Shirring Nylon Chiffon

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  Shirring (pronounced like shur) is when you have rows of gathering. Since nylon chiffon is lightweight and delicate, it produces an elegant effect when shirred. Most often, an elastic thread is used when shirring to make the fabric stretchable.  

How to shirr nylon chiffon

1. Wind (by hand) an elastic thread onto the bobbin of your sewing machine. Use a moderate tension when winding. Attach the bobbin to the sewing machine.
2. Fix a spool of regular cotton thread on the machine and insert the thread in the needle. Sew on a scrap piece of fabric to test the tension. It should be tight enough to hold the fabric taut, but not make it stretchy.
3. Leave a long tail of elastic thread and forward and reverse stitch three times to lock the stitch and give a firm foundation to the elastic. Use long length when stitching the nylon chiffon that you want to shirr. Follow the edge of the chiffon for alignment.
4. End the line by forward and reverse stitching three times to keep the elastic firmly stitched. Leave a long tail before starting the next line of stitches.
5. Knot the elastic tails two or three times so that the thread does not unravel. Cut away excess elastic thread.
6. Stitch at least 4 more rows to give a professional shirred look to the chiffon fabric. Stitch more rows, as desired.
7. Iron over the sewn lines using steam so that the elastic bunches up to give a shirred look to the chiffon. When ironing, use a medium setting to make sure that the fabric does not burn.

Fabric Care for Nylon Chiffon

A chiffon fabric is a transparent and lightweight fabric originally made with silk now also made with man-made fabrics such as nylon and rayon. Nylon chiffon is a strong fabric, crease resistant, washable and is resistant to mildew and moths. This fabric is susceptible to degradation by weak acids and sunlight.

Nylon Chiffon Fabric Care

• Use a cool iron on chiffon to get rid of wrinkles.
• Nylon chiffon is more durable, but should be washed under the same conditions as silk.
• When washing nylon chiffon, use mild detergent.

Washing Nylon Chiffon

1. Wash with cool water. Using a washing machine, the recommended temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit. As much as possible, do not add other clothes to the wash.
2. Use the gentlest cycle when using a washing machine. The longer the fabric stays in water, the more possibility for it to fade.
3. Dry the chiffon in the dryer on a short, cool cycle.

How to handle nylon chiffon

Chiffon fabric is one of the hardest fabrics to handle. Not only because it is slippery like silk but because of its fragility and thinness.  If you already have some experience with chiffon, then you understand but if it is your first time, you may be a little frustrated if you try to achieve perfection. One of the best things that you can do is to starch the fabric. However, this trick is limited to nylon chiffon garments that can be washed when the garment is completed.  

Fabric Care: Handling nylon chiffon fabric

1. Lay the fabric on a straight table and straighten the fabric. Press the iron down then lift it, repeating this process. DO NOT drag the iron over the fabric.

 2. Starch the chiffon. This will make the fabric easier to work with.

Nylon chiffon is one of the best fabric you can try if you want delicate fabrics that sway in elegance. However, this fabric is one of the hardest to maintain as it is easy to fray. Yet, if this fabric is properly maintained, it can be one of the most durable fabrics you can have.

How to edge nylon chiffon fabric

The first thing you should think of when using a chiffon fabric is how to deal with its delicateness. Regardless of its fragility, it absorbs dyes and holds the color well.

1. Measure the hemline. A standard hemline is 1/2 inch, but this can vary depending on the pattern and your planned use for the fabric. Fold over the chiffon and mark with the crayon, placing one of the pins at the corner edge to hold the fabric. Be sure to use dressmaker pins; regular pins will rip chiffon. Line up the hem, pinning about 1 foot of fabric at a time, using the the crayon line as your guide.
2. Check that your chiffon can handle the heat of the iron by test-ironing a scrap on the lowest temperature setting.
3. Iron the fold using the lowest setting on the iron. This will help hold the hemline in place. Do not iron over the pins.
4. Examine the chiffon to determine whether it is holding the fold. Begin edging with careful, delicate stitches, only working a small piece of the fabric at a time. A good rule of thumb is 8 stitches per inch. Be sure to use a thread color that matches your chiffon.

Chiffon used to be made of silk but because silk is expensive, it evolved into other fibers such as polyester, cotton blends, rayon and nylon chiffon fabric. Since it is sheer and a tricot knit, it works best for draping, gathering, shirring and tucking.

Uses for nylon chiffon fabric

Scarf Since nylon chiffon is lightweight, it has an airy appearance and feel. Thus, it is perfect for decorative scarves. Most often it is used as accent for blouses and gowns like sashes and ties. It can also be used simply as pony tail accent. Occasion Dress Nylon chiffon fabric is used for bridal gowns and other types of formal wear. It is often used on top of another fabric. It can be draped or gathered to create a more solid appearance. Layering When it comes to skirts, nylon chiffon fabric is the preferred material for layering. It is used for adding volume or can also be used for lining. Additionally, this fabric can be used as a backing for appliques, beading and embroidery. Nightgowns Chiffon fabric is considered feminine. It is used for lingerie or nightgowns.

Determing yards for nylon chiffon pettiskirt

Determining how many yards of Nylon Chiffon to purchase for Pettiskirt

It is important that you know how to determine the number of yards you need when buying nylon chiffon fabric, this way, you save an extra penny. To compute, add the number of inches of LENGTH  to the total number of strips and divide it by 36 (the number of inches in a yard). For example, the length is 8 inches x 26 strips equals 208. Divide this number by 36 and you will get 5.78 yards. But you have to add at least 1/2 yard as allowance since there will be times that the edges don't line up well or some fabric problems.

Nylon chiffon Ruffle fluff

For nylon chiffon small skirts like for infants, you can use ruffle fluff with size  of 2.5 inches by the width of your fabric (either 54" or 108"). If ordering rolls, go with the 2 inch roll. The chiffon rolls come in lengths of 30, 60 and 90 yards. It is recommended to buy 90 for ruffle fluff. Sum up, order a 60-yard roll for the  main body of the pettiskirt and use 90 yard roll of either 2 or 3 inch wide chiffon for the fluff.  

How to make nylon chiffon petticoat

Make nylon chiffon petticoat

A petticoat is an undergarment used under a skirt. It gives the dress or skirt a full-bodied look.

What do you need for nylon chiffon petticoat

• Five yards nylon chiffon
• Elastic
• Ribbon

Directions to create nylon chiffon petticoat

1. Using 5 yards of nylon chiffon and sew a basting stitch (a long, running stitch) along the top of the material.
2. Add 2 inches to the measured waist of the person.
3. Draw up the basting stitch until the material measures three times the person's waist measurement.
4. Fold the nylon chiffon in thirds width-wise.
5. Stitch the seam where the nylon meets on the length side of the material to within 5 inches of the waist.
6. Cut the elastic to the person's waist measurement including the two inches you added in step 2.
7. Cut the ribbon to the person's waist measurement in step 2 adding ten inches.
8. Sew the ribbon to the waist of the nylon chiffon leaving five inches on each end of the waist.
9. Fold the ribbon over and sew it to the waist of the nylon chiffon creating a pocket to insert the elastic.
10. Insert the elastic into the ribbon and sew the ends together.
11. Place petticoat on the person and tie the ends of the ribbon together when wearing.

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