Velvet Fabric 101: Origin, Types & Luxurious Velvet Kurtas You Must Own

When it comes to fabric, Velvet has always been the epitome of richness and elegance which is why it is widely used in clothing, especially winter wear. This guide will take a look into the history of velvet fabric, its types, velvet fabric texture, and the reasons why one should add velvet kurtas to their wardrobe.

What is Velvet Fabric?

Velvet is a soft, glossy, and decorative fabric with a unique texture. It is curated by combining silk, cotton, and different synthetic fibres, which add to its vibrant look and feel. The richness and shine of the velvet work fabric make it a perfect fit for creating clothing pieces for gala events and weddings. 

What is Velvet Fabric Made Of?

Traditionally, velvet fabric is made from silk, but nowadays, designers are trying and testing various affordable alternatives curated using fibres like cotton and polyester. The type of materials used influences the feel of the fabric, its longevity and the pricing. For example, silk embroidered velvet fabric is soft and shiny while cotton velvet is stiff and quite thick, and thus it is more appropriate for everyday use.

History and Origin Of Velvet

Velvet is an elegant fabric whose origin dates back to 2000 BCE. It is believed to have originated in ancient Egypt, where pile weave fabrics, which have many properties similar to velvet, were created. Velvet fabric got into mass production in the Middle East and Europe. Aristocracy was often associated with velvet and its fabrics were used for dressing the royals and church archbishops. 

How Is Velvet Made?

Creating velvet involves a series of organised steps, which are summarised below: 

• Yarn Preparation: The first stage involves preparing two types of yarns - warp yarn and weft yarn. The warp yarns are then attached to a loom while the weft yarns are woven in and out of the warp. 
• Weaving: Velvet is made in a special loom which makes two layers of fabric at the same time. In between these layers, a third set of yarns called pile yarns is woven to create a loop. 
• Cutting: Thereafter, the loops are ribbed using a knife, bringing out the features of velvet material.
• Dyeing and Finishing: Finally the fabric is dyed and finishing processes like brushing and steaming are carried out to improve its texture and look.

People love wearing velvet clothes mostly in winter, festive, or wedding season. To wrap yourself in the sheer elegance of velvet during this winter, check out the winter collection for women from the House of Chikankari.

What Is the Difference Between Velvet, Velveteen, and Velour?

Velvet, velveteen, and velour have many things in common. However, each of these three fabrics has its own distinguishing features in terms of weaving, raw materials, and purpose. 

1. Velveteen: It is a cotton pile fabric that resembles velvet. It is usually made of cotton or cotton blends and has a much denser pile formed by weft threads. This weaving process makes it a stiffer and more break-resistant fabric than velvet. It also lacks the gloss and heaviness of velvet which makes it suitable for active wear.

2. Velour: Velour is made of a knit fabric, which is frequently a combination of cotton and polyester, giving both stretch and adaptability which velvet and velveteen cannot achieve. Similar to velvet, velour features a soft pile. It is widely used in sports and dance clothing.

Types of Velvet Fabric

There are different types of velvet fabric, some of which are explained below: 

• Crushed Velvet: This type of velvet fabric has a 'crushed' look with a shiny textured surface. The crushed look is made by twisting the fabric or pressing the pile in different directions. 

• Panne Velvet: This is a type of crushed velvet where the pile is all pushed in one direction using heavy weight to make it glossy. This process can be applied in velour, although it is made using polyester. 

• Embossed Velvet: Embossed velvet is sometimes called engraved velvet because it has designs imprinted with the help of heat stamping. It is widely used in home furnishing and textiles. 

• Ciselé Velvet: The speciality of ciselé velvet is the textured and patterned surface. This is achieved by cutting some loops of threads and leaving the other threads to create a pattern on the fabric. 

• Plain velvet: This velvet fabric is normally made from cotton. This type of velvets are stiffer with less shine than silk or synthetic ones.  

If you are a fashion enthusiast and want to amp up your wardrobe with rich fabrics then, check out our collection of chikankari kurti and short kurti for women available in luxe fabrics like silk, cotton, muslin, mulmul and many others.

Opulent Velvet Kurtas You Must Own From House Of Chikankari

The House of Chikankari presents a collection of opulent velvet kurtas that uplift your beauty and grace by offering old traditional designs with a contemporary touch. 

• Velvet Chikankari Solid Women's 2 PC Long Kurta Set - Maroon

This uniquely designed elegant maroon velvet kurta set for women can be an heirloom piece in your wardrobe for its timeless charm. It comes with a long kurta and a pair of matching bottoms with similar hand-embroidered motifs, offering a classic look to remain in your album of memories forever.  

• Rumi Embroidered Velvet A-line Kurta Set

This Rumi Embroidered Velvet A-line Kurta Set is filled with delicate embroidery to give a sophisticated look that complements the opulence of the velvet fabric suited for optimum use during special functions. The flowy pattern adds volume to the look, ensuring you steal all the gazes at any event. 

• Rumi Chikankari Velvet Straight Kurta Set

Are you all smitten by everything black? Then, our Rumi Chikankari Velvet Black kurta set deserves your love. This luxurious combination has beautiful floral motifs that easily brighten up your look. Be it a party or a wedding, this makes a precise choice for a simple yet trailblazing look. 

As autumn is here, get your hands on woollen kurtis of the House of Chikankari. These clothes are absolutely functional pieces that can keep you warm and stylish in winter. 

How To Care For Velvet Clothes

To maintain velvet’s appealing look, one has to be extremely careful while handling the material. 

• Always pay attention to the care label before any washing procedures. 
• It is advisable to have velvet clothes dry-cleaned. 
• If you are washing it at home, use cold water with a gentle cycle and do not twist the fabric after washing.

Conclusion

Velvet is among the most-loved fabrics for standing out in a winter wedding. This dense fabric has won over many hearts for centuries, thanks to its gorgeous shine and sheer beauty. With intricate motifs and a distinctive cushiony feel, this fabric is here to stay. To get the best outfits made to perfection using velvet, check out the velvet kurta set collection exclusively created by the House of Chikankari. You can even find a great assortment of Chikankari clothing like chikankari kurta sets and more that can redefine your persona effortlessly. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What velvet is considered best for winters?

For winter, cotton or woollen velvet is considered the perfect fabric as it is stylish plus it keeps you warm.

Why do people love Velvet? 

Velvet is a favourite for many because of its richness which gives you a captivating look that fits glamorous events.

Why is Velvet Luxurious? 

Velvet is often related to nobility and wealth. Its soft and smooth texture, thanks to the rich silks and cotton fabrics adds a fabulous shine, making it look like royalty. 

What are the qualities of Velvet? 

Velvet is the softest of high-stretch fabrics. It is also torn and cut-resistant with high colour retention capacity. With that, it is a good insulator, ideal for winter occasions. 

What is unique about red velvet?

Red velvet symbolises royalty for its captivating look. It has a smooth and lustrous feel and look that makes it one of a kind.