Day 8 - Winter: Self drafted kimono jacket - #bpsewvember

I joined a sewing photo of the day challenge on Instagram this month.  The hashtag is #bpsewvember.  For those of you who might not be on Instagram, you can google the hashtag and click images to see the postings.I joined knowing that I'd pick and choose my days but today the theme is winter and I had just the item to share - my self drafted puffy kimono jacket.

I often buy my fabric because I love it and not because I know what I'm going to do with it (this is how out of control fabric stashes are born).  Last year, I found puffy material at Joann's and grabbed it.  I drew up a very simple pattern (essentially 3 rectangles) and made this cropped jacket.  I used my serger and decided to expose the stitching side which gives it some detail and highlights its square structure.

I love wearing it with a turtle neck and jeans or a pencil skirt.  It is roomy and warm yet not too hot to wear.  It's almost like throwing a scarf on to run around town.  Here in Reno it starts out cold in the morning but ends up warm early afternoon so this is the perfect run around town solution.

Are you participating in #bpsewvember?

Using Kimonos in home decor

Main Entry: ki·mo·no

Pronunciation: \kə-ˈmō-(ˌ)nō, -nə\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural ki·mo·nos

Etymology: Japanese, clothes, from ki wearing + mono thing

Date: 1886

1 : a long robe with wide sleeves traditionally worn with a broad sash as an outer garment by the Japanese

2 : a loose dressing gown or jacket

— ki·mo·noed \-(ˌ)nōd, -nəd\ adjective

Merriam-Webster.com

 

 

 

Years ago, a friend of mine brought me a vintage kimono from Japan.  Made of silk and in vibrant colors, I wanted to display it rather than wear it.  So, I found a slim curtain rod, some large black hooks and fashioned it into a display over my bed.  It is simple, elegant, and dear to my heart.   

Decorating your home with kimonos couldn't be easier.  You can find them in local vintage and antique shops or online.  Two other ideas to get the same look without buying a kimono:  simply drape fabric onto a rod in the shape of a kimono (the shape is just two rectangles) or cut colorful paper into rectangle shapes and frame them. 

Here are kimonos I found on Etsy:

vintage postcard by Global Texture

vintage kimono from HapaHaus

kimono origami card by Nina Martell

original print by Crystal Smith

kimono sleeve linen dress by annyschoo

kimono necklace by Something Kawaii