My handmade kimono robe

[breakinglight11]

I recently took a class at the Boston Vintage Factory where I made a kimono robe.

I picked this gold fabric with a silky side and a striated side to get experience working with slippery fabrics. It was a lot of work, but the studio's owner and teacher Kristen walked me through it, and I picked up some really great skills. It's all finished with French seams, which look neat and professional, and I even set in sleeves for the first time.

In places I did a very neat job, such as the topstitching in here on the collar.

Other places, like on the back of the neck here, didn't come out so perfectly. But I am pleased with how I managed to get the collar to lay against the fabric of the back. It can be difficult to get a curve like the collar piece to lay smoothly, but I attached it with minimal puckering.

Here's the inside of the sleeve. It's hard to see, but I managed to set it in such that the seams all meet in more or less the same place under the arm. Still, the fabric of the sleeve is a little pinched up right there, rather than entirely smooth. You can also see the French seams and the inner tie.

It's not perfect, but I'm pretty proud of myself, I'm so excited that my skills are building. And I can't recommend Kristen's classes enough. You should totally go to the BVF website and sign up for one. :-)

Comments

[offside7.livejournal.com]

Looks great!

[lisefrac.livejournal.com]

Well done! French seams are relatively easy, but sometimes it's just a pain to remember to do them.

And don't worry, I have epicallly fucked up some collars (and armscyes!) in my time. Still do, sometimes!