Strong, durable, well-insulated… There’s a reason why woven fabric is a wardrobe must-have item. And while there are many woven fabric types we could rave about, we’re going to dive into two of the most common: crepe and chiffon.
While both types of woven material are equally as amazing, they do differ in manufacturing and appearance. In this article, we’re going to talk about what crepe and chiffon actually are, the different types of chiffon and crepe fabric, and how to care for them. Let’s take a look!
Different types of chiffon fabric
Originally made in France, chiffon has made its way around the world into countless wardrobes. Chiffon is most commonly woven from silk, cotton, viscose, rayon, or polyester, and is made of hard twisted yarns. It’s quite common to find this luxurious textile in different types of chiffon dresses, evening wear items, hijabs, and sarees. [1]
Here are the different types of chiffon fabric that we just can’t get enough of: [2]
Silk crepe chiffon
Jacquard chiffon
Double faced chiffon
Silk satin chiffon
Chameleon chiffon
Chiffon with coating
Pearl chiffon
Chiffon with lurex
Whether it be dresses, scarves, blouses, or a decorative finishing, chiffon’s sheer, airy, lightweight properties make it a crowd favourite among luxury textiles. Chiffon is a term that is used to refer to a wide variety of different types of fabrics that all share similar qualities. Typical characteristics of chiffon fabric include:
Sheer: Chiffon fabric has a sheer, transparent appearance, and when held under a magnifying glass, it looks like a fine net or mesh.
Rough feel: There are slight puckers in chiffon due to the alternating s-twist and z-twist yarns.
Stretch: Chiffon has a slight spandex-like feel as a result of being woven in different directions. Silk chiffon has slightly more stretch than polyester chiffon, as silk is naturally more pliable.
Strong: Chiffon fabric, both silk and synthetic, is extremely strong as a result of the twists of the yarns and the tight weave of the fabric.
Shimmery: Chiffon has a shimmery surface. Silk chiffon has the most shimmer, while cotton chiffon is more matte.
Different types of crepe fabric
Crepe is another super popular woven fabric that boasts a unique three-dimensional texture. It’s made from either natural or synthetic fibres through hard twisting and alternating spinning techniques to create its iconic crinkled look.
While there are many different types of crepe fabric, the most common crepe fabric properties often include a crimpled appearance, twisted fibres, lightweight, and soft.
Check out some of the different types of crepe fabric here: [3]
Crepe de Chine
Crepe Jersey
Scuba Crepe
Crepe Chiffon
French Crepe
Crepe Georgette
Viscose crepe fabric is also another wonderful kind of textile, with loads of weight to it. It’s commonly used for trousers, blouses, or dresses, and is made to last. [4]
How to care for different types of woven material
You now know the different types of chiffon fabric and types of crepe fabric. Now it’s time to go over how to care for these woven fabric types. There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to washing different types of chiffon and crepe. Textiles such as polyester and nylon can be known for static cling, while silk can be hit by wrinkles and fibre damage.
Here are some tips for washing different types of chiffon dresses and garments, and how to care for them afterwards: [5]
Always check the care label to see if can be handwashed, machine washed, or professionally cleaned. We recommend dry cleaning chiffon made from silk.
Hand wash or set the machine on gentle for polyester and nylon chiffon.
Use a gentle detergent, such as Persil Silk and Wool, and cold water.
Allow the garment to soak for 30 minutes.
Lay the item down flat and out of direct sunlight and allow it to dry.
As silk chiffon is actually quite delicate, be careful when hanging-up items such as skirts or dresses, to avoid marking the fabric!
Store your garments clean and in breathable laundry bags to help further protect them.
Avoid storing in plastic, which creates a moist atmosphere ideal for bugs.
And here’s how to wash crepe so that you can better preserve the crepe fabric properties: [6]
Fill a bucket with warm water and gentle detergent.
Put the crepe garment into the water and gently rub.
Remove the fabric, wring out the extra water, and allow it to air dry.
You can also add in a conditioner liquid like Comfort Intense Fuchsia Passion to give your clothes intense freshness without damaging the shape, texture, or colour of the fabric. Try airing your garment in a clean and dry place in between wears, to hit refresh and give them a new lease of life!
Take comfort in your woven fabric types!
We’ve covered all the basics on different types of chiffon fabric and crepe fabric, as well as how to care for these wonderful textiles. Whether it be a viscose crepe fabric scarf or a stunning chiffon gown, take pride in the uniqueness and beauty that this woven fabric boasts.
Sources:
[1] https://sewport.com/fabrics-directory/chiffon-fabric
[2] https://tissura.com/articles/chiffon-fabrics
[3] https://www.contrado.com/crepe-material
[6] https://www.hunker.com/13421028/how-to-care-for-crepe-fabric