Chenille was invented about 250 years ago in America. At that time, manufactory weaving was just going through the main stage of its development. Samples of new fabrics and methods for their production were presented to the public regularly, but it was chenille that gained high popularity in the salons and homes of urban residents. Today, chenille is a fabric widely known for its high resistance to wear and abrasion. The richness of the color range of this material is appreciated by the world leaders in the production and supply of furniture.
Chenille fabric. Description
The canvas of chenille fabric is an interlacing of two threads: fluffy fibers are wound in a special way on a solid base. The result of the actions is a rather dense fluffy lace in structure, resembling a caterpillar in its appearance. By the way, the name of this fabric was given by the French - in their language "chenille" just means "chenille", that is, "lace", as well as "caterpillar".
The weft of the fabric is formed using a continuous looping thread. It is not fixed between the main guides, which gives the chenille elasticity and softness. At the same time, the weft threadholds residually firmly - it is fixed at the edges and does not allow the fabric to unravel.
Raw materials for making chenille
Chenille can be made from any material that can maintain the desired texture. The main qualities of chenille depend on the choice of threads. For example, wefts from jacquard, tapestry, loden, cloth have the lowest abrasion. Soft and thin materials (acrylic, velor, cotton, viscose) will make the fabric more delicate, silky and shiny.
Chenille production
In the earliest stages of weaving, chenille was made by hand. The base, which was supposed to have a pile of a certain length and a level of fluffiness, was combed for a long time by factory employees on machines using special combs. Therefore, in the villages and among less prosperous townspeople, it was almost impossible to find chenille in the decoration of their homes due to its high cost.
Today, the pile of threads for chenille is made on a special automatic machine, after which they are drawn, processed and wound into bobbins. If the threads must have a certain shade, then the raw materials are dyed in accordance with the color chart. Most often this happens even before the bouffant process. Next, the material is sent to the weaving workshop, where the canvas, known as chenille, is created. After release, the fabric is checked for defects, processed and folded by the machine into rolls for subsequent shipment to the warehouse.
Where is chenille used?
First of all, this material is extremelywidely used in the furniture industry as an upholstery fabric: chenille with different patterns and textures can transform the same sofa model almost beyond recognition. The richness of the color palette will satisfy even the most captious customer who is looking for furniture of a strictly defined tone.
Extraordinary softness is another quality for which chenille is so valued. The fabric, reviews of which are overwhelmingly positive, is also used for sewing various capes and curtains that require a relatively delicate texture. For these products, material with a lower pile and increased gloss is selected. This, in particular, allows you to artistically drape them, giving the room a gloss and comfort.
Benefits of chenille
Furniture fabric (chenille), depending on the raw materials used, has a different cost. However, this does not in any way affect its positive characteristics. Chenille has the following undeniable advantages over other materials with a fleecy surface:
- low abrasion;
- lack of ability to accumulate static electricity (electrification);
- the material is comfortable at any time of the year - in winter it does not cool the skin, and in summer it does not stick to it;
- chenille is fade resistant;
- the fabric is practically wrinkle-free and does not require raising the pile by steaming;
- parasites are unlikely to appear in the chenille tissue;
- does not burn and does not absorb moisture;
- chenille - a fabric that does notspools are going.
How to care for a chenille?
Perhaps, one of the main and practically the only disadvantages of chenille is its ability to collect dust due to its fleecy texture. However, it will not be difficult to remove it - it is enough to vacuum the furniture, and shake out the textile accessories. Periodically, covers and curtains can be dry-cleaned.
If stains form on the upholstery of a sofa or chairs, depending on their cause and composition, they are completely removed in the following ways:
- special chemicals for upholstered furniture;
- warm water with shampoo or soap dissolved in it;
- 3% ammonia diluted in water.
When heavily soiled, chenille fabric can be washed in a washing machine in the synthetic mode with a temperature of no more than +40 C. Chenille is a fabric that is afraid of creasing when wet, so it should be dried without folds - stretched on a horizontal surface or hanging vertically.
Today, chenille is one of the five most popular materials used in the manufacture of soft headsets. If you decide to use chenille (fabric) decor as upholstery for a sofa or home decor, you can find reviews about it on the website of almost every self-respecting furniture factory. Basically, users note its high density, low cost relative to other similar materials, a rich assortment, the continuity of the structure and, despite the presence in the compositionsynthetic fibers, eco-friendly and hypoallergenic.
