sewing chiffon

[Echidna]

I have several veils I'd like to transform into flowy, translucent fins, but I have made terrible experiences with cutting and sewing chiffon (I think it is chiffon, at least...).

I had a chiffony scarf which totally disintegrated when I cut it in shape.
Sewing it was also impossible, no matter where you put the needle, the fabric just fell apart thread by thread! :O

As the veils in question look very similar, I'm not sure what to do.
The fabric looks like this:
36930 (just an example, not the actual veil)

around the edges, you can see threads already becoming unattached from the hem.
I'm afraid that if I start pulling a needle through, it will come apart as a whole.

Any tips, tricks, ideas?
I considered using glue, but that wouldn't be waterproof.

[WaterDragon]

do you have access to something like Fray Check? its a waterproof fabric sealant.

[Echidna]

I could always buy some from amazon.
Good tip, thanks!

[Mermaid Aria]

You can also burn the edges a bit over a candle to stop them from fraying. Stella the Siren has a youtube tutorial where she does this to a bunch a fins she is sewing along the sides of her gold tail.

[Saelyyia]

I second the fire-edging. I do alot of sewing with chiffon and If i am not rolling the edge (which is a huge pain) I fire edge it all the way around each pattern piece so that it will not fray. Fray check can leave an undesirable effect on certain types of fabric so you have to decide if you wanna fight with it or not. However, on that note, you can also use a clear nail polish.

[Echidna]

well, I have to put several pieces together, so I'm not sure how fire-edging will help.
I'll have to either sew them or glue them.

I like the idea of nail polish, but that doesn't work as a glue, does it?

[Mermaid Alea]

I sealed some thread on a project recently with clear nail polish - does the nail polish wash off with water though? I was wondering if it wouldn't be good for any fabric being used in the water.

I second the mentioning of Stella the Siren's video on sewing on chiffon fins. She gives pretty good instructions for burning the fabric's edges. Here is the video and she starts burning the edges of the fabric at 19:20 in the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3symYydz2w&list=FLKa9zfBLU8Jz8YN5F8Q6Yfw&index=9

[Echidna]

cool tutorial, thanks for the link.

What stitch do you people use when sewing chiffon together?
Straight, overlock?

Edit:
and if someone could post a link or explain how to do a double overlock stitch manually, I'd be eternally grateful :D

pic of that stitch:
36949

[WaterDragon]

well, I have to put several pieces together, so I'm not sure how fire-edging will help.
I'll have to either sew them or glue them.

I like the idea of nail polish, but that doesn't work as a glue, does it?

it seems i may have miss understood your question :$ Fray check will "glue" the ends of a piece of fabric but it wont hold two pieces of fabric together. I can try to find a appropriate fabric glue if you would like?

[Echidna]

I'm not sure at this point.
There are plenty fabric glues for sale everywhere, but seamstresses and tailors usually say glue is not good for fine, translucent fabrics.
So I might have to sew after all :biting nails:

[aureliamermaid]

I'm not sure at this point.
There are plenty fabric glues for sale everywhere, but seamstresses and tailors usually say glue is not good for fine, translucent fabrics.
So I might have to sew after all :biting nails:

Just make sure to use the smallest needle you can for your machine. You can try basting the pieces together with a loose stitch, then burn the edges as others have suggested. If your Chiffon is synthetic, the edges of the pieces should melt together well. I would suggest doing a small test square, just in case.


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[Echidna]

Thanks, I've already sewn it all, and it went well!

Learned quite a few useful new stitches, too :D

[aureliamermaid]

Thanks, I've already sewn it all, and it went good!

Learned quite a few useful new stitches as well :D

Awesome!


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[LouLouBelle]

I was going to suggest maybe trying silicone, but I see you've solved it! Well done!

Silicone does add extra weight to the fins and can make them look less flowy, depending on where and how it's used, but it can be used to seal edges and stick pieces together. You can colour it to match the fabric too. (Just in case anyone finds this useful in the future!)


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[Mermaid Lucy]

When i sew with chiffon or organza I use 2 methods.
Method 1: I use rolled edge seams. I have special presser foots for that.
Method 2: I use a lighter or a candle to melt the edges of the fabric a bit. This keeps the edges from fringing.

[Saelyyia]

That is the same method I use. Works like a charm.

[Mermaid Lucy]

I love this method. I used it for my fabric tail.

[Sapphire Mermaid]

Chiffon (and Organza for that matter) are ridiculously hard to get to work for edging. One trick I was taught at school is to fold your edge like the hem, and then fold it over again so you aren't actually sewing the edge, you're sewing the first fold. This way the edge is folded into the centre and it won't fray.

[PrincessNymphiaoftheSea]

When using chiffon I always finish the edges with a really small zig zag stitch and then just away some of the frayed edges that stick out. I don't trust myself with lighters after I almost burned my Ariel costume with them the last time xD


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[Acqua Luna]

Try using incenses, the trick is you don't hold it on the fabric but just a hair away. That's how I make my fairy wings.


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