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Easy DIY Kimono Cardigan With Free Pattern

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Would you like to make a simple but elegant fashion statement? We have an exciting new pattern for you from my sewing friend, Debbie! This Easy DIY Kimono Cardigan With Free Pattern is just what you need! You will love this easy to sew statement piece that can be  worn any time – whether you are lounging, running errands, or just need a simple addition to compliment your outfit.  Whether you want to feel elegant or just want a casual style, the Kimono cardigan will not disappoint. 

Easy DIY Kimono Cardigan With Free Pattern

Drafted for 5’ 3” -5’7” in height, this DIY Kimono Cardigan can be made in either woven or stretch fabric. Your fabric of choice should be a lightweight and drapey fabric such as sheer, silk, lightweight satins, lightweight polyester blends, mesh, georgette, challis, mesh, lace. In this tutorial, a light weight 25% 2 way stretch knit fabric is being used. Your fabric can have any amount of stretch but bear in mind that if it does not have good recovery the Kimono may stretch out over time and become baggy.  Let’s get started!

Supplies For Easy DIY Kimono Cardigan

One thing to note is that when sewing stretch fabric, a stretch stitch is recommended for longevity and durability. An example of this would be a zigzag or lightening stitch. 

Fabric Yardage Required:

SmallMediumLarge
60″ Wide Fabric1.5 Yards1.5 Yards1.5 Yards

Size Chart :

Imperial (inches)SmallMediumLarge
Chest343638
Waist283032
Hip384042

The printable pattern is listed in imperial measurements (inches) and consists of the following pattern pieces:

  Front Kimono Cut 2 mirrored
Back Kimono Cut 1 on the fold

Pattern Printing Instructions

This DIY Kimono Cardigan pattern has layers, so that you can choose to print only the size you need. To achieve this Adobe Reader must be installed on your machine or device. Adobe Reader allows you to click on the layers icon which will show you each size with an eyeball beside it. Click on the eyeball beside the size you do not want to print. Is this kimono cardigan pattern missing the size you are looking for? Then check out our tutorial on How to Scale a pattern up and down.

Before printing check that your printer is set to No scaling or Actual size. Set the Page orientation to Auto or Portrait. And then print page 1.  Measure the 2” test square to see if it measures exactly 2”. If it does, print the remaining pages.

To trim the pattern, cut off the right and top margins of each printed page before assembling the pattern.  You can use tape or school glue to adhere your paper pattern together. 

Pattern Assembly

Kimono pattern photo

After the pages have been printed and trimmed as instructed above, use the quarter circles located at the corner of each page for perfect alignment.  This will give you accurate measurements when cutting out your fabric with the pattern. For this Kimono Cardigan, we will use a 3/8” seam allowance unless otherwise instructed throughout the project.

DIY Kimono Cardigan With Free Pattern – Easy Sewing Tutorial for a Kimono Cardigan

How To Sew A Easy DIY Kimono Cardigan With Free Pattern

Pinning front and back of Kimono Cardigan together

After you have cut out your fabric piece according to the pattern instructions above, we can begin putting your easy diy kimono cardigan all together. I always like to start by ironing my fabric beforehand so that everything is nice and crisp. Take the kimono front and back pieces and place them right sides together, matching the raw edges of the fabric of the shoulder piece and the sleeves. Pin them in place to keep them from moving.

sewing front and back of Kimono Cardigan together

Sew the front and back of the kimono cardigan together using a ¼ seam allowance if you are using a stretch fabric or use a zigzag stitch to secure the raw edges if you are using a woven fabric. If you are using a stretch fabric, be sure to stretch it as you are sewing so that it has room to stretch later without messing up your stitches.

pinning sleeve of Easy DIY Kimono Cardigan With Free Pattern

To hem the sleeves on your kimono cardigan, fold the sleeve hem wrong sides together by 3/8”, and then by another 3/8”. Sew it in place down the fold. Do the same thing to hem the other sleeve.

Next on this easy DIY kimono cardigan sewing tutorial, we will sew the side seams together.

pinning side seams of Kimono Cardigan
sewing side seams of Easy DIY Kimono Cardigan

Place the front and back of the kimono right sides together. Match and pin  the raw edges from the hem of the sleeves to the hem of the kimono. Then, sew them together using a ¼” seam allowance if you are using stretch fabric or just line the foot to the edge and do a zigzag stitch to secure the raw edges if you are using woven fabric. We are about halfway through this easy DIY Kimono Cardigan with free pattern sewing tutorial!

pinning hem

To hem the neckline of the kimono cardigan, start from the bottom hem of the Kimono, fold the fabric wrong sides together by 3/8”, then by another 3/8” and secure with pins. Continue folding and pinning all the way around the neck and back to the other end of the hem. 

sewing hem

Now for the last step in the easy DIY Kimono Cardigan sewing project! To sew the hem, fold it wrong sides together by 3/8” then by another 3/8” just like the other ones. Pin it in place and sew down the fold.

Debbie rocking this cute Kimono Cardigan.

And that’s it! You can wear this cute DIY Kimono Cardigan around the house, for running errands, or anytime you want to look cute and feel breezy! This easy sewing project would make a nice gift, too! Pick out your favorite fabric prints and make several you can mix and match with any outfit for a fun and unique look!

Easy DIY Kimono Cardigan With Free Pattern

If you liked learning how to make this Easy DIY Kimono Cardigan with Free Pattern, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, make certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!

Yield: 1

Easy DIY Kimono Cardigan With Free Pattern

Kimono Cardigan Create Card

This Easy DIY Kimono Cardigan with Free Pattern is super cute and fun to make! This is a great project for sewists of all skill levels, as the free pattern makes it easy to simple sew it together!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $15.00

Instructions

  1. Print the pattern.
  2. Cut out the fabric pieces according to the pattern.
  3. Place the kimono front and back pieces  right sides together, matching the raw edges of the fabric of the  shoulder / sleeves.
  4. Sew them together with a seam allowance of ¼” if you are using stretch fabric or use zigzag stitch to secure the raw edges if using woven fabric.
  5. To hem the sleeves, fold the sleeve hem wrong sides together by 3/8” then by another 3/8”.
  6. Sew down the fold to secure.
  7. Repeat for other sleeve.
  8. To sew the side seam, place the front and back of the kimono right sides together.
  9. Match and pin the raw edges  from the hem of the  sleeves to the hem of the kimono.
  10. Sew them together with a seam allowance of ¼” if you are using stretch fabric or use zigzag stitch to secure the raw edges if using woven fabric.
  11. To hem the neckline, start from the hem of the Kimono, fold the fabric wrong sides together by 3/8” then by another 3/8” and secure with pins.
  12. Continue folding and pinning  all the way around the neck, back to the other end of the hem. 
  13. To sew the  hem, fold it wrong sides together by 3/8” then by another 3/8”, pin and sew like before.
  14. Enjoy your new Kimono Cardigan!

    Notes

  1. ball point needle is recommended when sewing stretch fabric. 
  2. One thing to note is that when sewing stretch fabric, a stretch stitch is recommended for longevity and durability. An example of this would be a zigzag or lightening stitch. 

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