Chenille is a dense, wear-resistant material with a pleasant velvety structure. This fabric has excellent consumer characteristics: it makes durable upholstery for furniture, high-quality curtains and drapes.
This fabric began to be woven in the USA about 200 years ago. Due to the special structure of the thread, it received the name “chenille”, which is translated from French as “caterpillar”. Indeed, chenille thread, braided with fluffy fibers for strength, resembles this insect.
Fabric characteristics
Composition and production technology
Chenille thread is made in a special way: combed fluffy fibers are woven into the main smooth thread, after which the workpiece is tightly twisted, forming a thread with a dense fleecy structure. This thread is called chenille.
After twisting, the threads are dyed and sent to the weaving factory. There they are made into fabric by weaving chenille fibers into the warp threads. And the greater the number of chenille threads woven into the fabric, the denser and heavier the material will be.
In the production of chenille, both natural (cotton) and synthetic (polyester, acrylic, artificial viscose) materials are used, making the fabric durable and strong.
Properties
The weave of threads in chenille fabric can be different: satin, tapestry, twill or jacquard. The structure, appearance and consumer characteristics of the material depend on weaving. The most valuable is chenille fabric with jacquard weave.
Properties of chenille:
- does not shrink after treatment with water, but can become deformed when exposed to high temperatures;
- It is elastic, does not stretch well, does not wrinkle;
- draped in heavy, large folds;
- paints well and has a rich palette of shades, thanks to which it is very popular among designers;
- The color lasts a long time, does not rub off or fade.
Furniture with chenille upholstery looks expensive and noble. Due to the fact that multi-colored threads can be used in the manufacture of canvas, furniture covered with this material shimmers in different shades.
Description of chinilla woven
When trying to find a “description of woven chinilla,” difficulties may arise because many do not know how to correctly write “woven” or “woven.” To find out, you need to look in the dictionary. For example, in Ozhegov’s Explanatory Dictionary, where it is written: “ WOVEN - Made, made on a loom. Woven bedspread. Woven patterns."
Shinille is a soft, durable material reminiscent of velor. It has good wear resistance. It is produced on special machines. The fabric is dyed either ready-made or made from pre-dyed threads.
There are different types of fabric weaves. They can be satin, tapestry or jacquard. The main secret lies in the structure of the thread. The jacquard type is the most beautiful. Wonderful ornaments made of multi-colored threads in combination with a velvety texture look aristocratic and elegant. This fabric is ideal for furniture.
Types of chenille
According to its composition, chenille is divided into 3 types:
- Natural. The material contains more than 60% natural cotton fiber. It is environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic, pleasant to the touch and does not electrify. Its disadvantage is low strength.
- Artificial. The fabric is made from synthetic threads, cotton and artificial viscose. This chenille is stronger and more durable than natural, it is softer and more practical.
- Synthetic. The composition of the fabric is dominated by synthetic fibers - acrylic and polyester (more than 60%). The fabric is not very pleasant to the touch, but is durable and resistant to stains.
Origin story
Chenille fabric is created from the yarn of the same name. The French name Chenille translates as "caterpillar", due to the thread's resemblance to a furry caterpillar.
First made in France in the 1780s by snake-braiding fiber and then cutting it into strips to make yarn. The "swirl" effect was created by treating the fabric with heat rollers. The result is a very soft, fluffy fabric. Later, the technique was refined to create imitation oriental carpets.
In the early 20th century, the United States became a center for bedspread production and hand-embroidered bedding became increasingly popular and was called "chenille."
Chenille was widely used for home furnishings rather than clothing, but clothing made from it also became popular in the 1970s.
Searched for this fabric: twill
Areas of use
Chenille fabric is used in three areas:
- Furniture manufacturing. Durable fabric with a high content of fleecy threads is used for upholstery of upholstered furniture: sofas, armchairs and chairs. Products upholstered in chenille retain their beautiful appearance for a long time, do not fade or fade.
- Sewing home textiles. Curtains are made from less dense curtain chenille. Such products do not allow light to pass through, so they are often used to decorate a living room or bedroom. Often this fabric is used for blankets and bedspreads.
- Interior decor. Decorative panels are made from chenille and walls are covered with it. This material perfectly absorbs noise, does not accumulate dust and is easy to clean.
The note! When sewing clothes, chenille is rarely used due to the high density and heaviness of the products. Sometimes robes or aprons are made from it.
Reviews
A huge number of ornaments, colors and patterns allows each person to choose products to suit their taste. Ilona: “My furniture has survived 4 moves - everything is fine with it. But recently I went with a friend and chose something inexpensive for her apartment. I noticed that the material is different now, maybe it depends on the manufacturer, but it is thinner than before.”
Sasha: “This furniture looks great in any colors! I recommend it to everyone!” Nikolai: “I have a sofa with this material. And I can say that it is one of the best furniture fabrics I have ever owned. Among the advantages are strength and durability. The sofa is still like new... no ties or scuffs on it. Great look."
Chenille is an alternative option for flock, tapestry, velor and matting. Its appearance is much more pleasant and elegant, and its strength can ensure the longevity of the products.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of the material:
- natural chenille is environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic;
- paints well, does not lose color over time, does not fade or rub off;
- has a pleasant velvety structure, reminiscent of corduroy to the touch;
- synthetic fabric is durable, wear-resistant, practical;
- It is cheaper than popular upholstery materials (for example, velor), but is not inferior to them in beauty.
Minuses:
- natural fabric absorbs water well, so it gets dirty easily;
- requires dry cleaning without the use of aggressive cleaning agents;
- the fabric is prone to snags: threads are easily pulled out when exposed to sharp objects.
Advice! If you have pets, you should not buy furniture with chenille upholstery. Sharp claws of pets will quickly ruin the canvas.
Comparison with other materials
Chenille fabric for sofa upholstery has many advantages compared to other interior materials. The main selection criteria are properties and methods of care. Upholstery that is excellent in price is inferior to chenille in quality. What to choose so that upholstered furniture lasts a long time without losing its original appearance?
Chenille or velor
The main difference between chenille and velor is in the methods of care and characteristics that affect the durability of the fabric. You can compare the descriptions of both samples using the table below:
| Characteristics | Chenille | Velours |
| Properties | Softness, density, fleecy surface | Density, thick velvety pile |
| The basis | Woven, knitted, woven-adhesive | Woven |
| Color options | Plain dyed, printed, patterned, jacquard ornament | Plain dyed, printed, patterned |
| Elasticity | Yes | No |
| Cleaning | Dry, dry cleaning | Soft wash, dry clean |
| Ironing | Prohibited | Not required |
| Color fastness | High | Not resistant to sunlight |
| Minuses | Does not tolerate moisture, high temperatures, and is vulnerable to cat claws | Prone to abrasion and soiling |
| Life time | Long | Short-lived |
Chenille or matting
Matting is a natural material, hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly. But the main difference between fibers is their tactile properties. The material feels rough to the touch, it is more rigid. Completely unsuitable for upholstering sofas if there is a cat in the house.
Unlike chenille, matting is more affordable and easy to care for. But in terms of wear resistance, color options and color fastness, it is in many ways inferior to it.
Care
Chenille products require special care:
- stained fabric requires careful dry cleaning or professional dry cleaning;
- It is not recommended to wash fabric or remove dirt from it with aggressive detergents: it is better to use a vacuum cleaner or brush;
- to remove the stain, you can use a stain remover for upholstery fabrics;
- It is not advisable to place chenille products near hot radiators or heating devices, as the fabric may become deformed;
- It is not recommended to iron the material.
Advice! Newly appeared stains on the surface of the fabric can be removed with a small amount of soapy water. You need to mix liquid soap with water in a 1:1 ratio, apply this composition with a brush to the fabric, and after drying, vacuum it.
Summary
Whatever upholstery you choose for your sofa, remember the following general care rules. They are simple, but if you follow them, even cheap upholstery will last you a long time. What can we say about the road! So:
- do not place the sofa close to the heat source (radiator), do not place heaters nearby;
- do not use cleaning products that are not intended for furniture (especially with bleaches);
- Take care of your sofa regularly and try not to spill anything on it (even if the upholstery is stated to be waterproof).
And - have a nice rest on your new sofa!
How to get rid of pellets
By purchasing high-quality and expensive chenille, you don’t have to worry about the formation of pills. The denser the material, the tighter the threads of the fabric are twisted, the less likely it is for rolled lumps to appear.
However, if pellets do appear, this indicates low-quality chenille raw materials.
There are several ways to fix this problem:
- Purchasing a special electric trimmer to remove pellets. It comes in two types: mains-powered and battery-powered.
- If there are only a few rolled up fluffs, you can remove them manually.
- Using nail scissors. In this case, you need to be extremely careful so as not to damage the structure of the product.
- Using tape or any adhesive tape. This method will also remove hair, fur and small debris from the product.
Trimmer for removing pellets
Under no circumstances should you use a razor, sandpaper or other sharp, rough, abrasive objects to get rid of pellets.
Production technology
The way it is made now is very different from how it was first made in the 18th century. Chenille is made by placing short lengths of yarn between two "warp threads" and then twisting the yarn. The wrapped yarn is cut to produce a pile effect. The edges of the pieces are then placed at right angles to the middle of the yarn, adding softness. One problem is that the knots can become loose, causing the tissue to unravel. This problem was solved by steaming lengths of yarn and using nylon.
Properties
Because the fibers catch light from different angles, the fabric can shimmer in different colors even if it is a solid color.
There are three main properties of chenille:
- Softness – fabric made from 100% cotton, due to its incredible softness, is used for products that are in close contact with the skin: shawls, blankets, capes, clothing.
- Beauty – One of the reasons the material is so attractive is that it can contrast with the background fabric. This contrast can create beautiful patterns. This is the perfect choice if you want to add style to your space.
- Versatility – makes it an ideal choice for any interior, from light to heavy styles. You can use chenille for everything from throw pillows and throws to upholstering chairs and sofas.
Ironing of products
You can iron chenille textiles only from the wrong side, through gauze, in the “cotton” or “synthetic” mode, depending on the composition of the chenille. The iron temperature should not exceed 110°C.
This material should be ironed only in exceptional cases, if there is an obvious wrinkle, for example on curtains or drapes.
Having chosen a noble and refined chenille, you need to protect this material from direct sunlight, regularly dry clean it, protect it from stains, snags and damage, and follow all the above recommendations. And then this textile will serve for a long time, giving warmth and comfort to the home.
