Chiffon Product Guide: What Is Chiffon & How to Use It?

Chiffon is a silky smooth, lightweight fabric that can be a little tricky to sew because of how slippery it can be. So here are a few tips to help you through it on how to care for, sew and iron chiffon.

1. Care & Preparation

Pre-wash the fabric if you wish, using the method you plan to launder the finished garment. We generally recommend dry cleaning, but if you must, wash on a delicate cycle or hand wash in cold water and hang to dry.

2. Cutting Chiffon

When cutting Chiffon, use sharp shears and cut slowly, checking often to make sure that your fabric has not slipped. It is a great idea to mark out what you are cutting with a fabric marker beforehand, so you can see that your lines are straight before you make your cuts. We don’t recommend folding the fabric in half and cutting on the fold, because of how slippery this fabric can be.

3. Stabilizing & Pinning

Chiffon fabric is lightweight and sheer, which can make it challenging to handle while sewing. To stabilize the fabric and prevent shifting or stretching, consider using a stabilizer. You can use lightweight fusible interfacing, tissue paper, or even a temporary fabric spray adhesive. Apply the stabilizer to the areas you plan to sew or hem, ensuring it doesn’t add excessive bulk or compromise the drape of the fabric. When pinning chiffon, use lots of extra thin pins, preferably a silk pin, but anything size 17 and under would work well.

4. Sewing Chiffon

Chiffon can be tricky to work with if you are not used to sewing lightweight and sheer fabrics. But there are a few tricks you can use.

• Needle and Thread: Opt for a fine needle, such as a size 9 or 11, specifically designed for lightweight fabrics. Using a polyester or silk thread in a color that matches your fabric will help it blend seamlessly.
• Starting the Stitch: If you are having a hard time getting a stitch started (ie- it keeps getting sucked into your machine) place tissue paper or fabric stabilizer on the top or bottom of your fabric and sew like normal. Then after you are done sewing you can just rip the paper away.
• Stitch Length: Increase the stitch length on your sewing machine to prevent the fabric from getting caught in the feed dogs. A longer stitch length, around 2.5 to 3 mm, will ensure smoother stitching without excessive tension.
• Seam Finishes: Chiffon is prone to fraying, so it’s essential to finish your seams. You can use a French seam, narrow zigzag stitch, or overlocking/serging for a clean and secure edge. Alternatively, you can also consider using a binding or bias tape to enclose the raw edges.
• Test and Adjust: Before sewing on your main project, it’s advisable to test stitch on a fabric scrap. This allows you to adjust the tension, stitch length, and needle choice to achieve the desired results.
• Sewing Lightweight or Slippery Fabrics: One pro tip is using a walking foot. If you plan on sewing lightweight or slippery fabrics often this is going to be a great tool for you. The walking foot adds feed dogs on the top of the fabric so it gets pushed through on both sides.

5. Ironing Chiffon

Ironing chiffon can be tricky due to its delicate nature. Here are some guidelines to follow when ironing chiffon:

• Temperature: Set your iron to a low heat or the “silk” setting. Avoid using high heat, as it can scorch or melt the fabric.
• Use a Press Cloth: Place a press cloth, such as a thin cotton or muslin fabric, between the iron and chiffon to protect it from direct heat. This prevents the fabric from becoming shiny or getting imprints from the iron.
• Gentle Pressure: Apply minimal pressure while ironing chiffon. Use a gentle, gliding motion and avoid pressing down too hard, as it can stretch or distort the fabric.
• Test on a Scrap: Always test the iron on a fabric scrap before ironing your project to ensure the temperature and pressure are suitable.

Discover the sheer elegance of chiffon fabric in our curated collection. With a range of colors and textures to choose from, you can bring your creative visions to life. Explore the limitless possibilities that chiffon brings to your designs as you browse our chiffon collection and unleash your creativity.