What is chenille in embroidery?

A raised, looped yarn embroidery with a texture like terry towel, sewn on special chenille machines and best known from varsity letters and patches.

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Chenille, explained

A chenille machine uses a hooked needle to pull loops of yarn up through the base fabric, making the fluffy moss stitch, and many also sew a flat chain stitch for outlines and lettering. The letters are usually made on felt and then sewn onto the jacket, often with a felt border around them. Standard flat embroidery machines typically can't sew true chenille, and Embrizo doesn't make chenille files; for a flat stitched badge, see the patch guide.

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