3.9 Specific Terms Used in This Book and Their Explanations

1.  Velvet Row Width
This refers to the total width of a velvet row from left to right (or right to left) after the threads are laid out. To ensure consistency in the data for subsequent flower designs, this term will be used throughout the book. Please refer to the section "Basic Velvet Strip Production Methods and Process" and combine it with the images for a thorough understanding.

2.  Velvet Strip Length
This refers to the measurement of a velvet strip after it has been fully twisted tight. The "velvet row width" determines the "velvet strip length," and the "velvet strip length" can be used to deduce the "velvet row width." The "velvet row width" is always greater than the "velvet strip length." (It's okay if you don't understand this part now. You can return to these explanations after extensive practice.)

3.  Brass Wire Spacing
This refers to the distance between adjacent brass wires when they are tied onto the silk.

4.  Velvet Strip Width (Thickness)
This refers to the thickness of the finished velvet strip itself. The "brass wire spacing" determines the "velvet strip width," and the "velvet strip width" can be used to deduce the "brass wire spacing." The "brass wire spacing" is always greater than the "velvet strip width."

5.  Number of Groups
This refers to how many thread groups are used in one velvet row.

6.  Color Mixing
This refers to staggering threads with a significant color difference, such as mixing light-colored threads into dark ones, or vice versa. For specific operations, please refer to the demonstration in Chapter 3, Section 7 of this book.

7.  Color Blending
This refers to blending completely different colors together. Typically, a smaller amount of thread is randomly blended into a larger amount. Unlike color mixing, velvet strips made with blended colors are more suitable for flattening and shaping. Additionally, color blending has specific ratio requirements. For specific operations, please refer to the demonstration in Chapter 3, Section 7 of this book.

8.  Annealing
This is a metalworking process that involves slowly heating the metal to a specific temperature, holding it at that temperature for a certain period, and then allowing it to cool. The purpose is to reduce the metal's hardness, improve its properties, and increase its flexibility.

9.  Setting (or Stiffening)
This refers to applying setting liquid to the flower petal/floret to harden it, facilitating the creation of various petal shapes.

10. Wire Inlay (Filigree)
Originally a technique in Filigree Inlaid Metal Art, when applied to velvet flowers, it refers to shaping metal wire into the desired form and adhering it to velvet pieces to create an effect similar to kingfisher feather art.