How to make fur from fabric: chenille sewing technique

Fur has long been considered a luxury item, but with the right sewing techniques, fabric can be made to look and feel just like fur. The chenille sewing technique is one of the most intriguing methods for achieving this. Without using any animal products, this technique produces a soft, fluffy texture that can closely resemble fur.

To create the illusion of faux fur, the chenille technique entails layering fabric, sewing it in rows, and then cutting and fluffing the layers. It’s a creative process that lets you play around with different kinds of fabric and colors, which makes it ideal for creating one-of-a-kind and customized projects.

Chenille sewing creates endless possibilities for projects involving apparel, accessories, and home décor. This creative and environmentally friendly fur substitute can help you realize your ideas with just some fabric, a sewing machine, and a little perseverance.

Who invented chenille and what it looks like

Historians assert that the chenille technique is comparatively new. It probably started in France in the 18th century. To make chenille yarn, primary weave fabrics were cut into strips. Later, Scotland invented a technique for weaving fluffy shawls.

Wool bundles were heated rollers while they were sliced into strips and woven into a cloth. The end product was a very soft, curly chenille fabric. The method was enhanced. It started to be used to create oriental-style carpets in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Pieces of chenille yarn are used to make real chenille fabric.

In 1920, the original chenille-making technique was brought back. K. Evans made hand-sewn bedspreads fashionable. The trend of hand tufting has emerged. Patterned sheets were adhered to with dyed chenille yarn.

The demand for carpets, mats, bedspreads, and pillows grew to the point where retailers opened for business. To make canvases, they brought supplies to farming families, or "tafters." The final goods were offered for sale in department stores, occasionally on the side of the road, shrink-wrapped.

In the 1990s, chenille became popular in patchwork (quilting).

It was referred to as fake chenille (artificial) for a very long time. In addition, it replicated the quilting as well as the chenille fabric’s structure. The craftswomen made cuts after folding the flaps into a stack and sewing them in stripes rather than sewing them together. The product appeared to have been sewed using fragments of fabric:

Application of chenille

They refer to quilting as "false chenille" when discussing chenille sewing techniques. It is extensively utilized in the production of pillows, potholders, bedspreads, rugs, furniture upholstery, and other home furnishings.

Repairing clothes at home is a common use for this technique. The patches appear unique and fashionable.

Additionally, chenille can be used to make unique clothing items like dresses, jackets, capes, vests, and much more.

How to sew chenille?

Sewing chenille is a fairly easy technique. Included in it are the following:

1. Fabric pieces are folded in a stack.
2. Parallel stitches 1-2 cm wide are laid on the machine.
3. Cut the strips in the center, leaving the base (the first piece of fabric) intact.
4. Comb.

Important rules

The process of making chenille involves many subtleties. The most crucial piece of information is:

• Rule No. 1. The upper layers of fabric must be cut strictly diagonally, at an angle of 45 or 30 degrees to the grain threads. Then the edges will not crumble, and the “fur” will be neat, fluffy and soft.
• Rule No. 2. You need to select the layers for the chenille so that the "sandwich" is not too hard. Joining up to 5-7 layers is allowed if the fabric is thin. Usually the densest layer is the bottom one, and the rest are light.
• Rule #3. The top layer is the face of the chenille. The final appearance of the product depends on the color of the fabric. The middle, filling layers will shade it. It is important that the colors of the fabrics harmonize with each other. You can play on the contrast.
• Rule #4. To get "fur", cut all layers of fabric except the bottom one. It is important to use sharp scissors and make a cut between the lines strictly in the center.
• Rule #5. The thinner the top fabrics, the smaller the stitches should be. Then the line will reliably hold the threads, and the product will not "go bald".

Choice of materials

Expert seamstresses create chenille fabric with specialized knives and brushes. Novice artisans can survive with the following collection:

• sharp scissors that can evenly cut several layers of fabric;
• cuts of fabric;
• threads in color;
• ruler and pencil.

Additionally, a sewing machine is an absolute necessity for making chenille. Lay the lines by hand if they are too complicated or lengthy.

Simple master class for beginners

Beginners can easily pick up the Sinel style of sitting (much easier than classic quilling). Many attempt to sew denim patchwork. You can find old jeans in every home. We’re going to sew a little accent pillow.

• Denim section 25 by 35 cm – 1 pcs.;
• coat or other dense fabric – 35 by 45 cm – 1 pcs.;
• Chiffon, cotton, waffle section 25 by 35 cm – 2 pcs.;
• Pillow"s inside fabric – 35 by 45 cm – 1 pcs.

Cutting rectangles along the shared and transverse thread is required. In other words, the oblique must travel exactly diagonally.

Detailed instructions:

1. Draw a denim fabric into diagonal stripes 2 cm wide. Start drawing from the center of the rectangle, and move to the edges. To get an angle of 45 degrees, use the folded sheet of paper A4 format.
2. Fold the pieces in this order: thick fabric, two filling pieces, denim. The base should protrude by 5 cm on each side.
3. Fix the cuts with pins.
4. Sew the "sandwich" along the marked lines, setting the stitch length to 1-2 mm.
5. Cut the resulting strips in the center between the lines (3 upper layers).
6. Fold the chenille and the fabric for the back of the pillow face to face.
7. Sew around the perimeter, stepping back 5.5 cm from the edge. Leave a gap of 7-10 cm for turning.
8. Turn the pillow inside out, stuff it. Sew up the remaining hole with a blind stitch.
9. Fluff the strips with a stiff brush or a comb with strong teeth.

Sewing a chenille pillowcase: a master class

You’ll get better at making fabrics with increasingly intricate patterns over time. Chenille designs:

A unique method for turning regular fabric into a textured, soft, and aesthetically pleasing material that resembles fur is the chenille sewing technique. To create a plush, furry effect, we’ll walk you through the process of layering and sewing fabric strips in this article. Without using real fur, this do-it-yourself technique is ideal for giving clothes, accessories, or home décor a distinctive touch.

What other types of chenille are there

Chenille, broadly speaking, refers to any "terry" fabric, laces, short-pile threads, etc. Chenille is an alternative term for velvet and velvet. The material goes by several common names, including chenille, senile, and sinelle. The word "chenille" in French is the root of all of them.

"Caterpillar" is how the French word "chenille" is translated.

The substance does, in fact, resemble a fuzzy caterpillar. It occurs:

• Chenille yarn and threads. Fashion is cyclical. Today, chenille is popular again. Especially as threads and yarn. With their help, you can create embroidery and knitwear with a spectacular velour-corduroy surface.
• Chenille wire. Used for making all kinds of crafts and children"s toys.
• Chenille fabric (jacquard and others). It is often used to sew curtains and is used for furniture upholstery.

Wire and chenille threads resemble a bottle and jar cleaning brush. Villi that are thick and short are joined to the base.

The majority of the materials are synthetics, like acrylic. They are colorful, light, and moisture-resistant. The villi maintain their original shape and do not separate or become tangled. Chenille yarn knit goods look elegant and unique and hold their original appearance for a very long time.

The chenille sewing technique is a fun way to add texture and warmth to your projects by creating faux fur out of fabric. Fabrics can be layered, cut, and brushed to create a soft, fluffy finish that resembles fur in both appearance and texture.

Sewing chenille is an enjoyable and fulfilling endeavor. Because it doesn’t call for sophisticated equipment or sophisticated knowledge, both novice and seasoned crafters can use it. You can turn common materials into something special and comfortable with some fabric, a sewing machine, and a little perseverance.

The chenille method provides countless opportunities to add a unique touch to clothing, accessories, and home décor. To determine what works best for your project, try experimenting with different colors and fabrics. The end results will look impressive and give your items a polished, professional appearance.

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