Editing Velvet (section)

== Construction and composition ==
[[File:Velvet warp crop.svg|thumb|Face-to-face method of weaving. A knife cuts through the middle during weaving to produce two layers of velvet cloth.]]

Velvet is woven on a special [[loom]] that weaves two thicknesses of the material at the same time; the two layers are connected with an extra warp yarn that is woven over rods or wires.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Reath |first=Nancy Andrews |title=Weaves in Hand-Loom Fabrics |journal=Bulletin of the Pennsylvania Museum |date=April 1927 |volume=22 |issue=112 |pages=358–366 |doi=10.2307/3794632 |jstor=3794632 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3794632 |access-date=23 January 2024}}</ref> The two pieces are then cut apart to create the fabric's pile, and the two lengths of fabric are wound on separate take-up rolls. This complicated process meant that velvet was expensive to make before industrial power looms became available, and well-made velvet remains a fairly costly fabric. Velvet is difficult to clean because of its pile, but modern [[dry cleaning]] methods make cleaning more feasible. Velvet pile is created by cutting the [[warp (weaving)|warp]] yarns, while [[velveteen]] pile is created by cutting the [[weft]] yarns.

Velvet can be made from several different kinds of fibers, the most expensive of which is [[silk]]. Much of the velvet sold today as "silk velvet" is a blend of silk and another fiber, often [[rayon]] or [[cotton]].<ref name="Stauffer2004">{{cite book|author=Jeanne Stauffer|title=Sewing Smart with Fabric|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8_-NkR8TEyEC&pg=PA73|date=1 January 2004|publisher=DRG Wholesale|isbn=978-1-59217-018-0|page=73}}</ref> Velvet made entirely from silk is rare and usually has market prices of several hundred US dollars per yard. [[Cotton]] is also used to make velvet, though this often results in a less luxurious fabric. Velvet can also be made from fibers such as [[linen]], [[mohair]], and [[wool]]. A cloth made by the [[Kuba Kingdom|Kuba]] people of the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]] from the [[raffia palm]] is often referred to as [[Velours du Kasai|"Kuba velvet"]]. Modern velvet can be [[polyester]], [[nylon]], [[viscose]], [[acetate]], or blends of synthetics and natural fibers (for example, viscose mixed with silk produces a very soft, reflective fabric). A small percentage of [[spandex]] is sometimes added to give the final material a certain amount of stretch (hence "stretch velvet").<ref>{{cite web |title=What Is Velvet? A Guide to the Different Types of Velvet |url=https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-velvet |website=MasterClass |access-date=23 January 2024}}</ref>

Velvet has a thick pile and can be cut 'pile up' or 'pile down' for more shine or more saturated color.<ref>{{cite web |title=Velvet vs Velour vs Velveteen: how to Choose, Sew and Care |url=https://www.dalstonmillfabrics.co.uk/fabric-blog/velvet-vs-velour-vs-velveteen-how-to-choose-sew-and-care |website=Dalston Mill Fabrics |access-date=23 January 2024}}</ref>