Floaty, feminine chiffon fabric, found in dresses, scarves, lingerie and blouses, can see a great deal of wear in a woman's wardrobe. Twisted crepe yarn, woven into a plain balanced weave, creates chiffon's beautiful but delicate texture whether silk, cotton or polyester. Basic care for this sheer, lightweight material involves keeping it wrinkle-free, but most basic ironing techniques often cause irreversible damage. Regardless of fiber content, this easily crushed fabric cannot take direct high heat or direct steam.
Step 1
Set the iron to a warm, not hot, setting with no steam.
Step 2
Spread the chiffon dress over the ironing board in a single layer. Move any lining fabric out of the way.
Step 3
Cover the chiffon with a clean white towel or white cloth.
Step 4
Iron over the towel for no more than 30 seconds. Remove the iron quickly and check the fabric. Repeat as necessary.
Step 5
Turn the shower to a hot setting and close the bathroom door to create a steam room for stubborn wrinkles. Once steam fills the room, turn off the water and hang the dress in the bathroom until the steam dissipates.
Step 6
Cover large stubborn creases with a clean white towel. Fill the water tank of a garment steamer and set it on low. Hold the nozzle several inches from the dress and steam the covered area for several minutes.
Step 7
Smooth out the creases by hand and steam them again. Let the dress air dry before wearing or storing.
- Sewing Smart with Fabric; Jeanne Stauffer
- Sew Any Fabric: A Quick Reference to Fabrics from A to Z; Claire Shaeffer
- Your Day, Your Way: The Essential Handbook for the 21st-Century Bride; Sharon Naylor, Michelle Roth and Henry Roth
- eBay Timesaving Techniques for Dummies; Marsha Collier
- Never let water touch the dress as droplets can create permanent spots in chiffon.
- Do not stretch the fabric while ironing because the fibers will hold the stretch.
- Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images