Chenille: understanding this lush textile

Whether you’re looking to upholster a headboard or keep warm in the winter, you've probably come across sumptuous chenille fabrics. Considered a close sister of velvet, this luxurious fabric is renowned for its soft texture, versatility, and lustrous sheen. Its durability and softness make it an ideal choice for a wide variety of projects — from curtains to clothing to cushions.

What is chenille?

It is a soft, fuzzy textile with a velvety hand and unique sheen. Its name means “caterpillar” in French, as its ribbed, wooly yarn is said to resemble the fuzzy creature. This fabric can be made from a wide range of fibers, including linen, cotton, silk, wool, and synthetic fibers.

Chenille yarn is made by placing short fibers between two ‘core’ yarns, and then twisting them together to make one strong thread for weaving. Think of a pipe cleaner! The yarn is then heat treated to hold the pile fibers in place and keep them nice and fluffy.  

From there, the fuzzy yarn can be woven in a wide variety of methods and patterns. The effect is a fabric that is soft to the touch with a beautiful drape. The pile threads catch light, giving it a shiny, almost iridescent glow. The wooly yarn creates a thick fabric that is durable enough for upholstery, yet soft enough for bedding and clothing. 

Solid

Woven Pattern

A little history

Chenille is a relatively recent invention, believed to date back to 1780s France. Originally, a leno weaving method would have been used to twist fibers together and create fuzzy yarn. Alexander Buchanan, a foreman in a Scottish fabric mill, is credited with creating this textile. After treating the twisted yarns with heat rollers to create a signature frizz, it was used to weave shawls and other women’s clothing. This method produced a plush textile faster and more cheaply than one could be knit. Over the 1800s, the weaving method was further developed to make chenille decor such as rugs and bedding. 

Styling at home

There are endless uses for chenille in home textiles. Its warmth makes ideal blankets, duvet covers, and comforters for chilly winter months. Drape your bed in its softness and sheen with Eastern Accents’ Tilda Duvet Cover and Comforter. The creamy white textile creates a cozy yet refined aesthetic, accented with silver buttons and a velvet edge welt for a touch of contrast.

Or opt for more texture and color! Our menswear-inspired Zelda Textured Duvet Cover is crafted from chenille in varying shades of gray, which creates an inviting depth. The result is masculine and textured while still being soft to the touch.


Chenille is a popular material for drapery because of its thickness and excellent drape. Additionally, it will catch the light from your windows and give off a soft sheen. Our Rufus Curtain Panel rust-colored panel is crafted with tailored pinch pleats and is available in custom sizing.

Chenille decorative pillows make beautiful, cozy additions to your bedding or living room. Our Bembe Decorative Pillow is Jacquard-woven in an abstract horizontal pattern. Its rich olive color adds to the depth and texture, creating a cozy and inviting look. 

Because this fabric is so thick and durable, it works wonders for upholstery. Our trendy Alma Textured Ottoman features a streamlined silhouette, a luxurious chenille weave, and classic welt detailing. Easy to adapt to any space, it is perfect as extra seating or a stylish footrest.

Both our Cabo Silk Bolster and Cabo Loop Fringe Decorative Pillow use a loop trim made of chenille yarn, which adds a playful texture that both catches the light and provides supreme softness.  

In the spotlight: Tuthill

Relax into Thom Filicia's newest bedding collection, soft and contemporary Tuthill. These cozy grays and warm neutrals create a laidback foundation for layers of pattern and texture. From a woven stripe and plush chenille to embroidered diamond motifs, Tuthill has no shortage of textile detail. Accent the linen-blend duvet cover with a dotted print for another level of dimension, or introduce solid taupe Euro shams for a streamlined style.

Cozy up your bedding with this plush Tuthill decorative pillow. Featuring an abstract stripe pattern, warm and cool shades of gray blend together to create a versatile color scheme that is both contemporary and comforting.

Pair with our Tuthill Embroidered Standard Sham. Neutral and bright, this sham is crafted from beige fabric with white diamond embroidery. The subtle texture and simple pattern make this laidback design ideal for layering.

Cleaning and care

Chenille needs a bit more attention than other materials, but caring for it doesn’t have to be hard. Here’s how to keep it in pristine condition:

To start, do not throw your chenille in the wash. The pile yarns and heat treatments can come undone during washing, even on low and cold settings. Dust and hair may get trapped in the fuzzy fibers, and can easily be removed with a soft-bristled brush or vacuum attachment. Small stains can be spot-treated by hand. 

First, use a dry cotton cloth to blot - not rub- the stain to remove as much moisture as possible. You can then blot further using mild water-free solvents or dry cleaning products. Professional dry cleaning is recommended for stubborn stains and larger products, such as duvet covers and comforters. For more information, please contact our customer service department.

We hope this guide has helped you learn about a luxurious, one-of-a-kind material. If you want to use fuzzy, versatile texture for your next project, Eastern Accents offers fabrics by the yard along with plenty of other soft goods. With a variety of patterns and colors to choose from, we hope you can find the perfect match for your personality and home!