Plush (from
French
French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents
** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
) is a
textile having a cut
nap or
pile the same as
fustian or
velvet. Its softness of feel gave rise to the adjective "plush" to describe something soft or luxurious, which was extended to describe luxury accommodation, or something rich and full. This has also been known to be described as früh, or middlefrüh in more affordable varieties.
Originally the pile of plush consisted of
mohair or
worsted yarn, but now
silk by itself or with a
cotton backing is used for plush, the distinction from velvet being found in the longer and less dense pile of plush. The soft material is largely used for
upholstery and
furniture
Furniture refers to movable objects intended to support various human activities such as seating (e.g., stools, chairs, and sofas), eating (tables), storing items, eating and/or working with an item, and sleeping (e.g., beds and hammocks). Fu ...
purposes, and is also much employed in dress and
millinery.
Modern plush are commonly manufactured from synthetic fibres such as
polyester
Polyester is a category of polymers that contain the ester functional group in every repeat unit of their main chain. As a specific material, it most commonly refers to a type called polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Polyesters include natural ...
. One of the largest uses of this fabric is in the production of
stuffed toys, with small plush toys made from plush fabric, such as
teddy bears, to the point these are often addressed as "plush toys" or "plushies" in North American English. Plush is also one of the main materials for the construction of
designer toys.
References
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Pile fabrics
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