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...
Robbery at a Naenae dairy
At around 8am Police were called to Rata Street where a group entered a Naenae dairy and presented a knife, stealing product. The offenders fled the scene in a vehicle which has since been located in Naenae Park abandoned. Police are appealing for information from the public.
Inspector Simon de Wit Relieving Hutt Valley Area Commander says: “Police are reviewing CCTV footage, speaking with witnesses, and we are searching the area as we work to identify and locate the offenders.”
“Enquiries are ongoing and a scene examination will be conducted.”
“If you have any information that may assist in identifying and locating the youths or saw a small silver Toyota hatchback leaving the scene towards Naenae Park between the hours of 8:10am and 8:20am please contact Police on 111 if it was recent or 105 if it’s after the fact. Please reference event number: P058472846,” says Inspector de Wit.
Alternatively you can report any information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Dog Grooming
We have recently opened a dog grooming business at 75 Woburn Road, Woburn, Lower Hutt. We have current vacancies for your dog. We pride ourselves on our professionalism and the quality of our grooming. We love dogs and so make a special effort to ensure the grooming experience is as enjoyable and non-stressful for them as possible.
To make an appointment or booking, please visit www.woburndogs.co.nz... or phone Erica on 0274 459 1464. Thank you.
Potted colour
Express yourself with this artistic dip-dye paint effect using Resene paints. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
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