Velvet has long been associated with elegance, depth, and a rich tactile experience. Whether it’s silk velvet fabric for eveningwear or devore velvet for unique textures, this luxurious material continues to inspire both sewists and fashion brands.
In this guide, you’ll learn what velvet fabric is, how it’s made, the most common velvet fabric uses, and what to look for when buying velvet fabric by the yard.
What Is Velvet Fabric?
Velvet is a luxury fabric known for its dense pile, soft hand-feel, and signature shine. It has a smooth yet dimensional surface that gives it a unique velvet fabric texture, often described as plush, rich, and ultra-soft.
Modern velvet can be made from multiple fibers, including:
- Silk Velvet
- Cotton Velvet
- Rayon Velvet
- Polyester Velvet
- Blended Velvet
When made with silk or mulberry silk, velvet becomes exceptionally soft and fluid, often categorized as Premium Velvet.
History of Velvet Fabric
Velvet has one of the richest histories in the textile world. Its origins trace back to ancient Egypt, where early forms of pile fabrics were prized for their softness and depth. But velvet truly rose to fame during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, becoming a symbol of royalty, aristocracy, and extreme wealth.
Because velvet was traditionally woven from pure silk and required skilled craftsmanship, it was incredibly expensive. Kings, queens, and noble families across Europe and Asia used velvet for ceremonial robes, palace interiors, and religious garments. In Italy especially Venice, Florence, and Genoa, velvet weaving became an art form, with patterns featuring gold thread, floral motifs, and deep jewel tones that only the elite could afford.
As weaving technology evolved in the 18th and 19th centuries, new fibers like cotton and later viscose made velvet more accessible to everyday people. By the 20th century, synthetic blends widened availability even further, allowing designers to use velvet for both luxury fashion and modern ready-to-wear.
Today, velvet remains closely tied to elegance and richness, whether it’s silk velvet evening gowns, velvet blazers, or devore velvet for special occasions. It continues to carry the same timeless allure that once captivated kings and aristocrats but now in forms accessible to sewists, designers, and fashion lovers everywhere.
How Velvet Fabric Is Made
Velvet is made using a special warp-pile weaving method, which creates the soft, upright pile that velvet is known for. The fabric is woven with two layers at the same time, using extra warp yarns. Once weaving is done, the two layers are carefully cut apart, and this cut creates the smooth, plush pile. After cutting, the surface is brushed and finished to bring out the classic shine and luxury feel.
This method is called a warp-cut pile (cutting happens along horizontal lines in the warp direction), which is why velvet has such a smooth, even texture and beautiful drape.
Velveteen is often grouped together with velvet, but the technique is slightly different. Instead of using warp yarns, velveteen uses weft pile yarns, which are cut to create the pile. This produces a denser, more matte finish, great for structured garments but less shiny and fluid than true velvet. It’s similar in idea (cutting yarns to form pile), but the construction is weft-cut rather than warp-cut.
How Velour Is Made
Velour is made differently from both velvet and velveteen. Instead of being woven and cut, velour is usually knitted, which gives it natural stretch and a softer, plush feel. After knitting, the loops on the surface are sheared, creating a short, even pile. This makes velour stretchy, comfortable, and ideal for loungewear, hoodies, dresses, and dancewear.
Quick comparison
- Velvet: Woven, warp-cut pile, shiny, drapey
- Velveteen: Woven, weft-cut pile, matte, structured
- Velour: Knitted, sheared pile, stretchy, soft
Difference Between Velvet vs. Velveteen vs. Velour
| Feature | Velvet | Velveteen | Velour |
| Pile Direction | Warp pile (Vertical) | Weft pile (Horizontal) | Knit pile (not woven) |
| How It’s Made | Double-woven layers; warp loops are cut to form pile | Single woven fabric; extra weft floats are cut | Knitted fabric (usually pile knit); loops are sheared |
| Main Fibers Used | Silk, rayon, polyester, blends, cotton | Mostly cotton or cotton blends | Polyester, cotton blends, spandex for stretch |
| Look / Shine | High sheen, reflective | Matte, low sheen | Medium sheen, soft and plush |
| Texture | Smooth, fluid, luxurious | Dense, soft, more rigid | Stretchy, plush, velvety feel |
| Drape | Fluid and elegant | Heavier, structured | Soft, stretchy drape |
| Stretch | Usually little to none unless blended | Very minimal or no stretch | Naturally stretchy due to knit structure |
| Weight | Light to medium, depending on fiber | Medium to heavy | Medium weight |
| Typical Uses | Eveningwear, luxury dresses, gowns, blouses, scarves | Jackets, skirts, trousers, vintage-inspired garments | Loungewear, tracksuits, activewear, kidswear, costumes |
| Cost / Price Point | Highest — especially silk velvet or mulberry silk velvet | Moderate — cheaper than velvet | Usually lower to moderate |
| Best For | Luxury Velvet looks, draped garments, special occasions | Structured pieces with a plush matte surface | Comfortable, stretchy garments; casualwear |
4 Key Types of Velvet Fabric
1. Silk Velvet (Mulberry Silk Velvet)
Lightweight, fluid, and lustrous. Ideal for luxury dresses and eveningwear.
2. Cotton Velvet
Soft with a matte finish and extra body. Popular for jackets, trousers, and structured garments.
3. Devore Velvet (Burnout Velvet)
Features patterned semi-sheer areas created by a chemical burnout process. Beautiful for tops, wraps, and occasionwear.
4. Synthetic or Blended Velvet
Often made from polyester or rayon. More affordable, durable, and available in a wider range of colors especially popular in velvet fabric black for basics.
Pros and Cons of Velvet Fabric
Velvet is admired for its luxurious texture and elegant drape, but like all fabrics, it has strengths and limitations. Below is a practical breakdown to help sewists and fashion brands decide when velvet is the right choice for their garments.
Pros of Velvet Fabric
- Luxurious appearance: Its rich pile and natural sheen make it perfect for evening dresses, holiday outfits, and red-carpet style gowns.
- Beautiful drape: Silk velvet and rayon blends flow softly, ideal for bias dresses, wrap tops, and fluid skirts.
- Rich color payoff: Velvet absorbs dye deeply, giving stunning jewel tones and dramatic velvet fabric black for statement pieces.
- Soft hand-feel: Comfortable for tops, blouses, and loungewear with a premium feel.
- Versatile across types: Cotton velvet adds body for blazers and trousers, while stretch velvet is great for fitted dresses and jumpsuits.
Cons of Velvet Fabric
- Can be harder to sew: The pile can shift, making it trickier for beginners when sewing dresses or tailored pieces. See tips on how to sew with velvet.
- Prone to bruising: Heat and pressure can crush the pile, especially in structured garments like jackets.
- Usually warmer: Velvet holds warmth, which may not suit spring-summer designs.
- Higher cost for luxury versions: Silk velvet and mulberry silk velvet can be expensive for large or budget collections.
- Requires careful care: Many velvet garments need gentle washing or dry cleaning, especially gowns and formalwear.
6 Clothing & Garment Uses of Velvet Fabric
1. Dresses and Gowns
Silk velvet fabric creates romantic, fluid dresses perfect for special events.
2. Tops and Blouses
Lightweight velvets (especially rayon-silk blends) drape beautifully for statement tops.
3. Jackets and Blazers
Cotton velvet fabric offers structure and warmth, making it ideal for outerwear.
4. Skirts
From A-line cuts to bias designs, velvet adds depth and movement.
5. Pants and Jumpsuits
Stretch velvet brings comfort along with elegance.
6. Holiday and Eveningwear
Black velvet fabric is timeless and always in demand for party seasons.
Where to Buy Velvet Fabric & Buying Tips
If you're shopping for velvet fabric by the yard, here are tips for both sewists and fashion brands:
For Sewists
-
Check fabric weight
Lighter velvet drapes beautifully for dresses, while heavier velvet works better for jackets or skirts. -
If choosing silk velvet, check the momme
Higher momme = more luxurious, denser, and smoother. Great for eveningwear. -
Choose the right style
Velvet comes in solids, prints, devore (burnout), and stretch velvet. Pick the type that best matches your project. -
Check stretch direction
Some velvets stretch in one direction or both. This affects fit, especially for fitted garments. -
Always request swatches
Velvet texture varies a lot, so touching it helps you compare pile height, softness, and shine. -
Be careful with heat
Do a pressing test — velvet can bruise or flatten under high heat.
For Fashion Brands
-
Check technical specs
Ask for GSM, fiber breakdown, and if it’s warp-cut or weft-cut. -
If using silk velvet, confirm the momme rating
This helps plan cost, drape, and quality across a full collection. -
Review color types
Solid colors, digital prints, burnout devore, and textured velvets may behave differently in production. -
Request swatches or samples
Velvet varies widely between mills, so always compare hand-feel, pile uniformity, and shine before sampling. -
Check stretch and recoverability
For fitted dresses, jumpsuits, and eveningwear, this is crucial. -
Confirm wholesale pricing & bulk discounts
Many suppliers offer better pricing for brands producing larger quantities. -
Verify lead times and minimums
Especially important when planning seasonal or holiday collections.
What Types of Velvet Fabric Does Yardblox Offer?
Yardblox offers a curated selection of high-quality velvets, available by the yard with low minimums for both sewists and brands:
Mulberry Silk Velvet Fabric by the yard
Soft, fluid, and luxurious ideal for premium garments. Shop here
Devore Velvet Fabric by the yard
Beautiful burnout patterns for elegant tops and statement pieces. Shop here
Solid Velvet Fabric by the yard
Rich colors and premium texture suitable for a wide range of clothing. Shop here
Velvet Prints Fabric by the yard
Eye-catching designs perfect for unique, one-of-a-kind garments. Shop here
Whether you’re creating eveningwear, holiday designs, or everyday luxury pieces, Yardblox provides Premium Velvet options tailored for modern fashion makers.
