FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
USING
Chenille By The Inch®

Q? How do I use Chenille By The Inch®?

Ans. View the tutorial.

Q? What is the purpose of the white backing material that I remove and discard?

Ans. The backing material is polyester stabilizer that stabilizes the chenille fabric. The chenille fabric is sewn on the bias, and without the stabilizer, the fabric would warp and stretch so that the sewn stitch lines would no longer be straight but wavy. Wavy stitch lines would make it difficult to cut strips having equal fabric on either side of the stitch line. It is necessary to keep the stabilizer in place during production, packaging, shipping and customer handling, to prevent warp and stretch.

Q? Why is it important to cut the chenille fabric with equal material on either side of the stitch line?

Ans. When the chenille fabric "fluffs", it actually curls around the stitch line holding it to the background fabric. If there is unequal material on either side of the stitch line, the curl appears "fuller" on the side having the greater material.

Q? Can I baste stitch Chenille By The Inch® down?

Ans. No. The presewn stitch line is your guide to sewing down the chenille fabric. If you sew directly on top of the presewn line, then the fibers will have a double lockstitch to help hold them in place. A tighter stitch (more stitches per inch) will better hold the fibers.

Q? Can I heat bond Chenille By The Inch® to my background fabric?

Ans. No. This would bond the bottom layer of Chenille By The Inch® fabric to your background fabric. This layer would not curl and add to the fluff.
However, it is possible to use a water soluble double-sided tape such as Collins Wonder Tape® to hold the Chenille By The Inch® fabric in place prior to stitching.

Q? Is brushing Chenille By The Inch® necessary? Wouldn't laundering accomplish the same thing?

Ans. For our original Chenille By The Inch®, and Confetti Chenille By The Inch®, brushing is necessary, and laundering will not fully fluff the fabric.
For our new Easy Fluff Chenille By The Inch®, brushing is optional. Full bloom of the chenille may be obtained by laundering only.

Q? Will any brush fluff Chenille By The Inch®?

Ans. No. Fabric Cafe has tested dozens of brushes. Polyester brushes, such as toothbrushes, are too soft to separate the fibers. Toothbrushes are also too small to get the job done quickly even if they were stiffer. Wire brushes are too firm, and will damage the background fabric. Fabric Cafe's brushes are made to our specifications to provide a firm bristle, with an ample working surface, and an ergonomic handle.

Q? Can I cut strips from Chenille By The Inch® fabric using any ruler?

Ans. Yes. Just make sure the cut is centered between the stitch lines so there is equal material on either side of the stitch line. Fabric Cafe's cutting guide has a scribe line that is placed directly over the presewn stitch line which ensures equal material.

Q? Can I make my own chenille fabric?

Ans. Yes. However the process is very labor intensive. Moreover, the stitch lines must be straight to allow easy cutting into strips, and the stitch lines should be equally spaced, otherwise the fabric will be unequal on either side of the stitch line.