Like the delicate wings of a butterfly, chiffon looks like a very fragile that it’s almost scary to touch it. It is a popular material used for many evening wear, especially as an overlay to give off the gown or dress that elegant and floating effect.
For many people, sewing the light and slippery material can be very challenging. But as they say, if you have the right techniques, the work should be simple.
In this article, you will know how to hem chiffon in two different ways—or shall we say, ‘techniques’?
Materials
- Sewing machine
- Sharp needle (size 60/8 to 70/10)
- Fine thread (50-100 weight silk or cotton)
- Shears or scissors
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Pressing cloth
Method No. 1: Narrowed Hem
- In hemming a sheer fabric, make sure that you adjust your machine with a number 2 stitch. You also need the 60/8 sharp needle to sew around the bottom of the garment half an inch from the raw edge.
- Using your iron, press the ½ inch stitched hem allowance in the wrong side of the cloth. Bear in mind that the first stitch-line should end up being on the fold.
- After ironing, sew 1/8 inch from the folded edge.
- Using a pair of sharp scissors, trim the excess cloth near the second line of stitching but be careful not to cut your stitches.
- Now, fold the cloth again to enclose the raw edge in the direction of the wrong side of the cloth. Sew very near the inside fold.
- Lastly, using an iron and pressing cloth (adjusted to a cool setting), press the hem flat.
Method No. 2: Reduced French Seam
- Firstly, put the two layers of the cloth together with their wrong sides facing each other. Adjust your machine for number 2 stitch length and make sure that you are using 60/8 sharp needle as well. Sew a half inch seam allowance into the chiffon.
- Now, using your sharp shears or scissors, trim the seam allowance as near to the stitching as possible.
- Next, open the seam and press it using your iron toward one side.
- Fold the fabric so that the right sides of the two layers are together and that the stitching is on the fold.
- Now, sew 1/8 inch from the fold to completely close the raw edge of the seam… and that’s it.