Chiffon Fabric is one of my favourite fabrics and here at Calico Laine we have a fabulous selection. Many people are deterred from using this fabric because of its floaty and slippery nature. Today we’re going to look at some of the uses for Chiffon Fabric as well as examining a few methods for making this particular fabric a little easier to work with. Here at Calico Laine we have 3 main Chiffon Fabric ranges. Firstly is the cationic chiffon, this is a very light weight fabric with a wonderful colour range which includes solid colours as well as some stunning unusual two tone shades. Secondly is the extra wide chiffon which is more of a medium weight. This range is very popular because of its modern fashionable colours as well as its wider width. Many patterns for long dresses for garments cut on the cross require a fabric which is 150cm (60”) wide to prevent having a visible seam. Finally there is the crepe chiffon, this is my personal favourite. This range is the heaviest chiffon we stock whilst still remaining a relatively lightweight fabric. The crepe has a beautiful feel to it and has a wonderful drape. The extra weight also makes it a little easier to work with. Chiffon Fabric is a very popular fabric because is it so diverse, we sell it for a vast range of projects including bridesmaid dresses, blouses, window dressing and venue dressing to name a few. Chiffon is ideal when you want a full effect without the bulk. So why are so many people deterred from using this wonderful fabric? There’s no denying it can be tricky and very slippery to use especially for an inexperienced sewer. There are however a few handy tricks to make the job easier. My first trick is simple; double the amount of pins you’d usually expect to use. Chiffon Fabric is loosely woven so will spring back into shape; the additional pins will not mark or damage your material. Another trick used by many dressmakers is to sandwich tissue paper between your layers of chiffon. This extra heavier layer acts as a stabiliser and can be gently pulled away once the seam is complete. Working with chiffon can be time consuming and it requires a slow and steady hand but in my opinion it’s definitely worthwhile. Chiffon is beautiful and so versatile so I hope my tips will encourage some readers to have a go. Good luck and happy sewing!