Kimono Express

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.

Difficulty:

Category: Sewing

Type of item: Clothing

For: Other

Style: Classic

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 first Prize in the Hoffman Challenge for 2011. I really enjoy making Asian inspired garments.
I've been sewing coats, jackets, vests and purses since around 1995 when I made a coat to wear to the White House. Hillary Clinton invited stitchers, cooking schools, architects and children's groups to make ornaments for the White House Christmas trees. I was invited to participate since I teach Food Styling, (I make food for professional photography).
I made the coat I wore to Washington, DC. Since then I got hooked on making coats and jackets etc. They are easier than suits and close fitting garments.

What are you most proud of?

I'm most proud of winning the Grand Prize to the Simplicity Creative Sewing Contest for 2008. The Grand Prize was a trip to Paris, France for two. My girlfriend and I went to Paris in 2009 for 5 days. The coat I made was out of upholstery fabric and stretch velvet. It had Swarovski crystals all over it.
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The jacket I wore to Paris was made several years ago and it had hand sewn Sashiko stitching all over it. It served as a jacket, pillow and blanket on the trip. A Japanese woman in the London airport recognized the stitching and called out "Sashiko, Sashiko", to me. It's nice to be acknowledged by people who know classic stitching.

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

If you wish to make a new and different Kimino you can go on line to see how to design your own kimino using your measurements. Then make a drawing of it on a piece of paper, decide where you wish to have your various pieces of fabric, color in the areas with colored pencils and get to work finding the necessary fabric.
Use Pellon EZ pattern stabilizer for your pattern. Add seam allowances and get busy sewing. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes lead to learning. They are an essential part of living. Be proud of your work and push yourself to do more and better work with each new project.