Velvet
Made of silk, wool or rayon, velvet has a short, soft, dense pile. Combined with machine embroidery designs, velvet can be used to create elegant clothing and home dec items. Because of its nap, velvet requires special consideration when being embroidered.
It is advisable not to hoop velvet, both because of its thickness and because its nap is easily marred by the hoop. Instead, hoop cut-away embroidered stabilizer, spray the stabilizer with adhesive, then adhere the velvet to the hooped embroidered stabilizer. If stitching on a garment or a large piece of velvet, make sure it is supported so that the weight of it will not pull or distort the embroidery stitches as they are sewn.
Use a water-soluble topping on the surface of the velvet to keep the embroidery stitches from sinking into the pile. Wetting is not recommended for velvet, so when removing the topping, carefully tear it away from the stitching. If small pieces remain, dampen the end of a cotton swab and gently apply to the embroidery to dissovle the topping.