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Kimono top.

A couple of weeks ago I came across a Kimono Tutorial video on YouTube from YouTuber, Peppermint Milk.
It looked pretty straightforward, gave all the pattern dimensions need, and only needed a couple of yards of material. I had some knit fabric that I obtained from my local "scrap store". It was easily long enough but it had a large flaw running across the width which I needed to avoid if I were to have a successful make.
I drew up the pattern on brown wrapping paper, just three pieces, laid it out on the fabric and was able to miss the flawed section of fabric with a little juggling of pieces. Pheeeeeew .........



Once I had the pieces cut out I followed much of the construction in Peppermint Milk's YouTube video, using my Toyota 3304 overlocker to do the sleeves, shoulder and side seams, using a 4 thread overlock. I pressed as I went to keep everything neat. Once all the pieces were attached together I decided that the kimono needed a different finish to the neck and front than the simple binding shown in the video.
I made a 3" front band from the material, with fusible interfacing inside, and attached it to the centre back, around the neck and down the front of the kimono using my vintage Singer 201K fitted with a jersey needle.
Sleeve and bottom hems and side slit were sewn on my Singer 201K. Similarly, I used the 201 to edge stitch sleeve and bottom hems, side slit and the outer edge of the front band.
I had deliberately made the garment 6inches shorter than the pattern so that it looked more of a lightweight jacket/top. It needed a couple of belt loops and a belt (made from the same material as the garment) to finish it off.
I rarely change things or add to patterns, but this worked out really well, so I guess I will be doing more in the future.

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