Abstract: Processes for forming embossed terry towels and the resulting towels are described herein. The towels have an uneven surface. Thus, the background can be at one height, and the design can be at another height, which is typically higher than the background. The process involves twisting the pile warp that will be used for the design on the towel with PVA filament yarn. The remaining pile warp, which is used to form the background, is 100% cotton. The pile warp is then woven with the ground warp and weft warp to form the towel. The towel is subject to a steaming process, which shrinks the PVA/cotton pile fibers, but does not affect the 100% cotton fibers. The PVA/cotton pile fibers shrink to at least about 50% of their original length under tension free conditions. The towel is then subjected to shearing to produce a velour texture. Due to the shrinkage of the PVA/cotton pile yarns, only the background (100% cotton) pile is cut, and the shrunk pile remains uncut.