Patternmaking Guide: Kimono Sleeve Dresses & Cardigans

Want to learn how to draft kimono sleeve patterns? This Guide will show you how to draft the basic kimono (also called grown-on) sleeve block using the dartless bodice block. And then turn that into dress and cardigan patterns. 

There are two different dress designs: one with a flared hemline and short sleeves, and another one with a cocoon shape. In this guide you can also find two cardigan/robe designs. One of them is a basic kimono sleeve cardigan, with long, slim sleeves, and the other design can be made into a robe or a cardigan, depending on your fabric choice. It has a handkerchief hem and the sleeves are separated with a seam.

Ideal fabric choices for kimono sleeve garments are knit fabrics, however, with wide or short sleeves you can also get away with wovens.

This Patternmaking Guide is classified "Easy" in difficulty and will be accompanied by the Dartless Bodice Block guide.

Who is this product is for?

For anyone who has already sewn a few garments using commercial patterns and is now interested in learning how to draft their own unique patterns.

Who isn’t this product for?

Although the pattern making instructions provided are very detailed, complete-beginner sewers may find drafting these patterns quite challenging. Even a small understanding of garment construction will be extremely helpful. Also, these e-guides do not include instructions on how to sew the garments, so this might become a problem. 

What is included in the e-guide order?

Each guide comes with the corresponding basic pattern instructions. So, for example, the ruffle skirts guide is accompanied by the basic skirt guide. This way you’ll be able to draft the basic skirt block that is needed for making the ruffle skirt patterns. The basic pattern guides also include additional patternmaking instructions related to the subject.

Notice, that none of the patternmaking guides include the actual patterns. Instead, there are step-by-step instructions on how you can draft the pattern yourself using your measurements. The instructions consist of pictures and text and are limited to patternmaking only, so there are no sewing instructions. However, there is a Facebook group where I provide support if you need help with this. And you can also ask questions via email.

You will get two versions of each PDF, metric and imperial; I know how difficult it can be to draft patterns and trying to convert measurements at the same time!

Copyright

The patternmaking guides are for your personal use only, please do not publish or share the files or parts of them anywhere. Also, the garment designs provided are for personal use only, however, if you create your own pattern designs with the help of the instructions, this rule no longer applies to the resulting garments.

Return Policy

Due to the nature of digital goods, and the fact that you receive immediate access to the files, I cannot offer refunds or exchanges on the e-guides. So, please review the product information carefully before purchasing.

However, if there is a fault with the files or you get the incorrect items, do request a replacement.