How to Make a Kimono & Japanese Clothes

A traditional kimono is a showpiece for luxurious fabrics.

The most ubiquitous piece of Japanese clothing, the kimono, is the embodiment of elegance in simplicity. The clean lines of the kimono allow beautiful fabrics to take center stage. Other Japanese garments show the same simplicity and form, and items like "hippari," or casual jackets, can be practical choices for dressing up an everyday wardrobe. These garments are not difficult to sew, and make a good choice for seamstresses who are new to garment sewing.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Sewing pattern
• Fabric
• Pins
• Scissors
• Marking pencil or tailor's chalk
• Thread
• Sewing Machine
• Seam binding

Instructions

1. Measure yourself to get your chest and waist measurements. You should wear only the undergarments you plan to wear under your new Japanese clothing. You may want to enlist the help of a friend with the measuring process.

2. Purchase a pattern for Japanese clothing, comparing your measurements to the measurements on the back of the pattern envelope. Purchase the required amount of fabric for your uniform. Japanese clothing, including kimono, are most frequently made of cotton or silk. Satin brocades are available in many Asian-inspired designs, but satin generally does not have the breathability of natural fabrics.

3. Cut out the pattern and fabric according to the pattern directions. Use the marking pencil or tailor's chalk to transfer the pattern markings to the fabric. These markings help you when matching the fabric pieces as you sew them together.

4. Fit the garment to you by pinning it together and carefully trying it on. Japanese clothing generally fits fairly loosely around the body. If your garment does not fit as desired, re-pin the seams until you are satisfied with the fit.

5. Sew the pieces together as directed in the pattern instructions. If the fabric you chose has a tendency to ravel on the raw edges, you may want to encase the seams with seam binding, or use a serger or overlock machine to finish the edges.

6. Hem the bottom of the kimono while wearing the shoes you plant to wear, so that the length is correct.

Tips & Warnings

• Rayon may be used for more casual kimono styles, as well as for pants such as "monpei" and jackets such as "hapi."

• Preshrink any cotton fabrics you use by washing and drying them before cutting out your fabric pieces.

• Be sure your needles and pins are sharp. Dull pins may have rough spots on them that can snag delicate, silky fabrics.

References

• SEW-lutions Guidelines: Understanding Pattern Markings I
• Folkwear: Asian Patterns

Resources

• Clothesline Journal: The Juni-hito of Heian Japan