A woman is the embodiment of style and taste. To look perfect and feminine, you need to be able to choose outfits not only by chance, but also by other parameters. To get rid of problems and create an image of a sophisticated and stylish person, it is enough to bring things from chiffon to your wardrobe.
Chiffon allows you to create original and light models of dresses, blouses, shawls, scarves. You should not be limited only to special cases, chiffon dresses are perfect for everyday wear. What is chiffon, its composition, how and what to wear, what kind is better to choose? Read about all this in the article.
A bit of history
Few people know that chiffon in translation from French means "rag". It's hard to believe! Indeed, it is from this fabric that dresses and dresses are sewn for world famous people. Fashion designers even came up with the expression “clothes for the red carpet” for such cases.
The birthplace of chiffon fabric is China. The first mention of chiffon dates back to the 18th century. Masters created a new type of weaving, the basis of which is the cross. This technique allowed the creation of tubercles on a thin light tissue. The cost of such material was quite high, since the raw materials were expensive, the work was difficult. But over time, learned to make artificial silk, so chiffon began to cost much cheaper. Fortunately, this did not affect his demand, on the contrary, he even grew.
What is chiffon
Chiffon is a thin transparent or dense fabric that creates a feeling of weightlessness and lightness. Chiffon emphasizes not only femininity, but also gives the image of airiness. This is what determines its popularity among the fair sex. Due to the variety of colors and textures, every woman will be able to choose an outfit to her taste and preferences.
Chiffon blouses and dresses can be both everyday and evening, dedicated to some special event. Chiffon is also used to create scarves and scarves. The material is not only beautiful and airy, but also durable.
Chiffon Properties
Chiffon has the following characteristics:
- It is a lightweight fabric.
- Thin.
- Streaming.
- Lasting.
- Transparent or dense.
- Does not accumulate static electricity.
Types of fabric
Types of chiffon can be very diverse. This is due to the fact that several bases can be mixed at once in production.
Due to the different combinations, you can change not only the appearance, but also the strength. Below is a list of types of chiffon fabric with a description:
- Jacquard chiffon - smooth, opaque, almost no creases. From it sew summer dresses of bright colors and various lengths. Also light trouser suits are made from this fabric.
- Chiffon crepe, differs from other species in its strength and relative density. Wide skirts, flared blouses and dresses of a free cut, as well as summer overalls are made from this fabric. This type is more often used for making men's blouses.
- Chiffon Chameleon. This type of fabric is popular for its transparency, shimmers in the light, especially in the sun. It is represented by a wide color palette. Can be used for scarves, as well as for decor. The color of the chiffon depends on how the light falls.
- Chiffon satin. Such chiffon is made most often with the use of rep threads. The fabric is designed for evening dresses or other dresses. The material seems smooth and flowing, emphasizes the silhouette of a woman. It is often decorated with a romantic ruffle, which adds splendor to the product. Such images make you feel like a queen.
- Perlschiffon. As can be seen from the name of the species itself, the fabric has a pearly shade. This is most often used for costumes of artists, for example, in the theater they use such material to highlight the main characters against the general background.
Chiffon Composition
This fabric is quite unusual and, perhaps, not many people know what it is made of. The composition of different species differs, not only in external data, but also in what is used as a basis.
- Silk. The finest threads from the cocoon of a silkworm in a special way of weaving create a beautiful material playing with overflows.
- Cotton. Technologies do not stand still, and therefore ordinary cotton on special machines becomes a thin and strong thread, which subsequently serves as the basis for a light but strong chiffon.
- Viscose. In order to obtain viscose filaments, cellulose is processed, disconnected and driven through special molds. This thread is used to produce a thin web.
- Polyester. Fully artificially created fabric. The most durable and durable.
- Polyamide. Like the previous type of base, made artificially from plastic. This allows the material to be more resistant to mechanical damage.
Application area
Chiffon is very relevant not only for evening dresses, but also for daily wear. It is used in their wardrobe not only by women, but also by the stronger sex. Soft flowing blouses, skirts and dresses emphasize the silhouette and add zest to the image.
Experienced designers have long noticed chiffon as a huge field for imagination. Thanks to this material, you can create original stage costumes, ball gowns, shawls and stoles.
Many needlewomen often want to use chiffon for sewing their wardrobe, but do not dare, because they lack experience. Despite this, the beauty of the products is fascinating, and beginners are ready to try to sew something from it. In order for the product to turn out beautiful, several rules must be observed.
Right cut
In order for the material not to lose its appearance, it is necessary to use a circular knife, as well as a tailor's stand. The stand is a rather expensive pleasure, so you can use several layers of paper or a piece of natural calico. The paper is heavily cut, and it will take a lot. A sheet of paper should be consistent with the width and length of the product so as not to move the material. In order for the cut patterns to be even, it is necessary to smooth out the chiffon on the first layer of paper, and cover it with another sheet of paper on top. And only after that apply the pattern and cut. If a fabric is used as a substrate, it is necessary to lay chiffon on it, smooth it with your palms and then make a sketch of the pattern with chalk. Next, only chiffon is cut. Leave the bottom material on which it is untouched. Pins needles should not be used, since chiffon is a very delicate and thin fabric, it can be damaged by the action of sharp objects such as pins.
How to sew
In order not to damage the fabric, it is worth using only new sharp machine needles and very thin threads. If the needle is thick, you risk getting unwanted holes on the chiffon, sometimes the material can get under the needle. It will not be easy to fix it, not only time will be lost, but the fabric will lose its attractive appearance. It is better to adjust the seams as follows: the average number of stitches per 1 cm should be 7-9 pieces. It is also worth checking that the seam is smooth without waves and assemblies.
So that the fabric does not slip and lie smoother, you can use hair spray, but before that it is worth checking to see if it leaves stains on the fabric. Seam processing and allowances must be done very carefully, it is best to use an overlock. Sometimes a double French seam is used to fasten. To do this, the edges of the product are folded on the wrong sides, stocks are stacked, then the parts are folded on the front sides, and a line is drawn along them along lines marked in advance. Thus, the seams will be hidden or pass exactly along the bend.
Most often, such a seam is used to trim the neckline on a transparent dress. A tie is added to it, due to this the edge is strengthened. This is done after the back clasp is ready. The French seam on the chiffon product looks most neat. And it is worth considering that the finer the chiffon, the better the product.
How to iron and care for products
If your product is made of natural silk chiffon, then you can not do without dry cleaning. And in the case of synthetic fiber, it can be washed in a washing machine in a gentle mode or with your hands. For washing, it is better to use mild liquid detergents. Also, do not forget about the conditioner, which gives smoothness, softens the fabric, and also makes ironing easier.
Chiffon is ironed at fairly low temperatures. Many modern irons are equipped with programs that are configured for a certain type of fabric, among them there should be a program for ironing chiffon. Mistresses with experience say how to process chiffon, according to their advice, it is best to use a steamer. In this case, things should be hung on a hanger, doused with steam and left for about an hour. The effect of steam favorably affects the fibers of the fabric, makes them softer, so the fabric smoothes much faster.
The product will wrinkle less if during washing the fabric was not subjected to squeezing, twisting, and also dried in an upright position. Care and ironing largely depends on what quality the fabric has, as well as what kind it is. If the fabric is heavy and dense, for example, like jacquard chiffon, then in order to give it the correct shape, you need to iron all the folds, it will be quite problematic, but still possible.