Japanese Kimono

Archive for July, 2009

Question: How to make / sew a kimono robe night gown?

I bought a piece of pink silky fabric - 145 cm x 2 meter.

I want to make a gown like this: (But what I want is much longer - full length)

http://www.esensualsilk.com/bmz_cache/a/ad4d063a0f65d7c2e17fca859346c2c9.image.230x305.jpg

I'm really a sewing newbie, I know this is too difficult for me. What is the easiest way to make a basic gown like that one? Please provide some resources.

I found this but it's too hard to understand:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4925228_make-kimono-robe.html

I prefer pictures or videos.

Answer: My answer is to look at the patterns at the fabric store. There are some for a kimono that would be very easy to make. Look in the costume section of the pattern book as well as the sleepwear section. I wait for sales and get my patterns inexpensively.

Another source if you want to do kimono is patterns for Japanese costumes. There are some books about this (check your local library) and online sites of varying ability. "Make Your Own Japanese Clothes" is one I have used. Many online sites are in english for people doing costume work so you should be able to find ones that will work for you.

Kimono Series

Question: Help?! Where can i get...?

Does anyone know where i can get a japanese yukata/kimono from in either Bedford, Milton Keynes or Luton? Or around that area at least. I want something preferably cheap.. max £30.

If not, how about online stores? Id prefer not to use international stores.

Thanks in advance
x

Answer: Well, if you want something authentic, unfortunately the best places to get such things are from Japanese stores.

You can try Ichiroya, Yamatoku, Kimono Lily, Ryu Japan, Kimono Market Sakura, Jshoppers.com, Rakuten (make sure to select their international shipping option), or Bokunan-do. If you think you're pretty good at identifying the real thing in a mass of fakes, you can also try your local (well, local-ish) branch of eBay.