DIY Kimono Jacket

Ever since the gypsy style gained popularity, long and loose kimono style jackets have been a great finishing touch for beautifully bohemian outfits. Unfortunately these jackets can be a bit on the expensive side, and for a piece that isn’t a staple item and is most likely a passing trend, it can be hard to part with your hard earned cash. To combat this problem, I created this tutorial on how to turn a thrift store dress into a kimono jacket. It’s cheap, you get to be creative, and the piece will feel extra special because it was made by you. On top of all that, this is a very straightforward DIY.

What you will need:

• A sewing machine and basic sewing skills
• A thrift store sac dress – this should be a dress that fits you loosely and does not have an elasticized waist band. Because it’s your own creation, you can be choosey about pattern, length and sleeve style.
• Thread that matches the dress
• A ruler or measuring tape

Basically all you are going to be doing is removing the middle section of the front of the dress, as shown in the picture above. Turn the dress inside out and lay it flat on a table with the front of the dress facing up. Using fabric chalk, mark where the center of the dress is at the top of the dress (the neckline) and the bottom of the dress (the hem.)

Once you have decided how much of the dress you want to cut out (this is going to vary depending on the style of dress you use, I cut about three inches out of mine) measure half of the amount out from the middle line. This means that if you are cutting three inches out, make a mark one and a half inches out from either side of the middle mark. Do this on both the neckline, and the hem.

Then using a ruler draw a line from the left mark on the neckline to the left mark on the hem, and another line from the right mark on the neckline to the right mark at the hem. Cut along both of these lines so that the middle section of the front of the dress is removed.

If you like the distressed look of frayed edges you can finish your kimono here. Otherwise you can fold the cut edge of the fabric over a quarter of an inch, and over again, and sew down the folded edge to create a hem. Do this on both sides, and then throw on some jeans, a tank top and your favourite boho jewelry to finish up your modern hippie dippie look.