Have You Ever Wondered How Chenille Is Made ?
Did you know that there are three ways a fabric earns its name? Some are named after the fibre used to weave them, such as wool. Others take their name from the loom on which they are woven, such as Jacquard fabric. The rest are named after their unique yarn construction. Chenille sits in this last group, named after the French word for caterpillar, a nod to the fuzzy yarn at the heart of every chenille fabric.
If you would like a broader comparison of the types of material used in upholstery, we've got a handy guide that runs through each one.
What Is Chenille Fabric?
Chenille is a soft, plush fabric with a raised pile that gives it a velvet-like softness and a subtle sheen. Chenille can be woven from cotton, rayon, silk, acrylic or polyester, or from a blend of these materials, which is why the finish, weight and durability can vary so widely from one roll to the next. It is this range that makes chenille one of the most flexible types of upholstery fabric for curtains, cushions and soft furnishings.
How Is Chenille Made?
Chenille has been made in different ways since it first appeared in France in the 1780s, when a leno-woven fabric was cut into strips to form chenille yarn. In the 1830s, a Scottish mill foreman named Alexander Buchanan refined the process to mass produce "fuzzy shawls". In 1895, American textile maker Catherine Evans Whitener developed a different method of making tufted chenille bedspreads, helping to establish chenille production in the United States. Modern chenille yarn is made by creating a tightly wound core and securing short lengths of yarn around it to create the characteristic fuzzy pile. This is quite an innovation when compared to the way traditional fabrics such as cotton or linen are made, where the yarn itself is simply spun as one continuous strand.
The Chenille Yarn Manufacturing Process
Once the short lengths of pile yarn are positioned around the core, their edges stand at right angles to the centre of the yarn, similar to the legs of a caterpillar. Two binder yarns hold the pile in place, and the finished chenille yarn is then woven or knitted into fabric ready for use across soft furnishings and upholstery alike. This is what gives chenille its softness and its fluffy look, and it also means the fabric can appear a different shade depending on which direction you view it from, since the fibres catch the light differently on each side.
How Is Chenille Yarn Made From Raw Fibre?
The pile used to build chenille yarn can be made from a range of fibres, including cotton, rayon, silk, acrylic and polyester. The choice of fibre can affect the fabric's handle, appearance and performance, alongside factors such as the yarn construction, weave and finishing. This is useful to know when you are choosing between rolls, particularly if the fabric will be used for upholstery. This is where the fabric's Martindale rub count can also help. As a general guide, fabrics rated at 25,000 rubs or above are commonly recommended for heavier domestic use, although the right specification depends on how the furniture will be used.
What Is Chenille Fabric Used For?
We stock a wide range of chenille, and the right choice depends on how hard the finished piece will work. Many of the chenille fabrics in our range are well suited to cushions, curtains and Roman blinds, where the fabric generally sees less sustained contact than upholstery. For upholstery such as sofas, armchairs and dining chairs, the same rub count guidance applies, so choose a fabric that suits how much daily use the piece will see.
We are constantly amazed by how creative our customers are with the chenille fabric they choose. One of our favourite examples came from Bradley, who reupholstered a sofa in a striking retro design using our Bruges Stripe Chevron Blue Red Green Chenille Jacquard Upholstery Fabric. The blue, red and green chevron stripe suited the shape of the sofa perfectly, and it is a brilliant reminder of how far a single roll of chenille can go in the right hands.
Caring for Chenille Fabric
Chenille holds up well to daily use, but a little care keeps it looking its best. Vacuum finished pieces regularly with a soft brush attachment to lift dust from the pile, and blot spills straight away rather than rubbing the pile, which can spread the stain and damage the surface. Keep chenille out of strong, direct sunlight where possible, as prolonged exposure can fade colour over time. Cleaning requirements vary between fabrics, so check the care label on your finished piece, or contact our team and we will match the advice to your exact fabric. For more advice on choosing upholstery fabric, our full upholstery resource page contains guides covering types of fabrics and their uses as well as how-to guides and other useful information.
Find Your Chenille Fabric at Yorkshire Fabric Shop
Browse our full range of chenille fabrics, from plains to upholstery-weight chevron and stripe jacquards, and order a sample before you commit so you can check the handle, the colour and the weight in person. Our team can also turn your chosen fabric into handmade cushions or made to measure curtains. Call us on 01924 728 753 or email help@yorkshirefabricshop.com if you would like help matching a fabric to your project.