The more I work with Kimono fabric, the more comfortable and the faster I get with it. Practice makes perfect! This mint green one was particularly fun since the colors are so vibrant. I had a roll of kimono fabric (tanmono) to start with. First, I look through meters of fabric to see where the prints are and try to find the matching print. Then I connected the matching print just like you match stripes or plaid. The width of the kimono fabrics are usually narrow like 36-38cm (more here) so depending on the pattern you are working with, you first have to connect the fabrics to figure out the fabric width. Once I have the width I want, I think of the print placement. Should the main print be in front? back? skirt area? You might be limited with the options depending on how the print is placed or shape of the pattern pieces. I try to mix up the print area and solid color area so that the dress does not look too busy or borning.
These solid color dresses were much easier required less thinking. Still, there was some stripes going on so I cut carefully not to disturb the stripes. 
Of all six dresses, I am most drawn to this cream color one. The silk is so soft and drapes beautifully. For this one, I could not find the perfect print match, but still went for similar print so that you can see the continuity. You can see the picture above that the pink (orange?) clouds matches but the purple cloud right above does not. Sometimes you just have to make the decision based on which mismatch is less noticable. You can see more of my kimono upcycling projects here.
反物からモダンなワンピースにリメイクしました。
反物は生地の幅が狭い（大体３６～３８㎝程度）ので、洋裁に使う際には色々工夫が必要になります。
特に柄が入ったものは、出来るだけ柄合わせをして、できないものはなるべく柄が合ってないのが目立たないようにします。
柄合わせは大変ですが、綺麗な着物の柄を楽しみながら仕事をするのは製作の醍醐味でもあります。
一番の個人的なお気に入りは下記の写真のクリーム色のワンピース。
柔らかいシルク生地で、流れるような質感がカシュクールスタイルにぴったりです。
Find me elsewhere:
Shop Update: Labor Day Weekend Deal!
Trip to Ho Chi Min City
Mommy’s Diary: Crayons
Built-a-Dress: Rose Print Spoonflower Fabric Dress
Miranda says
These dresses are gorgeous! I really admire how you chose to place the patterns; it sets them off beautifully.
Chie says
Thank you Miranda! It was like playing with puzzles:)
Thewallinna says
My favourite one is the yellow! But in all honesty, they all are beautiful and I would proudly wear every one of them! Did you make them for yourself or these are made-to-order dresses?
Chie says
Thank you Inna! I made these for a client for special events:)
eimear says
they are stunning – I love the aqua one – the print is beautiful and exquisitely made.
Chie says
Thank you so much!
Carmen says
I would love to see these on you. I love the first one, but it reminds me a bit of a robe. I’d love to see it on you and how you style it to get a better sense of how it would look to be worn out.
Chie says
Hi Carmen! I didn’t try it on myself since I made them for a client. But I used the same pattern to make this for myself: https://www.vivatveritas.com/2016/08/made-khaki-wrap-dress/
Since mine has stretch and the kimono versions don’t, it fits a bit differently, but I hope you can get a sense!
Karen says
Beautiful dresses, all of them. Which pattern did you use for the red and yellow dress? I love the drapes and shape of these dresses.
Chie says
Thank you! The patterns were provided by the client, so I think they were developed by their pattern drafters. I agree; the skirt drapes are pretty!