Canyon Group Chenille Information, Sizing Assistance, and Care Instructions

About Canyon Group Chenille: Canyon Group chenille is authentic chenille made in Dalton, Georgia, the birthplace of the chenille industry.  Canyon Group is the only chenille manufacturer remaining in the United States. Most Canyon Group chenille is made from a 50% cotton/50% polyester blend, which is necessary to pass Federal flammability requirements for adult sleepwear.  100% cotton chenille does not pass flammability testing and, therefore, can not be used to made bathrobes.  Canyon Group does, however, offer their zip-front, hooded jackets in 100% cotton chenille. Canyon Group offers their robes in 4 types of chenille, "plush," "demi," "crayon," and "duet."  Plush chenille has dense lines of chenille, resulting in a thicker, warmer robe that is perfect for cold weather.  Demi chenille has less dense lines of chenille, resulting in a lighter weight fabric that is best for warmer weather or those customers who simply prefer a lighter weight robe.  Canyon Group's "crayon" chenille is the perfect combination of plush and demi chenille.  It has the obvious lines of chenille, like demi chenille, but the lines of chenille are thicker and wider, resulting in a warm, cozy fabric that is perfect for colder weather, just like plush chenille! As you can see in the above pictures, the coin spans 3 lines of crayon chenille, whereas the same coin spans 5 lines of demi chenille. Canyon Group's duet chenille is a slightly lighter weight version of their plush chenille.  Duet chenille is made just like plush chenille, except after every 4 lines of dense chenille, there is an empty line, creating an overall look of very wide lines of chenille: All Canyon Group chenille has stitching in the form of lines and/or designs, just like Grandma's bedspread.  Their chenille is not faux chenille, micro-chenille, or any other fabric trying to imitate the look and feel of authentic chenille.  The inside or "wrong" side of authentic chenille must have visible stitching, an example of which is shown in this picture of Canyon Group's "demi" chenille: The following picture shows the inside or "wrong" of Canyon Group's famous "Wedding Cake" chenille, which is more reminiscent of vintage chenille and made differently than their plush, demi, and crayon chenille.  For this fabric, the chenille is not stitched in lines, but rather, in the form of flowers, swirls, and circles, showing much more of the white fabric backing.  In addition to their "Wedding Cake" chenille, Canyon Group also used this method to make their equally fabulous "Auntie Em" and "Tea and Sympathy" chenille, all of which have now been discontinued. As shown in the previous pictures, authentic chenille will have visible stitching on the inside or "wrong" side of the fabric.  If you do not see stitching on the inside of the fabric, it is not authentic chenille.  The space between the stitching may vary based on the type of chenille and manufacturer, but the stitching must be present for the fabric to be authentic chenille.  The "right" side of chenille will have a fluffy nap (in straight lines or in the shape of designs), which is how it received it's name ("chenille" is the French word for "caterpillar"). The ends of the fluffy yarn are each snipped close to the base fabric and are not loops, like you would see on terry cloth fabric. After each chenille robe is made, Canyon Group then marks the location of each colorful design by hand, and each design is then tufted onto the chenille robe using 100% cotton yarn.  These designs are not patches or appliqués, but actually become a soft and fluffy part of the fabric.  This is an example of a solid-colored heart tufted onto lipstick pink plush chenille: This example is of a multi-colored cupcake tufted onto mint green demi chenille: Canyon Group Robe Sizing Information: Rose Garden Boutique carries three styles of Canyon Group chenille bathrobes, the 48-inch wrap robe, the 48-inch zip-front robe, and the 36-inch kimono wrap robe.  All robes are slightly oversized for comfort, have separate belts (unless otherwise specified), and are available in a wide range of sizes, designs, and colors.  All of the 56-inch heirloom and vintage-inspired fitted robes (including Wedding Cake, Auntie Em, Tea and Sympathy, Sweet Pea, Rosy, Hearts & Vines, and Morning Glory) have been discontinued by Canyon Group and are, therefore, not available. Canyon Group's sizing is based on ladies' dress size.  Please use the table below to assist you in selecting the correct size for each robe style.  Because all sizes listed are US sizes, we recommend that international customers consult an online size conversion chart for assistance with size selection.  Please contact us by email should you need additional assistance with sizing.  SIZING FOR MEN: Ever since Brad Pitt wore the ladies' lilac Coffee Talk wrap robe in the movie "Fight Club," men have wanted this robe!  For a man, Canyon Group suggests purchasing one size larger than his casual shirt size (for example, if he wears a size XL shirt, then purchase a size 1X robe). Robe Style Approximate Ladies` Size (as suggested by Canyon Group) 48-Inch Wrap and Zip Front Robes (available in sizes S - 3X) Small = 6-8 Medium = 10-12 Large = 14 XL = 16 1X = 16-18 * 2X = 20-22 * 3X = 24-26 * 36-Inch Kimono (Short) Wrap Robes (available in sizes XS/S, M/L, and XL/XXL XS/S = 4-8 M/L = 10-14 XL/XXL = 16-20 * feedback from customers indicates the X (plus) size wrap robes tend to run a bit smaller than expected, so please keep this in mind when selecting your size. The lengths stated above are the average lengths for each style of robe, and the actual length will vary by size.  Based on the size you purchase and your height, your wrap or zip-front robe should hit from below the knee to mid calf, and your kimono robe should hit from mid to lower thigh.  Because each robe is individually made by the seamstresses at Canyon Group, the actual measurements may vary slightly among same-sized robes.  If you are debating between two sizes, we suggest selecting the larger size.  We find that most people prefer a roomy fit instead of a snug fit.  However, because fit preferences will vary from one customer to the next and bodies can be disproportionate, we are not able to guarantee the fit or sizing of your robe.  Please note that Canyon Group has made robes according to individual store specifications.  For example, all Canyon Group chenille robes sold by QVC and Junonia (and possibly other stores) were made from patterns specifically designed for each of these vendors.  Therefore, sizing for robes purchased elsewhere may differ from that of robes purchased from our store. Canyon Group Chenille Care Instructions: All Canyon Group chenille robes are pre-washed by the manufacturer prior to shipment to our store.  This helps remove the dark markings on the inside of each robe, which identify the location of the tufted designs.  It also helps fluff the yarn used to tuft the designs.  On lighter colored robes, you may still see small, dark dots on the inside of your robe, along the edges of the tufted designs.  These markings will come out when your robe is laundered. Because each chenille robe is marked by hand, placement of the tufted designs may vary, resulting in no two robes being exactly alike!  All designs are carefully tufted onto each robe by one of Canyon Group's talented design staff using a specialized, hand-guided machine, although some tiny details, fabric reinforcements, and placement of missed stitches are often done by hand.  There may be slight variations in the yarn colors used for the tufted designs, due to differences in dye lots and availability, but the overall look of the designs will not be affected.  Minor variations in the color of the chenille can occur based on how the natural and synthetic fibers accept the dye.  Although all of the colors appear true on our computer, they may appear slightly different to you, based on your computer settings. The process of making chenille involves piercing a fabric backing with hundred of needles of yarn to make the fluffy lines of chenille, which results in a somewhat delicate fabric.  Rarely, unusual or excessive stress along the lines of chenille can result in tearing, so please ensure that your robe has a loose, comfortable fit and is not wrapped too tightly at areas where your body bends or twists. To protect the chenille, Canyon Group recommends washing your robe inside out and by itself, on the gentle cycle in cold water.  Then, immediately fluff your robe by itself in the dryer on the lowest heat setting.  Based on the fiber content, your robe should not shrink if it is washed and dried as instructed.  You should expect your robe to shed some lint during the first few washings.  This will decrease with subsequent washings.  You may choose to brush your robe with a stiff-bristled brush to fluff the yarn and remove any lint that may cling to your robe when removed from the dryer.  To further fluff your robe, you may also choose to spritz your dry robe lightly with 1/4 strength fabric softener, then toss in the dryer for 10-15 minutes.  Never wash or dry any chenille product with another garment that has velcro closures.  The velcro may attach itself to the chenille and pull out the individual tufts of yarn, leaving bald areas on your chenille robe or jacket.  Please always wash and dry your Canyon Group chenille shower wrap with the velcro closure securely attached to prevent damage to the chenille! If you store your winter chenille robe away during the summer months (or vice versa), please be aware that mice love chenille yarn for their nests!  If you ever find a patch on your robe that is missing some of the yarn, this is usually due to mice.  As a result of pulling out the tufts of yarn, mice may also create small holes in the fabric backing of the chenille.  Please be sure to store your robe in a well-sealed container, away from areas where mice may live; such as attics, basements, garages, sheds, and storage units.  Rarely, even robes hanging in closets have been damaged by mice.