I guess I’ve been on a sewing tear lately! I like to keep a running list of patterns I want to sew by season, and I made just about everything I wanted to for “early” fall and the fall season (blogging about all of them is another story, hah). I had some tough classes this semester as well, but by taking just one at a time instead of doubling up (they were both accelerated, half-semester classes), I had much better work/school/life balance than in the past. Now, to enjoy the month off between semesters, ahhh….
Anywho, I wanted to share my first Kochi Kimono that I made a few weeks ago! The Sakura Collection released by Papercut Patterns earlier this year is full of fabulous designs and this is the second pattern I made from the collection (the first being a pair of un-blogged Nagoya pants).
For my first version of this pattern (the next one will be on here next week!), I cut out view A since I loved how the ties looked and the different ways you can wear this. In my experience, Papercut Patterns run on the large size, but I opted to cut a size small because I wanted that boxy, oversized look with this top – I think I got that! This top was super-easy and quick to make, but I was puzzled on the instructions for attaching the ties and couldn’t understand how the heck I was supposed to tie this with the way the ties are sewn on to the side seams, so I made them so that the ties tie inside on one side and outside on the other side. Maybe that’s what you’re supposed to do? Dunno, it was hard to tell from photos on their site and I just rolled with it, plus it ensures that the top stays in place and you don’t have to worry about constantly adjusting the underlap.
I also really like how you can wear this in two different ways. On the first day I wore this, I started the day off wearing it as you see above, crossed over like a kimono jacket. After going to the gym and changing, I switched to wearing it like I did in the very first picture of this post, just like a haori jacket I made waaaay back in high school in 2004.
What makes this kimono top/jacket even more special is the fabric – I bought this in October during a work trip to Madrid. I originally planned on using this floral poly for some kind of dress, but once I got home and looked through my patterns, the Kochi Kimono and my new fabric just clicked together!
Pattern: Kochi Kimono by Papercut Patterns
Fabric: poly crepe from Ribes y Casals (Madrid)
What a beauty! Such a pretty kimono and such a pretty lady! Now I really want to sew one also for myself … Have a nice Christmas-time.
I love the fabric you used for this kimono. I made 7 kimonos in the past 2 months (3 for me, 4 Christmas gifts). It was hard to find prints that I liked for each of them!
Perfect fabric-pattern pairing!! Maybe I need a kimono top now, too.
Author
It was a pairing meant to be! Everyone needs a kimono top, go for it!
I’ve seen a lot of kimonos this fall but yours is among the prettiest for sure! That fabric was just perfect for this pattern.
Author
Aww thanks so much Kathleen! 🙂
This is just beautiful. What a great pattern/fabric choice. And how serendipitous! I’m off to Madrid next month. Any other fabric shop recommendations?
I found your site by googling Kochi Kimono ties because I couldn’t figure out the ties too! I am going to do what you did – which is maybe what the instructions meant? A bit hard to tell. Glad I found your site though!!
Author
Glad it was helpful! 🙂
I too, am struggling with the instruction for the ties. I want to make variation 2 (lined without the neckband) but want to add the ties. I may, at this stage, leave the side ties off and insert them between the lining and the fabric later. This is my first effort with this pattern. Making it out of a beautifully drapey and soft printed linen. I hope I don’t screw it up.