only 1 minute | Kimono Sleeve Pattern: How To Draft ‎
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In this tutorial you’re going to learn how to draft your own kimono sleeve pattern. I’ll also run through a brief history of the kimono sleeve as well as some frequently asked questions at the end.

Do check out my guide to the different types of sleeves as well so you can see other sleeve styles open to you – I’ll be adding in pattern making tutorials for those in the coming weeks too, but you can start by drafting the basic sleeve block as well.

And if you prefer video, I’ve added my kimono sleeve pattern drafting tutorial at the bottom of this article.

What Is A Kimono?

Before we can cover what the kimono sleeve is and how to draft a kimono sleeve sewing pattern, we should first touch on the Kimono itself. 



The kimono is a traditional Japanese garment that has been worn by men, women and children for centuries in Japan “stretching back to the Heian period (794-1185), although it was not until the Momoyama era (1573-1603) that garments resembling the modern kimono in terms of shape and patterning were first worn”. (Kimono: The Art and Evolution of Japanese Fashion Thames & Hudson 2015).

On a basic level the kimono is a T-shaped garment which wraps around the body, has long sleeves and a wide obi sash that is typically made of silk.



On a more detailed level, all the parts of a kimono are cut from one long length of fabric and use straight seams, with the main body seamed together at the center back and draped over the shoulders. The sleeves are then added – again with straight seams – and finally the neckband, front wrap and collar. The kimono is then fastened with an obi belt.



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Though the kimono is centuries old in one form or another, in the earlier referenced book, Anna Jackson states, “The kimono became treasured as a cultural relic, and revered as the essence of what was Japanese in an increasingly globalized world…” and states too that the wearing of the kimono as an everyday garment in Japan has dramatically declined. Perhaps this is why the kimono sleeve became a more popular sleeve style used on dresses, blouses and jackets?



That said, the kimono is still a part of modern Japanese culture. It is not uncommon to see people wearing kimonos on special occasions such as weddings and funerals and while the traditional kimono is made of silk, there are now many different types of fabrics used to make them, including cotton and synthetic materials.

What Is A Kimono Sleeve?



The kimono sleeve in western clothing has evolved beyond what is seen in traditional Japanese kimonos. Where they were historically angular with a wide hem, now the kimono sleeve is a sleeve that is ‘grown on’ to the bodice pattern itself.

This is why it can now be found on a variety of garments, from dresses and blouses to jackets and coats – it’s easy to draft and construct in fabric form – and I’m going to show you how to draft your own ‘modern style’ kimono sleeve pattern!

What You’ll Need



In order to draft a kimono sleeve pattern you’ll need a few things:

Bodice block – front and back

*Sleeve block – one piece sleeve

Pattern making paper

Measuring tape

Ruler / pattern master

Pencil

Paper scissors

*While it is completely possible to draft a kimono sleeve pattern without a sleeve block, I always use it for the most accurate final result. If you do not have a sleeve block you can use the measuring tape to find the length that you would like for your kimono sleeve length and width.

You’ll also want to think about how you want the kimono sleeve to fit – is it going to be close fitting and closer to the underarm – probably necessitating an underarm gusset – or with more ease for a looser fit? This is something you’ll need to know before drafting the kimono sleeve pattern!
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