Glossary
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V
Velour: A term applied to pile cloths generally, also to fabrics with a fine raised finish.
Velvet: A warp pile cloth in which a succession of rows of short cut pile stand so close together as to give an even, uniform surface. Originally made with silk now made with all fibres.
Velveteen: Very often this name is given to velvet made from cotton, but strictly speaking it refers to a weft pile cotton fabric made to resemble velvet.
Venetian: Highly lustrous twill cloth originally made in Venice from silk. When made in satin weave from wool, it is the fabric worn by pilgrims to the Middle East. Venetian for men’s suiting is made from worsted yarn, but women’s clothes can be made from synthetic varieties, usually polyester. Expensive in any fibre. Use usually confined to suits, skirts, trousers.
Vicuna: This comes from the fleece of the Vicuna Llama. They originate from Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru &Northwestern Argentina.
Viscose: One of the earliest types of artificial silk. Regenerated cellulose fibre obtained by the ‘viscose process’ for filament and discontinuous fibre. The name viscose was derived from the word ‘viscous’ referring to the sticky spinning solution, looking like clear honey. The name ‘rayon’ was the first generic term devised to replace ‘artificial silk’ but is now has almost gone out of use, being replaced by ‘viscose’.
Viyella: Trade name describing an old, established, classic fabric. However at times the name Viyella is generically used. The fabric still has the same composition as original, i.e. 55 lamb’s wool and 45 cotton, and it is a fine, soft, twill weave material. Was first produced in 1893 in UK, and for a long time was used almost exclusively for children’s clothes, babywear and nightwear. Later, it became a popular fabric for blouses and shirts. Now, mostly due to improved designs, it is used for top fashion clothes.
Voile: A light, fine sheer fabric originally made from hard (high) twisted combed cotton yarns in plain weave which give a crisp handle to the fabric. Can be produced on plain, striped or printed styles. Used for blouses and dresses. Can also be made in man-made fibres. Cotton and also polyester with cotton, produces a soft, comfortable, fabric used for blouses, dresses, children’s clothes and sometimes for men’s shirts. Voile is also made from silk. Wool voile is referred to as Challis.
