I used a fine shirting to make the nagajuban, the under garment that helps to keep the kimono clean.
A band finishes off the bottom of the garment and carries on to become ties that wrap around and tie in the front under the breast, holding the collar in the proper position.
Unlike the kimono, the collar band is interfaced and darts inserted in the back.
The collar is 3″ wide, the two panels for each side are 14″ wide. The front and back are one piece with no shoulder seam. I could have made straight sleeves but I used the kimono sleeve style to leave an opening under the arm. It’s very comfortable.
The date jime and obi arrived on the Stitchery doorstep this past week. Here’s the date jime, by far my favorite to wear. It is 4″ wide and made of a wonderful silk faille.
The pre-tied bow is fun
The obi at 7″ is too wide for my height. It needs the wooden form that is the traditional method of supporting the obi to keep it from wrinkling.
I am not going to use the wooden form, although I should, it is the best method. I may use some timtex cut down to 6″ wide and wrap the solid color edge of the obi over it to reduce the obi’s width.
Conclusion = Fun to wear and HusPartner actually likes the look very much 🙂
~ I am HusPartner and I approve this message ~ O’Cheski’i san.
Subscribe with Bloglines
THE SEWING DIVAS sewing, design, fashion 
Oh how lovely! I adore the yellow, and I see what you mean about needing to shorten it a bit. I think the timtex is a great idea.
Comment by Gorgeous Things — June 7, 2009 @ 1:58 pm
Good idea to make the nagajuban from a fine shirting fabric, it looks great.
Lovely to see you wearing the obi, the yellow bow looks very festive.
Timtex and some boning will be helpful to get the desired shape .
Comment by Els — June 7, 2009 @ 3:26 pm
ooh i wish i could wear one of those every day! How come the japanese,Indian and arabic women all have national dress thats feminine,comfortable and forgiving?…:)
Comment by Michelle Jadaa — June 7, 2009 @ 4:51 pm
You sure can wear one of these every day! And once you learn the “how-to” of getting into it, (which takes three or four tries and the help of a good friend to help you get it “down-pat”) it is such FUN to wear, and you will get compliments everywhere you go!!!! They have different styles of obis, the formal ones we all are familiar with, but also a “bow-less” version even for women, for “relaxing in the room or after the bath” according to Mr. Yuzo Mishimi, honorable proprietor of Yukata Market Sakura. Check out the yukata in the clearance section — reasonable prices, and only YOU will know you paid less for it! I hope you everyone tries one soon! Everyone deserves to feel so comfortable and beautiful! have a blessed day!
Comment by AnneMae — November 19, 2009 @ 4:16 am
Thank you for posting that! I know a lot (more than just about anyone I know) about Western clothing, but not enough about Eastern clothing. I learned something new today! Thanks. 🙂
Comment by Heidi — June 7, 2009 @ 6:10 pm
You look stunning, Mary Beth!
Comment by Tany — June 8, 2009 @ 5:37 am
Lovely…absolutely lovely!
Comment by Pam ~Off The Cuff~ — June 8, 2009 @ 7:27 am
You look so serene and relaxed in your outfit! So nice to come home and just relax, isn’t it? Thank you for sharing about the kimono and various parts and how you made yours – very interesting and informative.
Comment by Summerset — June 8, 2009 @ 5:46 pm
That is beautiful. I’ve never seen the inner workings of Japanese clothing before. Thank you.
Comment by Christine Sews — June 11, 2009 @ 6:13 pm
I bought a yukata from Yukata Market Sakura, and am probably going to make several nagajuban to line it, and several more obis to compliment it. I thought it might be cheaper to make it, rather than buy it, although I find the quality from Mr. Mishimi’s company impeccable. Thanks so much for this posting; it gives me a good idea of what I am looking to accomplish . . . I am going to use mine for my energy/spiritual healing practice, because the kimono just seems to present a calming, comfortable, serene appearance, which is just how I want our sessions to start! It is also so fun to honor and wear such beautiful pieces of clothing, and truly one size fits all, from 20″ waist to 50″ waist, from 4’10” to 6′! How can you beat that? Thanks again, and will be looking at this several times in future to compare my results to yours!!
Comment by AnneMae — November 19, 2009 @ 4:07 am