Kimono Express

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Instructions

I used a Brother cording foot to apply the cording on the sleeves and other places. I also applied Swarovski crystals to the flowers.

You must know how to design a pattern and be familiar with working with various types of fabric.

I also painted a design on the front of this Kimono. It is now traveling in a Trunk Show all over the U.S & Canada for a year. I used a Brother cording foot to apply the cording on the sleeves and other places. I also applied Swarovski crystals to the flowers.

You must know how to design a pattern and be familiar with working with various types of fabric.

I also painted a design on the front of this Kimono. It is now traveling in a Trunk Show all over the U.S & Canada for a year.

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Difficulty:

Category: Sewing

Type of item: Clothing

For: Other

Style: Classic

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Materials

This Kimono was made out of the Hoffman Challenge fabric for 2011. It also had some polyester fabric and metalic lame. It took about 50 hrs. to make

What was your inspiration?

I was hoping to win the 2011 Hoffman Challenge Contest. I didn't win but my Kimono Express will be touring the U.S. and Canada for a year in their Trunk Show.
I love making Asian inspired garments.

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of winning the 2008 Simplicity Creative Sewing Contest. The Grand Prize was a trip for two to Paris, France. My friend and I went to Paris in April....April in Paris is great.

I wore a jacket I had made several years ago that had hand Sashiko stitching all over it. It served as a jacket, pillow and blanket throughout the trip. While I was in the London airport a Japanese woman saw my jacket and she excitedly pointed to it saying, "Sashiko, Sashiko!" I smiled and nodded. It's nice to have your work recognized by someone who knows the work you put into a garment.

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

Go on line to see how to design a kimono using your own measurements. Then draw a design on paper, coloring in varies areas until you are happy with the design. Then gather your fabrics and begin to sew it together.

Do NOT be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes are who we learn and advance in life. Be proud of your work and never point out the tiny errors that only YOU will know about. Keep sewing and keep learning.