Learn to make a kimono from scratch with this easy-to-follow tutorial by @charlene_hands

08/30/2022

Japan has a rich history of expression through clothing and dress, and the kimono is one of the most well-known garments from the country. The term kimono, first adopted in the 19th century, means ‘the thing to wear’, and we want to show you how to make your very own thing to wear, using any Katia Fabrics of your choice. 

Follow this step-by-step guide with photos so you can create this beautiful robe. Charlene @charlene_hands teaches you how to make a Mimosa Kimono with a traditional T-shaped design featuring square sleeves and rectangular body, but with a twist… This tutorial includes French-style ruffled sleeves and bottom!

The materials you will need to complete this project are:

• 2.5 m of fabric
• An erasable pen
• A ruler
• Needle, thread, and thimble
• Thread (choose the color based on the color of your fabric)
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine and overlock

Recommendations and useful information for your kimono sewing project:

• We suggest using a Pilot Frixion (erasable) pen
• You can select any fabric but we think muslin works especially well
• Use an overlock seam for the hems. If you can’t do this we suggest you zigzag all seam edges to prevent the fabric from fraying
• A kimono should be worn left side over the right side according to Japanese custom

We hope that you enjoy making and wearing this beautiful and easy-to-sew piece with our tutorial!

How to make your kimono

1.  Cut out each piece:

• 1x Back: 1 m x 50 cm
• 2x Front: 1 m x 25 cm
• 2x Collar: 120 cm x 10 cm
• 2x Belt: 120 cm x 10 cm
• 2x Sleeve: 45 cm x 45 cm
• 2x Sleeve ruffles: 70 cm x 10 cm
• 2x Ruffles for the bottom: 90 cm x 20 cm
• 2x Belt loops: 10 cm x 3 cm

2. Make the front neckline

• Lay the two front pieces on top of each other with the same side facing each other (for example, pattern to pattern or plain to plain) 
• Make two marks: 

• • The first 10 cm (approx.) horizontally from the left corner across the top edge
  • The second 25 cm (approx.) vertically from the top left corner

• Draw a straight line connecting these two marks and cut along this line

3. Make the shoulders

• Pin your front neckline pieces to the back piece (remember you will turn this inside out after you’ve sewn it)
• Sew a 1 cm hem across the top

4. Make the collar

• Pin the collar pieces together along the short sides 
• Sew these pieces together 1 cm from the edge
• Fold this collar lengthways (with the outside of the fabric facing outward) and pin it all the way around the neckline and and center edges down the front
• Sew a 1 cm hem and iron the seam to the inside of the kimono

5. Make the sleeves

• Find the center line of the sleeve and line it up with the shoulder seam of the kimono
• Pin the edges of the sleeve and shoulder together
• Pin the underside edge of the sleeve 
• Sew 1 cm from the edge and hem
• Repeat this for the other sleeve

6. Make the belt loops

• Pin your loop pieces together (the outside of the fabric should be facing inward as you will be turning them inside out)
• Sew the lengths 5 mm from the edge
• Turn inside out and iron
• Place the sleeve perpendicular to the side piece and pin one end of the belt loop 10 cm from the bottom of the sleeve
• Pin the other end 9 cm lower (allowing space for the belt to go through)

7. Make the sides

• Align and lay the two sleeve and two side pieces on top of each other (the outside of the fabric should be facing inward) with the belt loop still pinned in place
• Pin along all edges
• Sew a backstitch 1 cm from the edge for the hem

8. Make the belt

• Place the two belt pieces together, aligning them at the shorter sides and sew these shorter sides together
• Fold the belt in half lengthways (the outside of the fabric should be facing inward)
• Sew a backstitch 1 cm from the edge for the hem on the shorter sides
• Sew a backstitch 1 cm from the edge for the hem on the longer sides but leave an opening of 8 cm (approx.) so you can turn the belt inside out
• Trim the seams and turn the belt inside out
• Hand sew the opening in the belt with a few stitches

9. Make the ruffled sleeves

• Align the shorter sides of the sleeve pieces 
• Sew the two pieces together so that they form a cylinder shape (the outside of the fabric should be facing inward)
• Create a rolled hem along one edge
• Sew two lanes of loose thread so that they gather on the other side of the ruffled sleeve
• Align this ruffle with the bottom of the kimono sleeve (the outside of the fabric of both the sleeve and the ruffle should face each other) and pin
• Pull on the loose threads so that the fabric gathers and creates a ruffle. Make sure the width of the sleeve and the ruffle are the same
• Spread the gathered fabric evenly
• Backstitch 1 cm from the edge and hem

10. Make the ruffled bottom

• Align the shorter sides of the bottom pieces and sew 1 cm from the edge
• As you did with the ruffled sleeve; create loose threads at the top edge of the ruffle
• Sew a rolled hem along the bottom edge
• Make a 1 cm double hem along each of the smaller sides
• Align the top edge of the ruffle with the bottom edge of your kimono and pull on the loose threads so that it’s the same length as the bottom
• Spread the gathered fabric evenly
• Backstitch 1 cm from the edge, hem, and iron the seam

Now it’s time to adorn your gorgeous new kimono! Or perhaps even make one as a wonderfully bespoke gift for someone special.

Explore our range of Katia Fabrics and get inspired with different patterns and colors!