DIY How to Hem Silk Chiffon

Elegant and graceful, silk chiffon is perfect for formal wear.

Silk chiffon is an elegant fabric that flows like water, moving gracefully with the wearer. This effect makes it popular for formal wear, such as wedding gowns and prom dresses, but it can be difficult to work with because of its delicate quality. Knowing how to handle silk chiffon, specifically how to finish an edge with a hem, before starting a project like making a dress will allow you to work through the pattern faster and cut down significantly on mistakes and frustration.

Things You'll Need

• Sewing machine
• Straight pins
• Needle
• Thread, colored to match your chiffon
• Scissors
• Iron
• Ironing board

Instructions

1. Pre-heat the iron on a low setting, one that is appropriate for lightweight material.

2. Set the sewing machine to the proper stitch for lightweight material.

3. Sew a basting line into the chiffon with the sewing machine. Do this along the fold line for your hem.

4. Fold the chiffon along your basting line, folding the raw edge into the “wrong” side of the fabric, securing it into place with the straight pins.

5. Place the material onto the ironing board and iron the folded edge with the warm iron.

6. Fold the hem in half, tucking the raw edge of the material inside to meet the basting line. Remove the straight pins as you go, then reinsert them to secure this final hem.

7. Place the material onto the ironing board and iron the hem once more with the warm iron.

8. Sew the hem into place by hand using the needle and thread and performing a whip stitch. Make the stitches fairly close together, about one-half inch apart. Take care not to pull the thread too tightly.

9. Pull the basting line out of the material by gently tugging at the loose end of the thread to withdraw it from the chiffon.

10. Clip any loose threads with the scissors.

Tips & Warnings

• If you haven’t used your iron to work with silk chiffon before, it is a good idea to test your warmed iron on a piece of scrap material before using it on the garment you will be working with. This will eliminate the chance of ruining your project.

• The basting line can be hand sewn if you don’t have a sewing machine or if you prefer hand sewing.

References

• Sheryl Sluder, seamstress; Pocatello, Idaho
• Cyber Seams; Hem Chiffon or Other Delicate Fabrics; Janet Ballweber

Resources

• "Claire Schaeffer's Fabric Sewing Guide"; Claire Schaeffer; December 2008