How to Create a Chenille Bedspread

Mock or faux chenille became popular in the fall of 1996 when a stitch and slash jacket by Christine Bramhall graced the cover of "Threads" magazine. Today, you'll see quilts, blankets, bedspreads and other items made of this fluffy fluid fabric at any sewing or quilting show. Making a chenille bedspread is not very difficult and can be fun.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sewing machine
• Cutting mat
• Rotary cutter
• Straight pins
• Five or six pieces of flannel in different colors and patterns cut to size
• Binding (2.5" wide)
• Chenille brush (optional)

1. Choose your fabrics. Your base fabric should look good from both sides. Choose four or five other fabrics in complementary colors. Avoid colors that will bleed when washing. Cut all fabrics to the right size.

2. Place the base fabric on the bottom and layer the other pieces on tip. Smooth the fabrics and pin the layers together.

3. Sew the five or six layers of fabric together around the edges. Remove the pins. These stitches will be removed, so make them loose and long.

4. Stitch lines down the fabric about 1/2 inch apart. Cut each layer except the base fabric between the lines.

5. Apply binding around the edges using 2.5" binding folded lengthwise. Sew in place.

6. Fluff the rows by washing the fabric on delicate and air drying.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your sides are straight, even if you have to trim a little.
• There are lots of products that are available for making chenille. Omnistrips are 24" long cutting mats that come in different widths; they can be placed between stitching lines to help keep the spaces between lines equal.

Resources

• The Sew and Quilt website features an article on making mock chenille.
• Make It Easy sewing and crafts website offers tips for making chenille.
• Try the Quilt Bus website before making your own chenille.