APPAREL VELVET

Velvet can be made from a variety of fibers, including silk, rayon, acetate and cotton. Each type of fiber produces a slightly different type of velvet fabric. Silk velvet is the most elegant and expensive type, with a soft drape and shimmering surface. Synthetic velvets made from rayon and acetate simulate the shimmer of silk velvet, but are generally heavier and do not drape as well. There are some velvet fabrics available that are made with a rayon pile on a silk backing. This combines the best of both worlds, with the drape of silk in a less expensive fabric. Cotton velvet, often referred to as velveteen, is the sturdiest and most durable type of velvet. The surface of cotton velvet has more of a soft sheen and less of the shimmer of silk or synthetic velvet.