Love this pillow.  It looks great on my couch.  That being said you should know that the backing - beige material - is more of a canvas look / feel but since the velvet purple design stands out you really only see it when you look closely. The background beige fabric is not soft.  Again, the pillows look great and are well made.  I have the Bradford Cotton Throw Pillow behind this one - and it is a velvet type fabric.