DIY Lined Kimono

Spring is here and what better way to celebrate the colors and new growth with a new project. I loved the Quick & Easy DIY Kimono I sewed three years ago and I thought it was time for a new one with fabric from my Blooming & Becoming fabric pattern collection. This peony cross stitch fabric is called “Majestic Handiwork”. As I wanted a weightier kimono, I decided to line it. This way it is more structured, doesn’t cling to the body and is warmer. This DIY Lined Kimono is a no pattern sewing design of my own.

Supplies

fabric of your choosing (approximately 1.5 to 2 metres)
lining (cotton or polyester) using the same dimensions as the outer fabric
thread
pins
scissors
measuring tape
Sewing machine (mine is a Singer, here is a comparable one)* – and a serger (Mine is Juki and I love it) if you want to finish the inside seams so they don’t fray.

Measurements

My fabric was 54″ wide so I only needed approximately a yard and a half.

All fabric pieces were cut on the straight of grain. All seam allowances are 5/8″. If you have a serger, finish off all the edges prior to sewing pieces together.

The first piece of fabric for the back of the kimono is 30 inches by 36 inches.

The front two pieces measure 15″ wide by 36″ long (so two halves the size of the back piece).

The two sleeve pieces measure 22″ wide by 12″ long (this length hits mid forearm and if you want longer sleeves this is the measurement you would increase)

If you love handmade, check out my new line of Peony Earrings in the Shop.

Measuring and Cutting

1. Place each front piece (right sides together) on top of the back piece and pin along the top edges.

2. Sew (right sides together) each front piece to the back piece at the top, leaving 4″ un-stitched on the inner top.

3. Lay out the sewn piece (back and front) right side facing up. Find the horizontal centre of the sleeve rectangle, then pin that centre to shoulder seam (right sides together). Sew.

4. Repeat Steps 1-3 for the lining as well.

5. This is what the outer fabric pieces and lining pieces should look like laid out flat at this point.

6. Fold the kimono, right sides together, in half along the shoulder seams. Sew the bottom of the sleeves and the sides of the garment. *If you would like side slits, leave 8″ or more not sewn from the bottom. Repeat all of this step for the lining as well.

Sewing the Lining to the Outer Fabric

7. Fold the front edge in from the side of neck opening to centre front on both sides. Pin down, then trim these pieces off. Repeat for lining.

8. For the back of the neck opening, round the opening. Repeat for the lining.

9. Put the outer fabric kimono and the lining with right sides together. This begins the process of making the two parts into one garment. Where the slits are on the sides of the kimono, I pressed the seams all the way to the bottom of the garment. This will be sewn later on the outside as a finishing seam.

10. Cut a 4″ wide strip (on the straight of grain) as long as the length of the opening is of the front of the kimono. This will be folded in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. You can make this strip wider if you want a thicker band.

11. Finish one end of the trim band by sewing right sides together, trim corner, turn outward and press.

12. For added weight, I laid a strip of interfacing sandwiched between the trim. I pinned this into place.

(I pinned and sewed from the middle of the neck and down each side in the direction of the arrows shown. This is so that the proper draping of the garment is maintained on both sides)

Hemming

The trim band is added after the hem is complete. Trim the kimono lining all along the bottom 2″ shorter than the outer fabric. (Trust me on this one).

Place your outer fabric and lining pieces together with right sides together. Pin together the bottom hem edge of the outer fabric and lining. Stitch. Don’t worry if the rest doesn’t line up. Just focus on that bottom edge. And the side slits will be hand sewn after as well.

Adding the Front Trim Band

13. With the garment still inside out, slide the front trim in between the front lining and outer fabric. Line up one of the finished edges of the trim with the bottom of one of the front sides. Pin in. Sew the trim right side together at the bottom, trim, clip the corner and press once turned right side out (as you did for the other side in Step 11.

14. Sew this front trim in starting at the top of the middle collar and down one side then do the same for the other side. Before you sew the second trim side (from neck down), line up where the trim band will end.

Cut notches all along the inner band as this needs to lay flat and not be bulky.

15. Turn your kimono to the right side out by pulling the garment through one of your sleeve ends. Press along the trim and where it meets the garment.

16. You will notice as you line up the side slits with the outer fabric and lining that the outer fabric of the hem turns into the inside where it meets the lining.

17. Pin the side slits together and hand stitch with a slip stitch.

18. Finish the sleeve hem by serging the ends.

19. Press the outer fabric and inner towards each other. Have the lining be a bit shorter than the outer fabric.

20. Slip stitch around the sleeve.

Are you ready to start something amazing?

Do you desire to take your hobby and start a creative online presense?

Do you want to build a creative business but are struggling to find the answer to, “what do I do next?”

I can help you achieve your GOAL and LAUNCH your business. I can help take out the overwhelm.

So go for it! Take that step and book your FREE 5 minute call with myself, a Counsellor turned Coach with 17 years experience.

You are going to love the new you!

Watch this quick video below for more information.

Click HERE to learn more.

Oh, and speaking of FREE, I have something to start your plan today!

It is called the Creative Clarity Workbook. This workbook will walk you through the key Preparing and Planning components of successfully launching:

Core Values
Changing negative beliefs into Affirmations
Creating a Vision Board
Vocalizing and Visualizing your Dream
Creating Community
How to take Action

I am very pleased with how my DIY lined kimono turned out. It has a good weight to it and because of the lining, it won’t cling. The trim band stands up and the neck and lays flat all the way down. This striped band is the perfect coordinating fabric to go with the cross stitch fabric.