step up from already elegant velvet, figured velvet can smarten up your cushions or upholstery with incredible patterns. Traditional figured velvet, also known as cut velvet, is a cut or uncut pile made from silk with a woven satin or twill backing. This sumptuous fabric not only ticks the box for a beautiful variety of patterns and colors, but it can also add an important textural element.
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by KuDa Photography
by KuDa Photography
Ancient figured velvet. Velvet is a fabric that has a thick, dense pile that is traditionally made of silk but today can also be made of acrylic and other fibers. Its production involves warps — tightly stretched threads that are drawn over rods to make loops. As the weaving progresses, the rods are removed, leaving loops that can be cut or uncut.
To appreciate figured velvet, we need to take a visit down the Silk Road. For quite some time, a country's wealth could be measured by its rolls of silk. Byzantine emperor Justinian sent two monks to Asia in the early 550s on a mission to bring back the source of silk. They returned to Constantinople with their bamboo canes filled with silkworm eggs and mulberry seeds.
By the 11th century, state-controlled silk factories were popping up all over the Mediterranean. Royal factories were later founded in Spain and Italy, which imported silk artisans from Greece.
This eclectic sitting room has a figured velvet–style fabric used on classic sofas to full effect. Strong golds and reds bounce off the ceiling mural, creating a warm glow.