Is velveteen different than velvet fabric?

Velveteen is a type of cloth made to imitate velvet.

What is the difference between velveteen and velvet?

• Velvet is a woven fabric which is made of silk

• Velveteen is also a woven fabric which is made of cotton.

• Velvet is more expensive than velveteen (silk is generally more costly than cotton).
• Velvet is lighter and drapes well.  Velveteen is heavier.
• Velvet has a shinier and is softer to the touch than velveteen fabric.

This fabric is normally cotton but the term is sometimes applied to a mixture of silk and cotton. Some velveteens are a kind of fustian, having a rib of velvet pile alternating with a plain depression. 

This fabric has a pile that is short (never more than 3 mm deep) and is closely set. It has a firm hand and a slightly sloping pile. Compared to true velvet, velveteen has greater body, does not drape as easily, and has less sheen.

Velveteen can also be referenced as velveret.

Learn more about fabric.

Learn about knit fabrics.

Learn about woven fabrics.