Know your Fabric: Chiffon

Chiffon is a thin transparent fabric made typically from silk, nylon or rayon. It’s usually soft to touch and very delicate too. Chiffon is used for dresses, tops and blouses and even skirts
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It’s great to have chiffon looking good at all times. A poorly maintained chiffon fabric makes the item look really cheap and unattractive.

We are here to help you understand how to maintain that beautiful piece of fabric to ensure you have a good wear at all times.

How to wash Chiffon 

Being a delicate material, it is more advisable to wear the fabric as many times as possible before washing it out.

Chiffon can be hand washed or machine washed. Whatever the process, remember at all times that it is a very delicate fabric and should be treated as such.

If hand washing, get a large tub fill it with cold water, add some mild detergent powder or liquid soap. Swish to create bubbles then submerge the fabric into the soapy water completely. Soak for about 10 – 15 minutes to loosen any dirt. Rub the fabric very gently with your two hands and remove from the soapy water, refill with clean cold tap water. Repeat the gentle rub till the rinse water is clean and clear. Its ok if your fabric bleeds the first time out. It's ok, don’t fret. It's normal for some fabrics to bleed the first time.

If washing with machine, be careful to do up the zippers so it doesn’t snag any part of the fabric or embellishment during the wash. Turn the dress or fabric inside out and place inside a mesh bag. If no mesh bag is available, please drop the fabric in a pillowcase, tie it up and put it in the machine. Wash using a delicate cycle of between 4 – 7 minutes.

Drying the Chiffon Fabric

After washing, don’t squeeze out the fabric as that will cause a huge strain on the fabric (especially if it is embellished with stones or beads). Instead air dry it by spreading it out to dry in a cool breezy place but never directly under the sun. Never use a dryer for the chiffon fabric as the heat may destroy the fibres and also tear out the fibres and embellishments.

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Ironing the chiffon fabric

Pre-heat the iron on low heat, set the iron to chiffon if the iron comes with that as an option. Spread the damp fabric on the ironing board, and place a protective fabric over the section to be ironed and iron carefully. Do not use added moisture or water when you iron because any little drop will stain the fabric. Iron out section by section till you complete the ironing process. Once done, allow the fabric to cool thoroughly on the board.

You can hang your fabric to wear whenever you are ready.

Be elegant, wear Atunnise Clothiers!