How to Make a Cosplay Kimono
In cosplay, participants dress as their favorite characters from books, television shows or movies. When putting together the outfits for cosplay events, choose clothing that is as similar as possible to that of the characters being portrayed. If you are dressing as a character who habitually wears a kimono, choose fabric that closely matches that of the character's kimono.
Instructions
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Construction
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1
Measure around the widest part of your body, divide this number by 4, and add 2 inches.
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2
Measure from your shoulder down to where you want the kimono to fall and add 1 inch.
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3
Cut four rectangles that match the measurements from Steps 1 and 2. These are your body panels.
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4
Sew two rectangles together along their length. This is the back of the kimono.
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5
Lay the back of the kimono on a flat working surface, pattern side up.
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6
Lay the other two rectangles on top of them, pattern side down, and lined up with the rectangles beneath.
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7
Pin the shoulder seams. They should stretch from the upper corners and in by at least 5 inches.
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8
Sew the shoulder seams in and remove the pins.
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9
Measure from the tip of your shoulder to your wrists.
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10
Cut two rectangles that are 28 inches wide and as long as the measurement that you found in Step 9. These are your sleeves.
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11
Spread the kimono body out flat with all four pieces showing, pattern-side down.
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12
Lay the arm pieces next to the body of the kimono, and position the arm pieces so that the center of the width lines up with the shoulder seams. Like the body, the arms should be pattern-side down.
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13
Pin the sleeves to the main body of the kimono.
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14
Sew the arms in and remove the pins.
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15
Fold the kimono along the shoulder seams, pattern-side in.
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16
Sew up the sides of the kimono.
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17
Hem the raw edges of the kimono by turning them down twice, creating a fold that is 1/4 inch deep both times and sewing the folds flat.
Collar
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18
Put on the kimono and measure the distance from the right side of the kimono at your navel, up over your neck and down to the left side of the kimono at your navel.
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19
Cut a strip of fabric that is 5 inches wide and as long as the measurement that you found in Step 2.
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20
Fold the short edges of the strip down once, creating a fold 1/4 inch deep, and iron it flat.
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21
Fold the long edges of the fabric once, creating a fold that is 1/4 inch deep, and iron it flat.
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22
Fold the strip in half along the length and iron it flat.
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23
Sew the strip closed along the loose edges, creating a solid strip.
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24
Center the middle of the strip to the center seam of the back of kimono, and pin it down along both sides.
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25
Sew the collar to the kimono. At this point, the kimono is ready to be worn.
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Tips & Warnings
Kimonos may be tied with any width of cord. Obis are the widest and most elegant datejimes are narrower and less formal. Choose the type of tie that best suits the character that you are cosplaying.
References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
