Velvet vs. Chenille — What's the Difference?
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What Is Chenille?
Chenille is a raised, soft, feathery fabric. It was thought to have originated in France during the 18th century — in fact, chenille is French for the word “caterpillar.” During this time it was created using the leno method where two warp threads are twisted around a weft thread, then the material is cut into strips. Chenille can be made from cotton, rayon, silk, viscose or a blend of various materials, both natural and synthetic. It can oftentimes feel silky and appear more dimensional when compared to velvet.
Today, chenille is crafted by taking short lengths of yarn between two core yarns, twisting them together and then cutting them to achieve a pile effect. These yarn edges stand at right angles to the yarn core, resulting in a super soft, sleek fabric. To prevent patches of the pile from coming apart, low-melt nylon is added to the yarn core. Afterward, the yarn is steamed to make sure the pile stays put and only after that can the yarn be woven into chenille. One unique aspect of chenille is that the fibers have a somewhat iridescent effect in the right light thanks to the angle at which they’re cut.
Common Chenille Uses:
- Sweaters and clothing items
- Shawls and blankets
- Upholstery and accents
- Pillows and home décor
Advantages of Chenille:
- Soft, thick and durable.
- Abrasion resistant.
- Retains heat for added warmth.
Disadvantages of Chenille:
- Can be prone to stretching, shrinking or distortion.
- Unless properly treated, some chenille can be delicate and absorb water/stains quickly.
What Is Velvet?
A soft, dense fabric, velvet is often made from silk, cotton, polyester or viscose. Velvet is created by weaving two layers of fabric simultaneously, which are then cut apart to create its characteristic pile. This process results in a soft, textured surface with a rich sheen. This is one of the major discrepancies between velvet and chenille. Velvet often appears much denser and smoother than chenille, which can possess a slightly ropey appearance.
To learn more about velvet, read our blog "The Ultimate Guide to Velvet Upholstery Fabrics."
Common Velvet Uses:
- Pillows and accents
- Furniture
- Headboards
- Curtains
- Certain clothing items
Advantages of Velvet:
- Soft, textured feel.
- Silk velvets drape nicely.
- Cotton and synthetic velvets are the most durable.
Disadvantages of Velvet:
- Silk velvets can be delicate.
- Not always easy to clean. Important to check care instructions before selecting one for your home.
Our Sailrite Selection
The chenille and velvet upholstery fabrics we stock at Sailrite offer durability, beauty and performance. We have a wide selection of fuzzy and soft chenilles and sleek and smooth velvets in solids, stripes, geometrics and more. Choose from quality brands including Crypton®, Covington and P/Kaufmann, Hamilton and more.
If you’re searching for a dependable, worry-free fabric for interior upholstery, we highly recommend Crypton Home Fabrics. Several of their lines are chenille, and all are intelligently designed to resist everyday messes and offer superior durability. Because of its thick pile, standard chenille absorbs water quickly but not Crypton chenille fabrics — most water- and oil-based stains simply wipe away!
And to make the fabric selection process even easier for you, you’ll notice that you have the ability to sort by both velvet and chenille in the “Fabric Design” section on the left side of our website when you’re searching for fabric. That way you’ll have no doubt what you’re looking at when you make your next fabric purchase.
Do you prefer velvet or chenille? Let us know in the comments below!
