Whether you make your own clothes or want to be a shopping expert, it’s helpful to know about different fabrics and how they “work.” Aside from color and pattern, different types of fabric can have totally different looks because of the way they drape or hang on the body, especially in doll scale. This series will help you learn more about some fabrics that are often used for doll clothes, so you can know more about how to use them or what to look for when you are shopping!
Part 3: Chiffon
Chiffon is a lightweight sheer fabric that is often used for items such as blouses, dresses, skirts, and scarves. It is a woven fabric (as opposed to a knit fabric), woven loosely to allow for a small amount of space between threads, giving it its sheerness. Most chiffon is either silk, polyester, or nylon. It gathers nicely and drapes beautifully with a flowy, airy quality, but it can be difficult to work with because it is so delicate. Making sure you have a very sharp needle and the right tension is critical in creating smooth seams without getting pulls in the fabric. It also is notorious for fraying a lot, so care must be taken in handling the pieces once they are cut to ensure they don’t fray past the seam allowance (it is often helpful to leave a bit of extra length for a hem so if the fabric frays, you can trim off the “hairs” without loosing too much length. French seams are often used with chiffon, as they completely enclose the seams to prevent any fraying. With a little patience and a gentle hand, chiffon can be used to create beautiful garments and accessories!
“Clarisse Original” blouses made of chiffon:
