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):
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!
10 comments
Yes! I’m hooked! Details please? There are a bazillion patterns on eBay and Etsy, but it’s hard to find one with the nice wide sleeves you have here. Which pattern did you use? Also, I notice that most of the vintage patterns use 36″ and 45″ widths. How much fabric did you use w/ this 55 inch width? Santa, are you listening?
It was Simplicity 0017, from 1985. I think I had about 2.75 yards to work with. Hope this helps!
GORGEOUS! I love this!
I’m already thinking of a piece of clothing which can be seen by as much of the public as possible. Why hide this gorgeous piece of textile inside the home?? (And I haven’t even placed the order yet.)
I think the kimonos are gorgeous, anyway.
It’s beautiful! Just gorgeous!
I’m certainly in love with this fabric! I love what you did with it too 🙂
Already ordered this fabulous fabric! My Christmas present to me :).
Can you please post link to pink charmeuse if available?
Merry Christmas!
I can’t find the exact color on the web site, but order some swatches and you’ll probably be happy with one of them. But actually, I ended up not being happy with the weight of the charmeuse band. I should have lined it. I ended up ripping it off and adding a band from the self fabric, but I edged it with the pink charmeuse, like piping but without the cord. Loved the robe before but with this change I’m even happier!
Meg, I LOVE this! The fabric is super dreamy.
So glamourous. Reminds of the lovely dressing gowns that Bea and Evie wore on “The House of Elliott”! I need one, too.