✂️ Playing with Velvet & Contrast Nap (and loving it)

Last night I let myself experiment — it didn’t take long and it re-awakened my creativity FOR FUN brainwaves 🥳🧠.

I’d been staring at this gorgeous velvet, and instead of saving it for the “perfect” project, I ripped into it.

Literally.

I tore six 6cm-wide strips across the weft, stitched them back together with the nap going in opposite directions, and something super cool happened 🤩🤩

You know how velvet changes in the light? When the nap flips, it’s like the fabric is having mood swings 🤣 — in the best way. Light, dark, light, dark… kind of hypnotic.

Once I’d stitched the six strips, I cut the whole thing in half, flipped one side, and stitched it again. Suddenly, I had this cool square with chevron vibes and so much texture. The light hits it differently on the bias, and the effect is just… I can’t stop touching it 🤩

💭 That “Am I Wasting Fabric?” Moment

I had a tiny moment where I thought,

“Am I wasting good velvet just to cut it up and sew it back together?”

But nope. I’m not. This is the point.

This little experiment gave me a big creative boost. It reminded me how satisfying it is to try something without a set plan, to follow the spark, and to see something new come out of it.

And HOW GOOD IS IT!!!!!

I’m now thinking this could turn into a gorgeous bolero with a chevron back — something dramatic and fun to wear over a simple dress or to zhoojh up my jeans.

Yes, I pressed it (from the back). Yes, I did a few “don’ts” when it comes to velvet. And yes — it still looks great!

I’m considering chucking it in the dryer too for that vintage finish, but I haven’t yet decided. I wouldn’t mind dry cleaning this if I do make a bolero, as it is not an everyday thing. Yet 🤣

💡 The Idea

I wanted to really try something unusual with the velvet — that light-catching, pile-shifting magic that makes it look like a totally different colour depending on how the nap sits.

So I grabbed my scissors (actually, I ripped it — because this velvet tears beautifully on the weft!) and went to work.

✂️ What I Did

1. Ripped 6 strips, each 6cm wide, straight across the weft.

2. Stitched them back together, but here’s the twist — I flipped the nap on every second piece. So the pile goes this way, then that way, then back again. (Hello, contrast nap! 👋)

3. Once stitched, I cut the panel in half widthwise, rotated one half, and joined them again.

4. The result? A square panel with light bouncing in every direction — especially on the bias.

It’s just so damn good! I am SOOOO pleased with the results 🤩🤩

👗 What’s Next

I’m thinking of turning this piece into a Chevron-effect Bolero jacket. Can you imagine it?

That soft shimmer, that structured shape, and the visual movement from the nap variation… oof.

I can already see it in all three velvet colours — but especially the Bronze. That one’s pure fire. 🔥

🛠 Notes from the Studio

• Did I press it from the wrong side? Yes. I’m aware you’re not supposed to iron velvet flat — but you know what? It came out beautifully. I pressed from the back with a full-heat and steam iron, and it came up great!

• Any regrets? Maybe a teeny tiny press mark here or there, but honestly? The nap variation steals the show, so no one’s noticing that.

✨ Try It Yourself

This is one of those techniques that’s so easy once you get going — but looks like high-end couture when it’s done. Whether you’re using scraps or working with a whole metre, it’s a fab way to:

• Use up narrow offcuts

• Add subtle interest to a simple silhouette

• Learn how to control (and celebrate) nap

✨ Get some for yourself to play with:

Bronze Cotton Rayon Velvet

Teal Cotton Rayon Velvet

Musk Cotton Rayon Velvet

💬 Over to you, sewist…

Have you ever played with contrast nap before?

What would you make with a nap-flipped velvet panel like this?

Let me know in the comments or DM me your creations — I’m in love with this effect and looking forward to seeing what you think of it.

Let me know if you want a little how-to — or a bolero pattern with a contrast nap feature, because I think I’m onto something… 😏

xx