Velvet is a luxurious and plush fabric characterised by its soft, downy surface and dense pile formed by thousands of short cut yarns. The underside of the fabric by contrast is a flat plain weave. Velvets can have a glamorous sheen as they catch the light at different angles, or by contrast be matt in appearance with a dryer touch.
Velvets are woven on special looms weaving two pieces of fabric at once sharing the same pile yarns. As the loom weaves and rotates, a small blade travels back and forth between the two fabrics cutting the yarns. This cutting motion creates the soft tufts of yarns referred to as the pile, and finally two separate pieces of fabric. While the pile is cut during manufacture, a distinctive pile direction is established also known as the nap – meaning that it will feel smooth in one direction.