In French, the word chenille means “caterpillar,” the worm-like insect that, after a period of time in a chrysalis, becomes a butterfly. Most caterpillars are a few inches long and are covered in short hairs that give them a fuzzy look. It is this particular look that yielded the name chenille for a certain type of fabric. Chenille yarn is quite thick, soft, and fuzzy. Lengths of chenille yarn do look, in fact, like long caterpillars.

Manufacturers of chenille use begin by creating a tightly wound core for the yarn. Then short lengths of fabric, which are referred to in the industry as piles of fabric, are wrapped about the core. Once the fabric is wrapped around the core, its edges stand at right angles from the center of the fabric. This gives chenille both its softness and its characteristic look. Depending on the type of fabric that is used to create chenille, as well as the tonality of the color, chenille can have a lovely iridescent look to it without actually using iridescent fabric.

Fabrics like mohair and wool, are named specifically for the type of fibers that they are made of. This is not true for chenille. Rather, the distinguishing factor for this fabric is the way in which it is made. The fabric piles used to create chenille are most commonly cotton. However, chenille can also be made of rayon, acrylic, and olefin fibers.

Textile historians believe that chenille has been produced since the 18th century. However, it was not until last century that chenille developed widespread popularity. In the 1930s, chenille became a popular fabric for housewares. Very sturdy versions of the yarn were used on bedspreads and even carpets. In the 1970s, it became a commercialized in garments. But it was not until almost two decade’s later, in the 1990s, when standards for production were developed for chenille. In fact, there is currently an organization dedicated to the improvement and development of chenille manufacturing processes. This organization is known as the CIMA, or Chenille International Manufacturers Association.

If you currently own a chenille garment, or are considering incorporating the fabric into your wardrobe, it is important to know how to care for it. Almost all chenille fabrics should be dry cleaned. However, if you do decide to hand-wash it, make sure that you do not hang it to dry as it will almost certainly stretch. This can ruin the form of your garment. Rather, when hand washing chenille, be sure to dry it flat.