So I have been looking at Kimono’s and kicking around the idea of sewing a Kimono cover of some type for a couple of years. I’ve watched numerous YouTube videos on how to make the pretty flowy ones that look sexy. But couldn’t find a scarf or Fabric that I wanted to make one out of.
Cut to me online looking at things, I ran across some Kimono tutorials again, and thought Oh! I have some Fleece that I bought to make a hoodie for a present, and that never happened so maybe I could make a kimono robe from it! I made one once from a real pattern and loved it and wore it for years. But I don’t want to invest in buying a pattern. I run across this vague tutorial on http://www.instructables.com/id/Instant-Cozy-Kimono-Robe-Made-from-Blanket/. Interesting, but I was having a hard time understanding how to put it together, Sew lines??? This is how I figured it out! Instructable directions, cut 3 lines in blanket. WTHeck??
OK I see, So I got my fleece out, and Laid it out on the floor and laid on top of it to try and figure out where to cut it. And just got the scissors and cut it. So I made a small error. Be careful how far you cut the horizontal lines in. I’ll add a diagram at the end.
I got so excited that I added a shawl collar, and then a belt and belt loops, and then some trim. A loop to hang it on the back of my closet door and was going to add a hood but decided that it weighed about 5 lbs., and I was sweating, due to it being the end of July, so I stopped. (OK its Dec and I’m finally posting this) Sorry but I’m making another one for a gift and thought this could help someone else out.) It is super warm and snuggly!
I was so pleased with it, I bought some lighter fabric to make a summer robe! It is not as Wide but I’m going to make shorter sleeves.
Fabric used: Fleece 60 in wide (plenty wide) perfect in fact for my arm span, approx. 3,5 yards total, and this was enough to make it floor length for myself and I’m 5’6”. I bought it at JoAnns with a 50% off coupon. The author made hers from a blanket, I didn’t have one, but I’ll keep it in mind.
Notes:
Measuring the sleeve cut: I laid the fabric out and laid down on it, then folded over from the top to how deep I wanted the sleeves, I measured 17 inches, so that was a 17 inch fold from the top, that was plenty wide for a Kimono sleeve with no pulling for me. While your on the ground laying in the middle of your fabric, measure from where the fabric hits your wrist area to your arm pit. This will be how deep your cut will be. I cut mine too deep, you can make a seam and sew it up if it is too deep, it is under the big kimono sleeve so it will be hidden.
Shawl collar: That is just a collar the same width all around, I cut two strips the same length from back of neck to floor, and stitched then together, then put the seam at the back of the neck and stitched it all around. My strip was about 6 inches wide. But you could just make it as long as the neck hole if you are running short on fabric.
Belt: Just cut a long strip as long as you want it. I had enough fabric to double it and sew a seam, then I stitched it at the waist in the back for about 8 inches, I hate those dangling robe ties.
Belt loops: easy just cut a couple, if you are using fleece it will not fray, I just zigzag stitched mine around the edges and then sewed one at the waist on either side below the arm pit about an inch.
Hanging loop: I just made another belt loop and sewed it at the inner neck.
Hems: You can add trim or just turn it under and sew it. Easy.
Hood: Your on your own there, I was going to look at a hoodie and make a guess
Good luck and let me know if you make one!
