7 things to know when decorating with chenille

7 things to know when decorating with chenille

Chenille is beloved for its cozy texture and flexibility to fit any room, but it also has an interesting history. Read on to learn everything you need to know about this favorite fabric, from its 18th-century origins to its unique plush properties.

1. Named after insects.
Chenille originated in France in the 1780s, where craftsmen developed a technique of weaving "leno," or cross-braided fabric, which was then cut into strips to make the yarn as soft and fuzzy as a caterpillar's fur. That's "chenille" in French.

2. Considerable progress has been made.
A French foreman brought chenille to Scotland in the 1830s in the form of a "shaggy shawl." As production technology developed, chenille became a popular carpet material. In the 1890s, craftsman Catherine Evans Whitener revived the handmaking technique in northwest Georgia, which became famous in the 1920s and 1930s for her hand-tufted bedspreads, quilts, rugs and other textiles. famous. The popularity of chenille in the United States can be directly attributed to Whitener's entrepreneurial spirit.

3. It's one of the softest fabrics we've ever made.
It’s no secret why chenille is such a popular fabric for decor, accessories, and clothing: it’s incredibly soft to the touch! By the 1970s, chenille was so popular that its range expanded to include sweaters, scarves, gloves and anything else one wanted to wear next to the body.

4. It has countless uses.
Chenille is extremely durable and will last for decades. Its softness is just as lovely as a rug or blanket, and even more comfortable as a blanket, pillow, and throw. We also love it as interior decoration, but there's a caveat: chenille runs the risk of fading when exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time. Other than that, you can use chenille however you want.

5. Made of twisted yarn.
The term chenille refers to both the final product and the type of yarn used to make it. Chenille is created when the pile (short end) of the yarn is placed between two core yarns and the entire yarn is twisted together. This forms the yarn into loops, which are then cut short at right angles and braided together. This is why chenille becomes super fuzzy and soft. This technique used to be done entirely by hand, but is now done by machines.

6. It’s iridescent.
Fun bonus: Because the chenille yarn is cut super short at right angles when making the fabric, the resulting fabric reflects light, creating an iridescent effect.

7. It can be made of many types of fabrics.
While the most common material used for chenille is cotton, it can also be made from silk, rayon or wool or a mixture of any of the above. Each specific mixture or ratio of materials used can change the look and feel of chenille.