Thread: Working with stretch velvet

I just bought some stretch velvet to make a skirt. I don't have a pattern, so I need to know which way to cut the velvet...along the selvage or what? Should the nap/pile run down or across?

Thanks!

First thing you want is to determine where the stretch is. If it's only two way you want *that* going across/around your body first and foremost. If it's four way, you are not so restricted. I personally like nap going down because I like how it feels, but they say that nap going up is better for costuming because the colour really pops a lot more.

Thanks!

what zumarrad says. Cutting fabric with the nap going up really makes a difference, make sure that all pattern pieces are cut in the same direction. With velvet it's very visible if you cut one piece following the nap and other pieces are slightly off because they appear to be different shades.

I second making sure the nap is running the same way on all your pieces...I made an accent skirt out some amazing bronze stretch velvet and I got one piece turned the wrong way which was easy to do because it was a straight skirt: two rectangle shaped pieces. The pieces kept shifting and I ended up with 'extra' fabric at the end of my seams. Moral of the story...double check your nap before you sew!