Hello people of the Internet. This is the part of your brain that likes to make garments from scratch.
What have you done for me lately?
What's up Thread-heads? You asked for it, so I'm giving it to you. There's been a ton of requests
for both a kimono tutorial and a death-level project. So I present to you the kimono of death.
If you are an experienced sewer, you may not consider this a death project,
but I've rated it as such for the amount of time it takes and the amount of steps involved
with completing the garment. You also may want to have a basic understanding of sewing
and pattern making, but don't fret if you don't. You should check out my custom skirt course
that I did over on Craftovision. There's a bunch of information about how to draft patterns
and transfer them onto fabric and also sewing them together. So I would definitely check that out first.
Now you may be saying to yourself, "This isn't a traditional kimono. This is a kimo-no, a kimo-not."
And you're right. If you want a traditional kimono, I suggest you either buy one
from a Japanese kimono maker or you study under a Japanese kimono maker
on how to make your own. This one that I'm going to show you how to make is more fashion inspired.
it really invokes the spirit of the 1920s but also can be super casual when paired with a pair of cutoff shorts
and a cut-up shirt. The possibilities are endless. All right, down to business.
The first thing you need to do is take some measurements and map out your pattern pieces.
We're going to start with the back pattern piece. First take your back length measurement
starting at the base of the neck extending to whatever length you want plus an inch for seam allowance.
On your map, this measurement will be points A to B, and this will be the center back line of your garment.
Now measure from the back base of the neck to the side of your neck. This will be point C.
Point C lies 2 inches above point A and out the amount you measured plus an inch for seam allowance.
This line should also be rounded slightly. Next measure from the side of the neck to the shoulder.
This will be point D. Point D lies about 2 inches down from point C and out the amount you measured
plus an inch for seam allowance. Now measure half of your arm hole. Line D to E is going to be your arm hole,
so you want to add 3 to 4 inches to your measurement for ease and seam allowance.
For that kimono style, you want the sleeves to be kind of wide. Lastly, point F extends about 3 inches beyond
the existing width of the garment. And that's going to be the bottom width of your garment.
When you connect all your lines, you should have something like this. We're going to use this graph
to also map out the front pattern. All you have to do is measure 1 inch in
from point B and make a mark, then measure down 2 inches from point A and in 1 inch and make a mark.
Then connect those two points. This new line is going to be the front opening of your garment.
Now connect these two points to create the front neckline, and this line should also be slightly rounded.
And voila, those are the only differences in the pattern. The rest will stay the same.
For the sleeve pattern, use the same measurement you used for points D and E on the previous pattern.
Then measure out the length of your arm from point D, make a mark, and connect these points.
Measure down about 12 inches from point F, make a mark, and connect point F to point G.
This will be the cuff of your garment. Now connect points G and E and you have your sleeve all mapped out.
Now you're going to use your guides to make three pattern pieces on paper,
the back pattern piece, the front pattern piece, and the sleeve pattern piece.
Starting with the back pattern piece, get out some fabric, fold the fabric in just enough to fit the pattern
making sure the fabric is right sides together. Then place the center back line of the pattern
onto the fold and pin the pattern to both layers of fabric. Now cut around your pattern
making sure not to cut the fold of the fabric. And you don't have to worry about seam allowance
because you already added it into the pattern. When you're done cutting, you should have a piece
that looks like this. Now you just do the same for the front pattern piece.
The only difference is that you cut along the center front line creating two front pieces.
For the sleeves, fold a piece of fabric right sides together, then place the top edge of the pattern
along the fold, pin, and cut it out. Repeat for a second sleeve. And now that you have all your pieces cut,
you're going to pin and sew them together at these points leaving a half inch seam allowance.
Once all those pieces are sewn, you're going to trim all the seams with pinking shears.
Next press each seam with your iron to make your new stitches happy in their new home.
Then press the seam open like so.
Now do a double turn quarter-inch hem for all the edges except the arm holes.
For the sleeves or any other rounded edges, it really helps to have a tailor's hand.
Have you seen these and wondered what they are? Well, they are an amazing tool and I suggest you get one.
Once all your seams are finished, it's time to add some fringe. You may recognize this fringe
from this video I did a while back. I have a ton left over, and you only need about a yard and a half
for this project. Starting with the sleeves, pin fringe to the inside of the hem like so,
then sew it on following the stitch line you created sewing your hem. You're also going to want to press
that stitch line as well. Next pin your sleeve to your arm hole right sides together
and sew together leaving a half inch seam allowance.
Repeat for the other sleeve, and make sure to finish and press that seam as well.
Now just add fringe down both sides of the front opening, and you are done.
You can style this Gatsby style with long necklaces and cloche hat
or gypsy junkie style with a cut tee, cutoff shorts, and my DIY personal pendant.
And here's a creepy shot to show the arms in action.
I am in love with this garment. I plan on making one in all black also because I'm kind of obsessed
with wearing black, in case you can't tell.
Yeah. I really hope you enjoyed this project. If you have any questions at all,
leave a comment below and I will do my best to answer them. Also, make sure to subscribe
because we have a whole ton of DIY goodness coming your way,
and you don't want to miss out. Till next time.