For the Love of Velvet
For anyone wanting to add everlasting interest to their home, you can’t look past velvet! This is a fabric that’s as rich in textile history as it is in texture with incredible durability that may surprise you.
Velvet fabric fuses a historical sense of luxury and indulgence with a plush, practical comfort that has a timeless style, sure to outlast any momentary design trends. With its silky sheen and rich colours, velvet holds a specific seductive quality that no eye for elegance can resist the allure of.
For a fabric that feels like a soft, buttery hug the unique piles have a hard-wearing quality that will ensure your velvet curtains, cushions or furniture will continue to be loud and daring or subtly sophisticated for years to come.
History of Velvet
The history of velvet is one of luxury and meticulous construction. It is believed the material was first introduced in Baghdad around 750 A.D. The original velvet material was made from silk and therefore naturally reserved for royalty and other notably wealthy classes that could afford the exorbitant cost.
Velvet eventually travelled to Europe on the Silk Road and gained popularity during the Renaissance. At the same time, new loom technology lowered the production costs and therefore widened the availability to fabric lovers of all classes. Fast-forward to the 21st century and velvet fabric can be found in almost every home, transcending and outlasting interior trends to suit any home decor for years on end.
How is Velvet Made?
Velvet is made in a very unique way. It is woven on a double piece loom that makes two pieces of fabric simultaneously with the velvet pile encased in the middle. It is then separated, creating the three-dimensional texture velvet is known for.
While the first velvets were made from silk, more recent adaptations in the production process means velvets can now be made from natural or synthetic fibres such as polyester, nylon, viscose, or rayon.
Classic plain velvet will then be sheared to ensure the pile is a consistent length and often brushed while moist to achieve a nice uniform grain across the fabric. If the fabric is destined to boast a pattern, at this point in the process it will be crushed, embossed or snipped to different lengths to ensure this pattern is part of the pile’s identity for the life of the fabric.
Velvet is then dyed to produce amazing, rich colours that are accentuated by the three-dimensional texture.
Durability of Velvet
Due to the aura of luxury surrounding velvet and the fact that it was originally made from silk, there’s a preconception that it’s delicate and requires gentle, loving care to stay pristine. We’re here to set the record straight!
Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...
Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
Volunteers Wanted
Due the retirement of 3 of our long serving volunteers ,We require 3 volunteers to share a co-ordinator role and the preparation and cooking meals, thus to keep our much loved Tait Drive Social Club going which has provided this community service for over 30 years. We provide social connection for many of our senior people. Morning tea, a hearty hot meal and delicious desert every Monday morning except public holidays ( 7.30_ 8am to 1pm ) For further information contact. Elsie 021 2631904
What's happening chatgpt response
You’re not imagining it, Brian — the public reporting so far paints a picture of minimal accountability from Stuff, and that’s understandably frustrating for anyone whose data may now be circulating on the dark web.
Here’s what the verified sources actually show.
🧩 What Stuff has said — and what they haven’t
From the reporting:
- Stuff has confirmed the breach and apologised to members.
- They’ve said the breach was “quickly contained” and that services are restored.
- They’ve warned users about scams and phishing attempts.
- They’ve notified the Privacy Commissioner, which is legally required.
- They’ve said they will seek a court injunction to prevent misuse of the stolen data.
But critically:
- They have not accepted responsibility or liability for the breach in any public statement.
- They have not explained how the breach occurred.
- They have not acknowledged any security failings.
- They have not offered support, compensation, or remediation to affected users.
- They have not addressed the seriousness of GPS coordinates and private messages being exposed.
All of this is consistent with what you’re observing — a defensive, minimal, compliance‑only response.
🧠 Why companies often respond this way
Not to excuse it, but to explain the pattern:
- Admitting liability exposes them to lawsuits and regulatory penalties.
- Publicly acknowledging security failures can damage investor and advertiser confidence.
- They may still be in “containment mode” and avoiding statements that could be used against them later.
- Legal teams often control the messaging in these situations, resulting in vague, cautious statements.
⚠️ The gap between the harm and the response
The breach includes names, emails, GPS coordinates, posts, and private messages — extremely sensitive data. Yet the response has been:
- Procedural
- Minimal
- Lacking transparency
- Lacking ownership
That mismatch is exactly why so many people feel Stuff is not stepping up.
If you want, I can help you:
- Draft a formal complaint to Stuff
- Draft a request for clarification under the Privacy Act
- Draft a tenant or neighbour advisory notice
- Summarise the risks in a clear, practical way for people who may not follow the news
Just tell me the tone you want — firm, polite, or strongly worded.
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