Quick & Easy DIY Kimono

Are you looking for that easy breezy summer wardrobe staple that elevates your look to feminine boho chic instantly? Look no further! DIY Kimonos are a great summer beach cover up, good to throw on with a summer dress on a cool evening or a great transition piece for fall. Paired with jeans or shorts, this quick & easy DIY Kimono is the most versatile piece you will ever own.

Supplies Needed*

The only supplies you need for this no pattern sewing tutorial is fabric of your choosing (approximately 1.5 to 2 metres), thread, pins, scissors and measuring tape. And of course a 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.

My material was lightweight, breathable and left over from a summer dress. But any lightweight poly/cotton blend would do. Just drape it over your shoulder if you are wondering if it would be a good material and get the feel of it.

I am 5’7″ and this DIY kimono grazes just below my seat.

Before You Start

All fabric pieces were cut on the straight of grain.  All seam allowances are 5/8″ except for the trim, which was 1/4″. 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 30 inches.

The front two pieces measure 15″ wide by 30″ 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)

Let’s Get Started

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. This is what the kimono should look like now, with the sleeves attached.

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Instructions Con’t…

5. Fold the kimono, right sides together, in half along the shoulder seams.  Sew the bottom of the sleeves and the sides of the garment.

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

7. Hem bottom of kimono. Fold over approximately 1/4” and then again, pin and sew.

8. Cut a 3″ 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 attached to make the front opening trim. You can make this strip wider if you want a thicker band.  Pin this strip, right sides together along the opening edge of the kimono from the bottom all the way around the neck and back down. (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 would be maintained on both sides)

Last Steps

9. Press 1/4″ under the opposite side that was sewn (see first picture).

10. Then fold the trim in half lining up the edge of the pressed edge with the inside seam. Press again.  Then sew right along this edge, once again from the top of the neck down one side then the same for the other (see second picture).

11. Hem sleeves. Fold over approximately 1/4” and then again, pin and sew.

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And that’s it!  This quick & easy DIY kimono was super simple to make. It is the epitome of feminine boho chic and so very versatile!

To complete your boho chic look, check out the DIY Jewelry post, “Just Bead It!” to make your very own designer beaded tassel earrings!

If you want to see more easy DIY craft tutorials, check out “Put Your Heart On It” for a no sew iron on t-shirt update.

And if you like what you see, please share the love with a comment, share or pin. Thank you!

Blessings from my house to yours,

Darlene

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.