If you've been around for a while you know I love kimonos. I've made a couple before (1, 2) but this one is hands down the easiest version to date. Took me about 45 minutes to make!
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TOOLS:
Chiffon or other lightweight fabric (for a full-length kimono, about 3 m | Scissors | Thread & Sewing machine (I also used my serger for finishing)
I. My fabric was 150 cm wide, which was the perfect length for me to achieve a floor-length kimono (I'm just under 175cm tall). So I strategized to minimize hemming on the finished kimono: I wanted to use the already machine-finished, non-fray edge for the hem. I had 2.4 m of fabric, so I just cut it in half, ending up with two pieces, 1.5 m x 1.2 m each. I placed them right sides facing, and sewed the top 1.2-meter edges together (the one opposite the hem, or to-be shoulder line of the kimono). So I had the below.
I also marked the middle point of the 120cm top edge with a pin, and placed pins 10cm in both directions from there to mark the spot where the opening or my head would eventually go.
II. Then I proceeded to cutting the kimono shape out. Chiffon is a devil to try to mark, so I usually use pins to indicate where I need to cut. Here are the measurements I used. The key is to cut the two layers together, and not to move the chiffon after cutting. Just pin the sides and the underarms directly on the table, so you don't need to deal with the fabric slithering away.
III. After sewing & finishing the sides and underarms with my serger, I cut the center open as the line shows below..
.. And finished it with a serger and a single fold, and finally the sleeves which I hemmed with a double fold.
So simple. So flowy. So perfect for +45°C.
xo,
Julia
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