How to Line a Kimono

You line a kimono by making a second kimono.

When you make a kimono, you are making an elegant piece of clothing. Most kimonos are made of silk. In order to protect the silk, you can add a lining. Because of the simplicity of the kimono design, you can add a lining with just a few stitches. Choose a fabric that is light yet durable for your lining material and attach it after you have finished your kimono’s outside shell. Use your kimono pattern to make the lining.

Things You'll Need

• Kimono pattern
• Lining material

Instructions

1. Sew the body of the lining. Place the back and front panels together. Sew them at the shoulders. Sew down the sides except where the arms will insert. Stop approximately 12 inches short of the bottom so that the lining will not constrict the bottom of the garment. Use a 1/2-inch seam. Do not sew where the collar will be attached.

2. Sew the sleeves of the lining. Match up the front and back panels. Sew them on three sides: the top, the bottom and the edge where the hands will emerge. Attach the sleeves to the body where you left an opening. You will have to hand-sew here because you must attach the front of each sleeve separately from the back in order to leave arm holes.

3. Turn your lining shell inside out. Turn your kimono outer shell inside out. Place the outer shell inside the lining shell. Work the fabric until all edges line up. Sew the lining to the outer shell at the shoulders and all edges except the hem line and the bottom edges of the sleeves. Do not sew the lining to the kimono at the collar.

4. Turn the entire garment, with lining, inside out. You have attached the lining to the kimono. You may now attach the collar. Attach the collar by folding both the lining and kimono fabric down at the collar opening. Fold back a 1/2-inch section of the collar material and pin it to the folded-down lining and kimono fabrics. Sew along this seam. Turn the collar down. It will now be attached to the inside of the kimono and will secure both the kimono fabric and the lining. Iron the collar to make it lie flat.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not put the collar on the kimono before adding the lining because it should attach to the lining and the outer shell at the same time.

References

• The Barony of Bryn Gwlad: How to Make a Kimono
• TwilightBridge.com: How to Make a Kimono

Resources

• Immortal Geisha: What Do I Line a Wool Kimono With?