DIY Chiffon Kimono | Spoonflower Blog
Featured designs

Using Spoonflower’s airy Chiffon, this beginner-friendly robe jacket sews up quickly, and can be worn around the house or layered for a breezy boho look that is music festival and Sunday picnic-approved! Keep reading to see the complete video tutorial or jump ahead for the step-by-step photo instructions. 

This tutorial created a garment that was previously referred to as the “Chiffon Kimono.” It has been updated with a new name: “Chiffon Robe Jacket.” We recognize the history and tradition tied to the kimono and appreciate Emi Ito’s reflection on this subject.

To learn more about cultural appreciation versus cultural appropriation please visit this blog post for some words and actionable suggestions from Spoonflower’s Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Sustainability (DEIS) Dave Laboy.

Materials

Sew Up this Easy Summer Kimono | Spoonflower Blog

Here’s what you’ll need:

Prepping the Fabric

DIY Chiffon Kimono - prep your materials | Spoonflower Blog

After pre-washing your fabric, cut off the selvage of your Chiffon, and then cut out your fabric based on how long you want it to lay on your arms and legs. For a shorter, cropped jacket, cut out a 40” x 55” inch piece of fabric. We want our version to be longer, so we’re going to use a 54” x 108″ piece of fabric (Spoonflower’s Chiffon is 54″).

Fold the fabric in half lengthwise with wrong sides together. We’re lining up the folded and selvage edge with the grid lines of the cutting mat to keep the grain line straight which helps the finished garment hang properly.

Creating the Sleeves

DIY Chiffon Kimono - create the sleeves | Spoonflower Blog

Measure down 15″ from the fold and mark with your tailors chalk. Next, mark a line 6” in from the selvage edge down the length of your fabric. Starting at this mark, draw a line at a right angle down the length of your fabric.

DIY Chiffon Kimono - cut the fabric | Spoonflower Blog

This will create an L shape on the fabric. Cut out the L shape. This is the side of the jacket and your first sleeve. 

Pro tip: Chiffon is slippery–put tissue paper under the paper to hold it in place easier OR pin in place.

DIY Chiffon Kimono - marl the sleeves | Spoonflower Blog

Repeat this process on the other side. Your fabric should now be an oversized T shape.

DIY Chiffon Kimono - french seams | Spoonflower Blog

Sew your seams together, using a ¼” seam allowance. We’re going to be doing french seams for this project.

Pro tip: As you sew, pull the thread lightly from the back to keep it from getting sucked in.

DIY Chiffon Kimono - press your seams | Spoonflower Blog

Press your seams flat.

DIY Chiffon Kimono - trim the seam allowance | Spoonflower Blog

Trim the seam allowance down to ⅛” of a inch. This will help the second seam fully enclose the first.

Creating the Opening

DIY Chiffon Kimono - create the opening | Spoonflower Blog
Beckie is wearing Boheme Butterfly Marine by holli_zollinger

Now we’re going to create the opening of the jacket. Measure in from both sides to find the middle of your t shape.

DIY Chiffon Kimono - create the opening | Spoonflower Blog

Cut your fabric from the bottom to the fold, being extra careful to cut just the top layer of your fabric.

DIY Chiffon Kimono - create the opening for your head | Spoonflower Blog

To help the neckline lay flat, we’re going to cut a subtle curved opening for the neck.

DIY Chiffon Kimono | Spoonflower Blog

We’re also going to round the bottom hem so we can sew a continuous rolled hem all the way around the garment.

DIY Chiffon Kimono - hem your fabric | Spoonflower Blog

DIY Chiffon Kimono - hem your fabric | Spoonflower Blog

Hem everything using a ¼” seam allowance to finish your french seam. Press your seams again.      

DIY Chiffon Kimono | Spoonflower Blog

And you’re finished! Now you have a beautiful, lightweight robe jacket!

DIY Chiffon Kimono | Spoonflower Blog

The DIY fun doesn’t have to stop here! See another take on this festival staple with Spoonflower maker Maddie Flanigan‘s lace and chiffon robe tutorial.