How to Make a Silk Kimono

You often see beautiful Asian women wearing long silk kimonos, but rarely see them in stores. Finding out where to purchase a kimono can be complicated, depending on what part of the country you live in. Even if you do find a place to purchase them, you might find that they are expensive. If you have a sewing machine, you could probably make one on your own, using a few instructions.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Scissors Silk cloth Sewing machine Needle and thread Measuring tape Straight pins Hemming tape (optional) Hook and eye closure

1. Measure the thickest part of your torso around. Add 10 inches to the number. Divide this number in two and you have the width of your center panels. For instance, if your measurement is 36 inches, add 10 inches to get 46 inches total. Divide by 2 and you have 23 inches for the torso panel width. Measure from the top of your shoulders to the top of your ankles to get the length.

2. Stretch your arm out straight and measure from the tip of your shoulder out to the edge of your knuckles. This is the width of your sleeve panels. To find the length, double that number. So if your sleeve width is 16 inches, your length would be 32 inches. You will need two of these panels, preferably connected by a fold at the top.

3. Lay out your silk cloth so that it is folded in half lengthwise. Mark out one of the sleeves by measuring the width along the fold and then straight down the length you measured. Pin the two sides of material together and then cut out. Do the same for the second sleeve.

4. Cut out your torso panels by again folding the material so that it is folded in half lengthwise. Measure the width of the torso panel along the top of the fold. Mark it with pins, going through both sides of the material. Mark the length of your torso panel from Step 1and pin it together. Place a pin every 6 inches so the material does not slide. Cut the panel out.

5. Pin the sleeve panels to the torso panel, aligning the fold on each, and keeping the right sides together. Sew them together in one long seam of about 1/2 inch width on each side.

6. Hem the bottom of both sleeves. Fold the kimono in half lengthwise with the right sides together, and sew up the seams from the bottom up, leaving a 10-inch opening at the top for the sleeve hole. Do the same thing for the other side.

7. Cut a T-shaped opening at the top center of the kimono front. It should be 12 inches wide and the front slit about 6 inches. Finish the edge with a slip stitch or hemming tape on the inside. Hem the bottom of the kimono in the same manner. A hook and eye can be sewn on at the nape of the throat, if desired, for a neat closure.