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Georgette & Chiffon Fabric

Georgette & Chiffon Fabric

Chiffon and georgette are the lightweight, fluid fabrics behind floaty blouses, occasion dresses and sheer overlays. Chiffon is the sheerer, glossier of the two, with a delicate, airy drape; georgette has a crêped texture with a little more body and a matte finish. This collection covers both, in plains and prints, mostly polyester with a few premium silks. Order a sample first to check the drape and shade before you cut.

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Few fabrics move like chiffon and georgette. Both are lightweight and fluid, made for clothes that float and drape, which is why they turn up on everything from summer blouses to red-carpet gowns. They look similar at a glance, but they behave differently once you're sewing and wearing them, and knowing which is which makes choosing much easier.

What's the difference between chiffon and georgette?

It comes down to the weave and the yarn. Chiffon is a plain-weave sheer with a smooth, slightly glossy surface and a very light, airy drape. It's the more transparent of the two, so it's usually lined or layered, and it's ideal for overlays, sheer sleeves and floaty, romantic styles. Georgette is woven from tightly twisted yarns, which give it a fine crêped texture, a matte finish and a little more body. It's slightly heavier, more opaque and more hardwearing than chiffon, and it drapes with more weight, which suits flowing dresses, skirts and statement sleeves.

What to make

Chiffon is made for blouses, occasion and eveningwear, sheer overlays on prom and bridal dresses, layered skirts, scarves and ruffles. Georgette suits flowing maxi dresses, skirts, tunics, kimonos, statement sleeves and everyday blouses with a bit of movement. Because both are sheer to some degree, it's worth planning a lining or underlayer for anything you don't want see-through.

Sewing sheer fabric

Chiffon and georgette are slippery and fray, but a few tricks tame them. Use a fine, sharp needle (a Microtex) and a fine thread, and cut a single layer with pattern weights rather than pins so the fabric doesn't shift. Laying tissue paper underneath as you sew stops it sliding into the feed dogs. French seams enclose the raw edges neatly, and a narrow rolled hem gives the lightest finish. Press on a low heat. Follow the care guidance on the product page, as silk and polyester differ.

What's the difference between chiffon and georgette?

Chiffon is a plain-weave sheer that's smooth, slightly glossy and very light, and it's the more transparent of the two. Georgette is woven from tightly twisted yarns, which give it a fine crêped texture, a matte finish, a little more body and more opacity. Chiffon floats; georgette drapes with a bit more weight.

Is chiffon see-through?

Yes, chiffon is sheer, so it's usually lined or layered for anything you don't want transparent, which is why it works so well as an overlay. Georgette is more opaque but still light, so a lining is worth considering for closer-fitting pieces.

Are these fabrics silk?

Mostly they're polyester, which gives a similar sheer drape at a much lower price, with a few premium silk pieces in the range too. Check the individual product page for the exact composition, especially if you specifically want silk.

How do I sew and hem chiffon and georgette?

Use a fine Microtex needle and a fine thread, and cut a single layer with pattern weights so the fabric doesn't shift. Tissue paper underneath stops it sliding as you sew. French seams enclose the fraying edges neatly, and a narrow rolled hem gives the lightest, tidiest finish.

Can I order a sample before buying?

Yes. Most fabrics are available as a sample so you can check the drape, sheerness and shade before committing to a full cut. Use the Order Sample option on the product page.

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