Information About Velour Fabric

Quick Tip
Due to its smooth and slippery texture, velour is quite challenging to cut and sew. It is recommended, that one should place some tissue between two layers of fabric. This will help to pin the side seams together, making the job much easier.

Velour is plush fabric that is knitted or woven either from cotton or certain synthetic materials such as polyester or rayon. It is widely used to make upholstery and clothes such as car seat covers and leotards.

It is manufactured similar to a terry knit, but unlike terry knit clothes, the loops of thread are cut, which give it a rich texture that is similar to velvet.

The fabric is usually stretchy in nature, and it is created in various warm and beautiful colors, which make it ideal for dance wear or different kinds of casual clothing. It is also used to substitute velvet, especially when creating upholstery such as curtains or car furnishings. Let us now learn about the history and the invention of this unique fabric.

Velour History
The manufacture of velour can be traced backed to the 1840s. This occurred due to the start of mass production of cloth bolts. The plain or satin weave gave the cloth a pebbled effect. Due to the popularity of the cloth, soon a wide range of velour fabrics such as cotton, ribbed, wool, and polyester velour became available.

Velour clothing became exceedingly trendy after rock groups such as the Bee Gees wore it in the 1970s. The fabric was even used to create sportswear by reputed brands such as Adidas. The fashion waned in the 1980s and '90s, but reemerged in the new century when Jennifer Lopez launched a velour clothing line.

• Manufacture:The construction of velour is done by using the filling-pile method, in either a plain weave or a satin weave pattern. 

The contents, such as plain or twill cotton, are weaved to create the base and extra fillings are floated to create the fabric's raised, textured design. The thread loops are then cut to give it the final touch.

• Appearance: Velour is a medium-weight, closely woven fabric with a dense pile. The threads of velour are mostly of the same height, this property helps to maintain a velvet-like look. Like velvet, one side of the fabric is flat, while the other side has the pile. However, the pile is much shorter than that of true velvet. Velour is almost always iridescent.

This means that the cloth might appear to have a range of color variations. The cloth can also acquire seat sheen due to body warmth, pressure, moisture, etc., making it appear like the surface is marked depending on how the light falls on the fabric.

• Fabric Behavior: The cloth is bulky, has a good chance of shrinking, is variably stretchable. It tends to wear badly when two pile sides are stitched together. The cloth pills and snags quite easily, and buttonholes can get out of shape. Stitching with the cloth is tough as it dulls the needle quite often and raw edges tend to curl severely.

• Velour is widely used to make dance wear due to its stretchability.
• This material is used to manufacture many kinds of drapes/curtains.
• Velour is also used to make pillow and mattress covers, especially those with memory foam.

• Modern versions of velour are flame retardant in nature, making them useful for varied applications.
• Velour is also used to create sports or casual wear.
• It is also used to upholster vehicles due to its resistance to damage.

• Brush all velour upholstery once every month using a suede brush. This will help in removing dust particles that collect on the surface without damaging the cloth.

• Always wash velour fabrics with mild, clear soap and warm water. It is best to soak the cloth in water, followed by a gentle but thorough rubbing with some muslin. Muslin will not cause any harm to your velour items. Alternately, you can use dry shampoo for cleaning stains. It is especially good for upholstered settings.

• Velour garments tend to bleed their color, hence it is advised to wash these clothes separately.
• Tumble drying the cloth is the best method that will not cause any damage. Alternately, hang the cloth in indirect sunlight.

• Rubbing the fabric with a suede brush after it is dry will help to restore its rich, soft feel.
• Shake out any dust and dirt from your velour curtains once a month, gently but firmly.
• It is also a good idea to use a vacuum cleaner once a month to get all stubborn grit out of the velour upholstery items.

• Avoid using high-heat cleaners such as steam cleaning apparatuses for velour fabrics.
• Always store velour fabrics by hanging them. Folding them may damage the cloth over a period of time.

• Ironing the fabric should be done at low heat on the back.
• For best results, get your fine fabrics cleaned by a professional cleaning service.

With the aforementioned tips and instructions, you will be able to enjoy the beauty and comfort of velour for years to come. Best of luck!