Does Velvet Stretch? (How to Stretch Velvet Shoes and Dress)
Some fabrics have it and some don’t. The ability to stretch is not universal and some people get caught in embarrassing situations when they forget. That loud ripping sound is their first clue that they forgot the clothes they are wearing does not stretch A hasty exit is their next move.
Does velvet stretch? Traditional velvet does not stretch and needs to be blended with stretchy material to give you any real freedom of movement. There is a version of this fabric called stretch velvet which does stretch well. That last fabric option is easy to ruin as well.
To learn more about velvet fabrics and if they stretch or not all you have to do is continue reading our article. It has the information you need to understand this unique fabric. it will only take a few minutes to get all the news about velvet.
Stretching Velvet 101
Does Velvet Stretch?
The original velvet material or what is called traditional velvet should not stretch that much. It would have the normal give any fabric has when it is not stretchy but do not expect to do any harsh activities that require a lot of stretch when wearing traditional velvet
About the only velvet option that has any stretch to it is called stretch velvet. This material is made from polyester and spandex and it should stretch up to 50% beyond its original size. The fabric is for those people who want a different look for their workout times.
Some velvet materials drape really well, like silk velvet, and that means you can move more freely than other velvet materials. But you won’t get the stretch you may want when you need it. The problem with silk velvet and other styles of this material is that they can be very pricey when you go shopping for it.
Is Velvet Stretchy?
No, velvet is not stretchy. You may feel a little stretch in the material but that is just the normal give many fabrics have. Some people may be confused by that ability but many fabrics have it, like cotton, and it is just the way the material is once it is woven into a nice fabric.
Velour is stretchy, most velvet options are not. There are a lot of different velvet fabrics you can work with in your next sewing project and all but one of them do not stretch. If you need some extra stretch in your new outfit and want to wear velvet, you should go with stretch velvet.
It is no made from silk or cotton but it will have the stretching ability you are looking for. Most velvet options are used to present a great look and were once the favored fabric of royalty. They did not need to stretch so the fabric they wore did not need to stretch.
Can Velvet Have Stretch?
Yes, velvet can have stretch but normally that stretch comes through wearing the clothing item. Velvet will stretch a little to conform to your body movements but it will snap back into its original shape once washed.
To get any type of stretch in velvet it needs to be blended with spandex. You do not need a large amount of this added material to get the stretch you are looking for. Do not expect ring velvet to stretch as it is very much like chiffon in weight, sheer appearance, and very fine material.
It got its name from the fact the fabric had to pass through a wedding ring to qualify. That shows how light and fine the material is. There is no stretch in fabrics that are that fine. You may find it difficult to obtain any velvet option that stretches more than a little bit. Stretch velvet will is about the only fabric that provides any real stretchy ability for your sewing project.
What is Stretchy Velvet?
This material is the lone fabric in this category that has any real stretching capability to it. It is usually made from polyester fibers blended with a few spandex fibers. Once that is done, you should get a lot of stretch out of that material and not have to worry about stretching too far.
There is a rayon and nylon velvet blend out there and it may have some stretch to it but not as much as the polyester-spandex blend provides. usually, that option is found in the non-stretch section of fabrics.
The care for stretchy velvet would have to be done carefully as both materials are not that heat friendly. Make sure to look at the label and read the manufacturer’s instructions before starting your wash cycle or tossing the fabric into the dryer.
Proper care will help keep this material at your service for a very long time.
What is Stretch Velvet Fabric Used For?
When you want to show off your figure you want body-hugging clothing that will not split at the wrong moment. That means you need some really good stretch in your material. Stretch velvet is the perfect fabric as it will stretch up to 50% of its original size making sure your clothes do not split when you move.
That is what stretchy velvet is used for-- body-hugging clothing. You can feel good, look your best and have peace of mind when you move as stretchy velvet has your back. It moves with you so that you can avoid being embarrassed.
When you combine that stretch with velvet’s ability to be nice and soft, you will feel good when you move. That soft texture should keep you nice and comfortable all day and all night long.
Can I Use Stretch Velvet for Upholstery?
You could use velvet for upholstery but it is not always advisable to do so. The reason for not using it is because different velvet types have different characteristics. You have to check to see if you can steam the stretchy material if it will be crushed when sat on and its pile may be too large to work with effectively.
Then you have to worry about if it will be stain resistant. Velvet microfiber would be the better option when reupholstering your furniture. It resists stains, dirt, and is very easy to maintain. The material is also lightweight and easier to work with if it has a low pile.
Generally, stretchy velvet is reserved for body-hugging clothing although it can be used in other styles of clothing. You are free to use whatever fabric suits your tastes but it is always best to choose the right material for the job. Furniture will get spills, dropped food, and other dirt issues on them so it is best to use a stain-resistant fabric to meet that problem.
Can You Stretch Velvet Shoes?
Yes, you can stretch velvet shoes but this does not mean you go out and buy a pair of shoes a size or two too small just to make your feet look smaller. But some velvet shoes will stretch when you get impatient with their long breaking in period.
Being able to stretch your shoes is the best way to keep your feet happy. If your feet are happy, then you can stand on them for longer periods and not feel grouchy. Staying comfortable makes for a better day and a better attitude.
The good news is that there are numerous ways of stretching your velvet shoes so that they will fit as Goldilocks said, just right. That is what you want from a shoe. A fit that is just right so you can focus on more important things, like work or your conversation.
How to Stretch Velvet Shoes
As we mentioned in the previous section there are several ways you can choose between to get those velvet shoes to the just-right fit. Velvet has a little stretch to it like cotton or similar fabrics but don’t try to stretch them too far. It just won’t work. If the shoes get wet again they may shrink on you.
The first method you can try is the freezing method and this involves placing newspaper, bags of water, or other items inside the shoes and freezing them overnight. It is a simple method that is easy to do.
Or you can roll up a pair of socks and place them inside your shoes and wit. Another easy method that just takes a little time. Velvet is not so delicate that it can’t handle the different methods to stretch them.
Then there is the oats method. This is where you place Quaker Oats or some generic rolled oats into a Ziploc plastic bag. Don’t overfill it as you need room for enough water to cover those oats.
Once that bag is ready, just place one in each shoe and let the water expand the oats overnight. Your shoes should be stretched by the next morning and ready to be worn after you clean out the inside of your shoes.
Finally, you can mix a 1 to 1 solution of water and rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. After that is done, you can spray the inside of your shoes and wear them for about 20 minutes.
Can I Stretch a Velvet Dress?
It is possible but the success rate may not be that great as velvet can stretch a little with wear and then bounce back when washed. Also, traditional and other styles of velvet have only a little stretching ability in them so do not get your hopes up that the dress will stretch 2 or more sizes.
There are not as many ways to stretch a velvet dress as there are to stretch velvet shoes. Plus, you have to be really careful in getting that stretch nice and even This is not a fabric that you rush when stretching.
Be patient when you do it.
How to Stretch Velvet Dress
One method is to wet wash your velvet dress and do not dry it too much. You want it wet but not soaking wet. Add a little fabric softener to the wash to help loosen the fibers. Then once the dress is ready, hang it up and begin gently tugging at the areas you want to make larger.
If your dress is dry clean only, then you should use your steam iron. next, set the iron to low heat do a test first to see if your dress will respond correctly to the steam. If you get a positive response then just press small areas at one time.
Gently tug at those areas until you get the size you would like. Make sure to keep the iron moving and do not linger on one spot for any length of time.
How to Stabilize Stretch Velvet
The first thing to do in this situation is to avoid using iron-on or fusible stabilizers. These items have their purpose but used in stretchy velvet is not one of them. There are different reasons for this exclusion and you may have had success with using them. But success is not guaranteed here.
If you want to stabilize stretchy velvet the best way is to use a sew-in stabilizer. A good fabric to use is organza and it should be sewn in on the bias only. If you are not aware, stretchy velvet can be heavy material to work with and wear.
That is why you should sew in some clear elastic in the shoulders to help bear the weight.
Some Final Words
There are a lot of velvet material types on the market today. But not all of them stretch more than a little bit. If you need a lot of stretch, then go with stretchy velvet as it will give you more than enough room to reach out and touch someone or something.
Use the right material to avoid embarrassing situations.
