Classically, curtains made from chenille have been considered beautiful but problematic. Chenille fabric can often fade in sunlight, and it frequently ravels if not sewn carefully. Manufacturers have worked diligently to address both issues but finding the best chenille curtains can still be difficult. By using a combination of product reviews and close personal inspection, however, you can almost certainly find the best chenille curtains for your home.
A good place to start your search would be the websites of home decorating and department stores that sell curtains in your area. Generally, when you click on the pictures of individual products, you will be taken to a page with a close-up picture and description of the product. When reading the description, there are several things you probably should consider.
Often, chenille fabric is treated with chemicals to prevent fading. Another common solution is for a fade-resistant material to be sewn onto the back of the curtain. The backing absorbs most of harmful sunlight without changing the viewable appearance. Both the backing and the chemical treatments are major selling points and will almost certainly be listed in the product description if either is present in the drapes. Chenille made from rayon often fades quickly, so consider choosing curtains made from cotton, acrylic or olefin. That information should also be listed clearly in the product description.
You should also examine the product picture carefully. In high-quality chenille curtains, the backing is the same color as the fabric and extends slightly onto the front of the curtains. This creates an attractive piped border that helps prevent fading along the edges. The hanging curtains should be completely even, and there should be no narrowing of the width of the curtain at the seam lines.
Often, reviews by people who have bought the curtains will be listed on the page as well. If not, you can usually find reviews by copying the name of the product and doing an Internet search. Obviously, you should steer clear of chenille curtains with bad reviews, especially ones that specifically list fading or raveling as problems.
Whether you purchase the chenille curtains online or in person, a careful inspection of the curtains before and after hanging is important. When examining chenille curtains, you should check carefully for any loose threads or fraying of the fabric. The stitching should be small and flat, and there shouldn’t be any gathering of the fabric between the individual stitches. The curtain should hang flat and straight with no obvious warping or bunching of the fabric. If any of these problems are evident, you should consider returning or exchanging the curtains for a different pair or possibly even a different brand.