Chenille Stems

High-Quality Chenille Stems

Chenille stems, also known as chenille pipe cleaners, are a staple for crafters and are widely used in classrooms and workshops. It is a flexible wire core wrapped in soft fibre. You can twist them, make various shapes, hook or wrap them without losing structure. 

We stock a wide selection of craft-ready options, and our chenille stems are consistently among our top sellers. We offer bright as well as subtle colours, and mini lengths so that you can pick the right stem for modelling, floral work, costume detail, kids' activities, or small repairs.

Available in common craft sizes, such as 0.6 x 30 cm, and convenient retail packs of 100, our chenille stems are chosen for their consistent thickness, reliable colourfast finishes, and easy handling.

Whether you’re making decorations, supporting a model frame, running an arts session for a group, or teaching fine-motor skills to a group of children, you can count on our collection of chenille stems.

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Popular Uses of Chenille Stems We Sell Online

  • 1. Classroom Craft

    Perfect for school sessions and early years learning, as kids can use chenille stems to build simple shapes and practise fine motor skills. Our pre-cut chenille stems/chenille pipe cleaners are easy to hand out for lessons by teachers. 

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  • 2. Floral Work and Bouquets

    Chenille stems provide a soft, decorative tie for stems and arrangements or act as unobtrusive internal support. You can use white and green chenille stems as a non-abrasive tie for posies and light floral displays. They hold shape without damaging petals or foliage.

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  • 3. Costume and Dressmaking Details

    Bright, bendable stems are ideal for costume trims, antennae and playful millinery details. The consistent gauge across our stock ensures predictable shaping when you stitch or glue chenille pipe cleaners into fabric.

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  • 4. Bags and Jewellery Making 

    You can make decorative bag charms, simple wire-wrapped pendants or bead frames using our standard chenille stems. Their soft wrap protects beads and trims, while the wire core keeps shapes steady for small accessory work.

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  • 5. Model Making and Prototyping 

    Artists and hobbyists use these chenille stems as flexible armatures for models and prototypes. The 0.6mm gauge and 30 cm length are great for building small frames that can be easily reworked.

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  • 6. Seasonal Decorations 

    From wreath ties to tree decorations and classroom displays, bulk packs for single-colour chenille pipe cleaners make quick, low-cost seasonal decor. Order multiple colours for coordinated sets and craft sessions.

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Chenille Stems FAQs

What are chenille stems used for?

Chenille stems are hugely versatile and can be used for classroom craft and fine-motor activities. Single and colour packs make classroom organisation simple and mess-free. Florists use coloured stems for light posies, costume designers add them as trims on antennas, makers use them as armatures for models, and crafters make jewellery and seasonal decoration. At Realm Wholesale, you’ll find ready-to-use packs (most commonly packs of 100- 0.6 X 30 cm) across several colours. Check out the full collection to choose the right colour and quality.

What is another name for a chenille stem?

The common alternative names are chenille pipe cleaner (often shortened to “pipe cleaners”). At Realm Wholesale, we list these products under Chenille Stems. The collection includes individual colour packs (pack of 100) and multiple colours such as red, blue, green, white, yellow, pink and mixed assortments, giving you plenty of options for crafting sessions and retail use.

Why are they called chenille stems?

Chenille is French for “caterpillar,” referencing the fuzzy, caterpillar-like pile that wraps the wire core and “stem” describes the craft-friendly, pre-cut format (like a plant stem) used in floral and craft work. Our chenille stems combine a pliable wire core with a soft fibre wrap, so they hold shape without scratching. You may try a 0.6 × 30 cm pack to test the texture and flexibility.

Are pipe cleaners now called chenille stems?

Yes, in most craft and education settings, “pipe cleaners” are now widely referred to as Chenille stem. At Realm Wholesale, we use the updated term and stock them in multiple colours and pack sizes across our Chenille Stems collection, including 100-piece colour packs and mixed assorted bundles for schools and bulk buyers.

What are Chenille Stems Used For?

Chenille stems, also referred to as chenille pipe cleaners, are small brushes originally designed to remove moisture and residue from smoking pipes. The use case of these flexible and fuzzy chenille stems has changed over time, and today, it is widely used by crafters to build playful handmade designs.

At Realm Wholesale, our chenille stems are versatile and essential for both creative crafters and school projects. 

They’re perfect for costume trims, bags or jewellery making and miniature model building, as the soft bendable core holds shapes securely without scratching.

For seasonal or festive crafts, use our bright colours like green, red and orange, among others, to add playful, affordable details. Get in touch with our experts or explore our full range of Chenille Stems collection to find the perfect colours and quantities for your next project.

Benefits of Buying Your Chenille Stems from Us

  • Reliable Craft Ready Quality

    All our chenille stems are selected for consistent thickness, strong wire cores and soft, colourfast fibres, making them easy to give shape and use across various craft projects.

  • Bulk Value for Schools and Makers

    Realm Wholesale is known for offering great value on bulk packs, especially our 100-piece colour packs and assorted mixed bundles. Whether you’re stocking a workshop or retail shelf, you get dependable quality at competitive wholesale prices.

  • Fast UK Delivery and Easy Ordering

    We offer well-organised collections and simple pack options. Plus, with fast delivery, you can order your craft essentials without delay. Many customers pair chenille stems with our popular supplies for a complete, ready-to-use craft setup.

Trusted Online Supplier Of Chenille Stems

At Realm Wholesale, we specialise in haberdashery and craft supplies for both experienced makers and casual crafters. We are a family-run business that takes pride in sourcing high-quality chenille stems. Our products are chosen for reliability and consistent performance. 

We regularly refresh our range of chenille stems to meet customer demand. We ship directly to your door, making us a convenient choice when you need supplies quickly.

Whether you’re buying a single pack or ordering in bulk, Realm Wholesale offers great value to crafters. Our bulk options mean you get dependable, craft-ready chenille stems at prices that suit group projects and repeat use.

If you need help choosing the right chenille stems or advice on quantities, connect with us. Our experts can guide you with all your haberdashery and craft needs.

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