If you love the softness of a plush blanket but want a fabric that looks a little more elegant, Double Lush Velvet is worth getting to know. The Black Double Lush Velvet 58/60" Midnight Meadow, designed by My Mind's Eye for Riley Blake Designs, is a luxurious substrate with double-sided plushness. It is soft, smooth, and dreamy to the touch, with a rich, velvety sheen and a beautifully draping quality that adds sophistication to cozy projects.
What This Fabric Is
This is not a quilting cotton. Double Lush Velvet is 95% polyester and 5% spandex, and it comes 58"/60" wide — noticeably wider than standard 44"/45" quilting fabric. That extra width is a real advantage for blankets and throws, because a single width can cover many lap and baby projects with fewer seams. The fabric is plush on both sides, so there is no obvious wrong side to worry about when it will be seen and touched from every angle, as a blanket will be. It also has a no-fray edge, which simplifies finishing and makes it forgiving for simple, quick makes.
The black Midnight Meadow colorway is a versatile neutral with depth. The velvet sheen catches the light as the fabric moves, so a plain black surface still feels rich and interesting rather than flat.
What It Is Best For
According to Riley Blake Designs, Double Lush Velvet is perfect for snuggly quilts, pillows, and more, as well as cozy blankets, elegant home décor, and stylish apparel. Think first about projects where softness and drape are the point:
- Blankets and throws: Use it on its own for a simple plush throw, or pair it with quilting cotton on the other side for contrast.
- Baby blankets: The double-sided softness is made for cuddling, and the wide width helps you make a generous blanket from a modest cut.
- Pillows and cushions: A velvet pillow cover brings instant texture to a sofa or bed, and the drape works well for relaxed, slouchy styles.
- Simple quilts: Use large pieces and minimal piecing so the plush surface, not intricate seam work, does the talking.
How to Cut and Sew It
Start by letting the fabric relax flat before you cut. Because it has a small amount of spandex, avoid stretching it while you measure and cut, or your finished piece may wave or pull in. A rotary cutter and a large mat help you cut long, clean edges in the wide fabric, and the no-fray edge means those cut edges will stay tidy.
For piecing, keep designs simple. Large squares, wide strips, and whole-cloth tops suit a plush, draping fabric far better than tiny, intricate blocks with many intersecting seams. Use plenty of pins or clips to hold layers together while you sew, sew slowly so the layers feed evenly, and press seams gently rather than crushing the plush surface with a hot, heavy iron. When you pair Double Lush Velvet with a quilting cotton top, the cotton adds stability while the velvet provides the soft, cozy back everyone reaches for.
Color Pairing Ideas
Black pairs with almost everything, which makes Midnight Meadow an easy anchor. Pair it with bright, saturated cottons for a modern, high-contrast blanket, with soft pastels for a gentle baby gift, or with warm neutrals and metallic-look prints for elegant home décor. Because the back of a blanket is one large surface, choose your front fabrics first, then let the black velvet ground the palette and make those colors look richer.
Care
Care is straightforward: machine wash cold and tumble dry low, following the instructions given for this fabric. That easy care is part of what makes it practical for blankets and pillows that will actually be used, loved, and washed often — not just admired.
If you have been wanting a blanket or quilt that feels as luxurious as it looks, start simple: one generous piece, clean finishing, and fabric this soft doing most of the work for you.
Shop the Black Double Lush Velvet 58/60" Midnight Meadow at Linda's Electric Quilters.
