Christmas kimonos...

This is one of the Christmas presents that I made for my sister, Laura, this year. A kimono using Heather Bailey fabric and wide satin ribbon to edge it with. I made it from my own pattern...which currently exists only as a series of measurements and badly drawn pictures on the back of an envelope...in the new year I will try and mark it all out on some pattern paper to make it quicker to remake, as I so enjoyed sewing it together, that I think I may see whether they are something that might sell if I start up a shop on etsy in the new year.

Here she is modelling it for me yesterday. I'm so pleased that it seems to fit so well and I think it looks good with the ribbon tied at the side, but even better, as Laura chooses to wear it, with the tie at the back, creating a lovely flat cummerbund effect across the front.

Laura's kimono has been hanging on our bedroom wall for nearly two months and the room now looks very empty without it. I recently showed it to my mother-in-law and she thought that her daughter, Suzanne (my sister-in-law), would also like one too for Christmas, so you can see her one pictured below on the left. Also made using a Heather Bailey Freshcut fabric, this time with a creamy satin edging.

Below is a close-up of the fabric around the pocket (the belt is draped around the neck...that's what the dangly bit is...just in case you were wondering).

And the eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that in my new 'this is me' photo I appear to have stolen my sister's kimono...it is back with it's rightful owner now...but Laura very sweetly let me borrow it for a couple of minutes yesterday and photographed me while wearing it.