Tutorial: Kimonos for the whole family

Mary from Zips & Darts shares a reproduced vintage magazine article showing how to make kimonos for the whole family. Mom, dad, brother, sister – all can have a hand made kimono! Kimonos are easy to make, requiring no pattern and using only simple straight seams. The article comes from a 1956 Woman’s Day. Follow the link below to go to her post:

Mid-Century Japanese Kimono, from Zips & Darts

[photo from Woman’s Day 1956, downloaded from Zips & Darts]

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The kimono has been worn in Japan for over a thousand years, dating back to the Heian Period.

So, why is the kimono so fashionable these days? Straight fabric cuts are combined to create a garment that will fit every body type. It is easy to wear and sew.

The excellent first sewing lesson. Kimonos are usually made of lightweight fabrics. Kimono shirts are ideal for layering in the summer.

The ideal beginner sewing lesson. Kimonos are frequently composed of light materials. Looking for more patterns and ideas for making your own Kimono top? Check out all our DIY Kimono Sewing Pattern articles.

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I’m always tempted by the pretty velvets at the fabric store. So much texture! And the way the fibers catch the light! But sewing on velvet is trickier than you’d think. That nap that lends beautiful texture also likes to slip and crawl. That nap can also spell disaster if you cut a piece the wrong direction. That isn’t to say you shouldn’t use buy that velvet and sew it into something gorgeous, you just need to go into your velvet sewing project prepared. And Melissa at Melly Sews has a post that takes you step by step through sewing on velvet.

Velvet is such a luscious fabric, especially for winter sewing projects. Of course there are velvet Christmas sewing projects – stockings, tree skirts, santa hats – but velvet is beautiful for all winter. Think of all the gorgeous velvet dresses, evening bags, hair accessories, even pillows and other home décor that you see all winter long.

Melly Sews’ post gives you the tips and tricks you need to know in order for your velvet sewing project to end up a success. There are types of projects better suited for velvets, and kinds of projects to avoid. She describes the different types of velvet available. And she also tells the best way to lay out and cut your pattern pieces from velvet fabric. Her tutorial also covers marking, pressing, and of course sewing that beautiful fabric. There’s also a video included in case that’s your preferred method for learning.

Head over to Melly Sews to learn how to sew on velvet fabric.

And if you want to learn more about that lovely blue velvet dress shown, she has a post that tells more about it including 2 ways to style it depending on if you want to be more dressy or more casual.

[photo credit: Melly Sews]

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