exactly was that velour stuff from the ’60s? It felt kind of “velvety,” too. But since we wore it so much as kids, it can’t have been very high-maintenance. At least, I remember it being very comfortable to wear.

Veronika, Nicki velour is a knitted fabric made of 80% cotton; the knitting process makes the fabric stretchy, whereas velvet is a woven fabric—also made of cotton—and is therefore a firm fabric. Polyester was often blended into Nicki velour, since it was used extensively for children’s clothing and thus became easy to care for. The difference between velvet and Nicki velour is like night and day

Best regards, Inge

Oh, thanks, I learned something new once again.