What Are the Different Types of Chenille Fabric?

Are you on the lookout for the perfect upholstery fabric for your next home project and want to learn more about chenille? Chenille is a stunning fabric with an opulent sheen. It has a variety of uses and comes in numerous types. Below, we give a brief overview of chenille and what the different types of chenille fabric are.

What Is Chenille?

Chenille is a fabric named after the French word for caterpillar, as both have a soft, fuzzy texture. To get this unique texture, producers of chenille place several short piles of yarn between two core yarns and weave them together to create a raised effect.

What Do You Use Chenille For?

Some people use it to craft clothing items like shawls or blouses, but chenille is mainly used for upholstery or home goods such as bed sheets, rugs, and linens. It's a popular fabric option among homeowners because it has a beautifully soft and shiny look but is also thick, durable, and water-resistant.

What Are the Different Types of Chenille?

What are the different types of chenille fabric, and which kind should you buy? You can make chenille from a wide variety of fibers, including cotton, silk, wool, polyester, and rayon. Cotton, silk, and wool chenille are soft and have a luxurious texture. Polyester chenille has a shiny, almost velvety sheen. And rayon chenille is lush, durable, and iridescent.

If you're looking for the best quality-to-cost ratio, we recommend polyester chenille, as it's tough but very affordable. Chenille made from natural fibers such as wool will cost more and be harder to maintain than chenille made from manmade materials. However, it will look and feel extraordinarily fuzzy and soft!

Apart from the different fiber types, you can also choose from various colors and patterns to customize your chenille according to your personal home-decorating style.

If you want to use chenille to dress up your furniture, come shop chenille upholstery fabric by the yard at the Fabric Outlet. We have high-quality, affordable polyester chenille available in different patterns and over a dozen colors.