Chiffon Sheer Fabric

What is chiffon?
Chiffon is a light weight, balanced, plain-woven sheer fabric known for its delicate and airy appearance.
Originally made from silk, chiffon was a luxury fabric associated with wealth and status. It is now commonly produced using synthetic fibres and a soft, flowing drape making it ideal for romantic style garments that need to move gracefully.
Its key characteristics are its sheer, transparent quality appearance, soft drape, easy care and smooth handle and wrinkle resistance.

What are the uses for Chiffon fabric?
Evening Wear: Chiffon is a popular choice for gowns, dresses, and other formal attire due to its elegant look.
Bridal Wear: Its ethereal quality makes it a favourite for wedding gowns, prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses and veils.
Lingerie: The delicate texture and drape of chiffon is well-suited for lingerie and sleepwear.
Scarves and Accessories: It is often used for scarves, shawls, and other accessories.

How to sew chiffon:
Pin chiffon using plenty of extra fine dressmaking pins that have either glass or metal heads so that you may keep them in if pressing/ironing is needed.
When sewing, use a fine machine needle such as Hemline Universal Fine 70/10 or Schmetz Microtex 70/10.
When sewing chiffon we would recommend a shorter stitch length (between 12-20 stitches per inch). Sew chiffon slowly as fast sewing causes it to bunch up. If you have a straight stitch needle plate and/or a straight stitch presser foot, use them.

How to wash Chiffon fabric:
Do not pre-wash chiffon when sewing, it will fray at the edges and no shrinkage should be expected from a pure polyester cloth. Hand washing in cool water is recommended for delicate fabrics such as polyester chiffon, or you can machine wash on a gentle cycle with it placed within a mesh laundry bag. Avoid harsh detergents, bleach or wringing the fabric out. Dry flat or hang on a padded hanger, away from direct sunlight and heat.

If you must iron the fabric, iron with caution on its coolest setting using a pressing cloth to protect it. Steaming is an effective and safer method for removing any wrinkles from chiffon.