This kimono sleeved cardigan is made best with a sheer, lightweight, flowy fabric like chiffon, georgette, crepe etc. Yes, you are going to have a lot of trouble sewing these fabrics. They are trouble with a capital T. But once stitched, they are beautiful. Or else sew in a silk fabric as I did
Related posts : How to sew with silk – 12 problems answered; How to sew sheer fabrics.
Step 1 Cut out the front pattern. Take a fabric piece 40 inches wide and 30 inches long and fold by half (by the vertical). This will be cut and separated by the middle after marking and cutting out the neckline, sleeve etc. Just follow the picture below for the dimenions
( If the front piece you are using is finished as mine is with fringes, you will have to add 1/4 inch extra at the bottom edge to make the back piece same as the front piece) If the front piece doesnot have any fringes like mine, finish the hem now. Just use a fabric strip of 1 1/4 inch to bind the hem.
If you are interested in making tassels like the one above look at this post on making tassels.
Step 2. Cut out the back pattern for the kimono cardigan by folding a 40 inch wide and 30 inch long fabric by half. The dimensions as given in the picture below are marked on the fabric ; for the sleeve mark 14 inches – this will give you the wide kimono sleeves
This is the back pattern when it is opened up
Finish the lower edge of the back pattern with a binding – just keep a fabric strip of 1 1/4″ and bind the bottom edge of the kimono cardigan back piece
Step 3 Join the shouder seams. For that first, Keep the back piece right side up infront of you. Keep the front pieces on top of this rightside down- top edges of all pieces aligned. Stitch the shoulder seam together.
Step 4 Finish the sleeve hem. Just turn under twice and stitch the whole 28 inch edge – do for both the sleeves
Step 5 Cut a bias strip long enough to finish the lapel edge and neckline. You will need a 1″ bias tape for this.
Stitch the bias tape up from the bottom edge – first turn under the bias tape and then strat stitching . When you reach the other end also turn under the bias tape edge.
Turn to the back and stitch in place effectively binding the whole edge.
There, I have finished the kimono cardigan in under an hour
Related post : More Kimono Jacket Patterns here