Sometimes You Just Have to Try!

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Another kimono make from my stash! 

I purchased this sweater knit from Hancock Fabrics many moons ago and used it to slightly hacked

Simplicity 1108! 

As you can see it is very sheer!  So sheer that when I pulled it out to finally decide what to make with it, I didn't realize that it was folded in half.  So when I opened it up fully, it was even sheerer (is that a word? 😃) than I thought!

I've styled it here with my tent/swing/trapeze dress! Click here to see the details of the dress!

This was a fun, quick make!  I constructed it entirely on my serger...then had to consider my options for finishing the edges!  The pattern called for a wide band, but I knew the fabric would not support it, nor could I successfully interface it.

I considered using packaged cotton binding (due to my current binding addiction, I have tons of it).  But I felt that it would be to heavy and pull on the kimono.  

The it hit me...I've had fleece binding in my stash for years! 

If it's fleece added to a sweater knit, that should work, right?  

I had no clue, but decided to try it anyway!

 Drumroll!!!! 

It worked!

The fleece binding was not too heavy, the two fabrics played nice together and it framed my duster beautifully!

And I love what happened with the sleeves!  They ended up with a sort of bell shape!

 I could have prevented that effect, but I decided to let the fabric combos work it out!

Isn't it interesting - amazing really - how different fabrics have different looks!  

This kimono is from the same pattern as the kimono below.  But notice the attached band!

Check this one out here!  

It was a trial of a different sort...I wanted to see if I liked the silhouette on me!

I love it! 

And I really love the way both fabrics drape!

I also paired it with a peplum top, pants and boots!  It's a fun casual look!

I have obviously fallen in love with kimonos and dusters!

You will be seeing more on my blog, soon! 

Happy Endless Sewing!

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Kimono Trial

This post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click through and make a purchase from these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Kimono Trial

I have to admit, I wasn't sure how this kimono...or any kimono or duster...would look on me. And of course I wasn't fully dressed when I tried it on after I finished making it.

But I went with it and I love, love, love it!  

There will definitely be more duster styles to come, including this one! I think I will make this one again in a lightweight scuba or a ponte knit.


I used Simplicity 1108 - View A. I actually made this in December, so my excuse for not wearing it was that it was too cold and it would not work under a coat.  So I stuck it in the closet and actually forgot about it!

Then last week I wanted to wear black and white and I remembered it!  

I decided to wear it with black cropped pants and a black knit peplum top. 

Yep! I added a peplum under it!

I got so many compliments that I was quite taken aback!

I purchased this peach skin fabric from Hancock fabrics several years ago to make scarves. But each time I pulled it out, I knew it would not work well for scarves...so back it went into my stash again and again.

Then I saw this pattern and decided to just go for it!  

 I'm sure most of you know that I love print matching, but I wasn't sure how it would work with the band.  I'm very happy with the end result.

  The pattern and instructions were easy, but my brain had some trouble placing the circular band. LOL! But once I got past that, it was easy going! The sleeves are cut-sleeves, so there are only two main pattern pieces, plus the bands.

 Some parts of the band are interfaced and others are not.  If you make this, be sure to follow those instructions carefully as you don't want the weight of interfacing pulling your kimono. I used a very lightweight knit interfacing and am very happy with the results.

 I finished the seams with french seams.

The center back is slightly gathered and is a detail that I like for this garment.  It gives it even more draping.  After stitching the band on, I top stitched it down around the entire garment.  You can hand stitch it or stitch in the ditch.

 I finished the sleeves with a narrow hem, as I didn't want to lose any of the print there.  I spent too much time print matching to lose it to a hem! LOL!

Thanks for visiting and reading my blog! I look forward to your comments and feedback!

P.S.

 I finally figured out how to use some of the photo editing features on my phone, thus the black and white photo!  😄