This fabric shown here and in more bright colorways is available at MoodFabrics.com. Scroll down to the end of the post for links!

Warning, fabric gushing ahead: Everyone at Mood is in love with this 4-ply silk crepe print from Thakoon’ s Spring 2012 collection. I usually can exercise some restraint when it comes to acquiring more fabric (a nice trait to have when you work at Mood!), but I had to snatch up a few yards of this luscious material. Four-ply silk is one of the most delightful fabrics to work with—it’s not slippery like other silks,  it presses well, and it feels like smooth velvet to the touch—plus, look at this print! I adore the Indian-influenced design and colors. You can tell just by looking at it why celebs like Natalie Portman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Demi Moore and Michelle Obama are Thakoon fans.

This particular fabric actually had the power to make me do something I rarely do—sew for others. [Reference numerous posts by sewing bloggers from around the world as to why we prefer, as a rule, not to sew for anyone but ourselves.]  I made this kimono and two others just like it for family members as Christmas gifts. Ever made a kimono before? They’re fast and simple to sew, no fitting is involved and a beginner could easily make one. (Here I used a vintage early ’80s Simplicity pattern found on Etsy.) French seams would have been nice, but I serged all seams instead for speed’s sake and they look fine. Four-ply silk has the power to make even serged seams look good!

Seriously, you could sew a kimono robe like this, from cutting out to completion, in under four hours. What added the most time for me was pattern placement of the big paisley motifs. I cut all pieces on a single layer of fabric, strategically placing the large motifs on the sleeves, center back, and side fronts. When you have a large print like this one, always buy enough extra fabric to allow you play around with your fabric—here, I factored in another 3/4 yard per kimono to my fabric total.

I used pink silk charmeuse for the contrast band.

Three kimonos finished and I am still in love with this fabric! Take a look here at how Thakoon used this print in his “super-vibrant collection of searing turquoise, saffron, orange, and gold” (Style.com):

From Thakoon Spring RTW 2012. Images from GoRunway.com

Have I sufficiently whetted your appetite for this fabric?! Mood Fabrics was lucky enough to acquire several of the fabrics from Thakoon’s Spring 2012 collection, including this 4-ply silk print in three colorways. Click here to buy, and don’t wait long because quantities are limited Don’t forget to post a photo of your garment on the Mood Fabrics Facebook page when you’re done!