Hi everyone!
Today’s pattern is a doll clothing expansion I’ve been getting many requests for, a kimono! So these garments are versions of the traditional Japanese clothing that are meant to fit all the patterns in my doll line. These include:
I’m not actually of Japanese heritage, so I thought it would be important to point out that I did my best to share everything I’ve experienced and learned about this beautiful garment, while not being a native expert myself. I also did my best to interpret it respectfully for a plush doll.
Some of the intricate folds and layers had to be simplified, but I tried to include as many key aspects as possible, including the same clean silhouette, the long sleeves, and decorative obi (belt). The tutorial goes over a simpler unlined version called a yukata. This is the kind worn in summertime and has shorter sleeves and a simple obi. After that is the more formal kimono which is fully lined, has extra long sleeves (furisode), and an extra collar layer meant to resemble the white under kimono (called the nagajuban). Both versions have different back options that allow for animal features like wings and tails.
So if you’d like something less complex, stick with the yukata and perhaps work up to the kimono, which is more complicated. In both cases, you’ll find many of the pieces are rectangles, which can be easy to get mixed up. So be sure to give yourself to time to label and mark each piece carefully so nothing gets confusing.
I hope you all will find this pattern particularly inspiring! With both this pattern and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month coming up in May, I don’t want to downplay the way Asian cultures have contributed to the arts and how often that’s taken for granted. So thanks to everyone’s support, both at my store and on Patreon, you all made it possible to donate $500 to the charity Stop AAPI Hate — an organization dedicated to stopping hate crimes against Asian Americans. I’ve left the information down below if you’d like to check them out yourself.
If you'd like to make your own donation 💖
