How to Make a Kimono-Style Aloha Shirt
The “beautiful kimonos” that have served us well over the years are getting a new lease on life!
We remove all the “threads” sewn into the kimono, perform the “washing and stretching” process, and restore it to the state of a “bolt of fabric” as shown in the photo.
Since these aren't brand-new items, there may be some stains that simply won't come out completely.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the entire process of transforming a kimono into an aloha shirt.
For those who think, “Making one myself sounds like a lot of work…” — we also offer one-of-a-kind, ready-made pieces crafted by skilled artisans.
- Washing and Stretching / Unwashing
We remove all the stitching from items that were originally kimonos, returning them to their individual parts, such as the body and sleeves.
We then wash each piece by hand using water (or warm water) and specialized detergents.
After this, the fabric undergoes a steaming process to give it its "body."
With the kimono completely unbuttoned
- Cutting and Pattern Matching
After assessing the condition of the kimono and completing the “washing and stretching” process, we proceed to cut the fabric according to the pattern.
One thing I pay particular attention to at this stage is “pattern matching.”
Especially revived eha patterns, I make sure to align the patterns when cutting the fabric so that the design flows as seamlessly as possible when worn as an “Aloha shirt.”
- Sewing
After completing the “cutting and pattern matching” process, it’s finally time to sew the fabric pieces together.
We carefully sew each garment by hand, rather than using an assembly-line process.
In particular, interfacing has been inserted into the “collar” and “lapel” areas to add stiffness, and these sections have been sewn together.
We sew together parts such as pockets so that the patterns match as much as possible. (For some products, we may intentionally use different patterns.)
The back and the lining have also been carefully sewn together.
Here's the finished product ↓
HANDMADE IN TSURUOKA
I can never make the same pattern again.
From washing and stretching the fabric to pattern matching and sewing, every step of the process up to this point is done by hand.
You can view our completed one-of-a-kind pieces here.
Wear it without making it.
Since each piece is one-of-a-kind, you’ll only have this one chance to find a pattern you like.
If you have a kimono that holds special memories for you, we also offer custom-made options.
How the kimono-style aloha shirt was made.
After the kimono is unraveled, it undergoes a washing and stretching process before being re-woven into fabric. From there, the kimono is pattern-matched, cut, and sewn.
