So this is the inspiration

This was the pattern and I planned to add a drawstring and buttonholes at the waist and make the kimono in velvet and get the trims in India

This is how it started – you have to be careful of the nape in velvet – it has to drape the same way

Sew the back , shoulders and sides with a 5/8 inch hem

Arrange the borders and connect them – 5/8th seams !

Make one inch box pleats on either side of midline so the neck band fits, alternatively you can do gathers- just so the notches line up. Then add a staystitch just under the hemline

Now sew that trim on matching the notches and the seams and the curves – I used basting stitches for this one

Sew the other band on this way and notch all the curves

Turn the edge over and sew down over a basting stitch

Then realize that you’ve messed up the nap and have to redo a whole band so cut new pieces and start the unsewing process

Attempt 2- pin the band and just planning on a top stitch

Fold the other side in and make sure band lies flat

Ok so far laying much better than other technique – may have to redo other band too

Now pin it in and sew

Ok this worked beautifully – annoyingly I have to redo the other side now

Done with the other side ! This is how I’ll be doing my front bands from now on

Hem the arms to 5/8 inch

Now for the drawstring – first use safety pins to make sure the placement is correct

Ok that turned out cute- more to follow when I get the trim