Kimono Collection Colourful Japanese fabrics take the place of traditional paper in these tiny origami kimonos and a simple nine-patch quilt shows them off to perfection. MATERIALS Nine pieces of assorted novelty fabric each 12½in x 3¾in for the folded kimonos (nine fat eighths are suitable) 20 cm (¼yd) cream fabric for the nine background patches 20 cm (¼yd) black for the narrow borders 30cm (⅓yd) fabric for the sashing and outer border 20cm (¼yd) fabric for the binding 60cm (24in) square of batting 60cm (24in) square of backing fabric 10cm (⅛yd) lightweight fusible interfacing 9 small safety pins or 10cm (⅛yd) visofix Cotton thread to match the fabrics Rotary cutter, ruler and mat. Scissors Pins Steam iron and ironing board Wooden satay stick Masking tape Sewing machine with accurate ¼in foot Walking foot (optional) General sewing supplies Finished quilt size 53cm x 56cm (20½in x 22 in) Kimonos each 7.5cm x 9cm (3in x 3¾in) It is recommended that all fabrics be 100% cotton, pre-washed and well ironed. Seam allowances of ¼ inch are used throughout and are included in the instructions. Requirements are based on fabric 112cm (44in) wide. CUTTING
Kimonos From the novelty fabrics cut nine rectangles each 12½in x 3¾in Quilt Cut all strips from the width of the fabric Cream fabric Cut one 5in strip and cross cut nine 4½in x 5in rectangles Black fabric Cut two strips each ¾ inch wide and cross cut 18 strips each 4½ inches long Cut three strips each ¾ inch wide and cross cut 18 strips each 5½ inches long Sashing and borders Cut one strip 1½ inches wide and cross cut 6 strips each 5½ inches long Cut one strip 1½ inches wide and cross cut 2 strips each 16 inches long Cut one strip 3 inches wide and cross cut 2 strips each 17½ inches long Cut one strip 3 inches wide and cross cut 2 strips each 21 inches long Binding Cut three strips each 2½ inches wide Fusible interfacing Cut a strip 2½ inches wide and cross cut into eighteen 1 inch strips Visofix Cut a strip 1½ inches wide and cross cut into nine 3 inch strips CONSTRUCTION Quilt Join a ¾in x 4½in black strip to the top and bottom of each of the nine cream rectangles. Press the seams outwards. Join a ¾in x 5½in black strip to each side and press the seams outwards. Join a 1½in x 5½in sashing strip to each side of one unit and press the seams outwards. Join another unit to each side to make a row of three units separated by two sashing strips. Join a 1½in x 5½in sashing strip to each side of one unit and press the seams outwards. Join another unit to each side to make a row of three units separated by two sashing strips. Make two more rows to give a total of three.
Join the 1½in x 16-inch strips to the top and bottom of one row and press the seams towards the sashing. Join the remaining rows to the top and bottom of the unit and press the seams outwards. Borders Sew the 3in x 17½in borders to the sides and the 3in x 21in borders to the top and bottom. Press the seams outwards Backing Lay the backing fabric face down on a smooth flat surface and secure with masking tape to keep it in place. Lay the batting over the backing and place the quilt top right side up. Working from the centre, smooth out any creases or wrinkles. Pin or baste the layers together. Quilting Stitch in the ditch around the outer (black) edges of the cream rectangles. Stitch all three layers together around the outer edge of the quilt. Binding Trim the batting and backing to the edge of the quilt. Join the three strips of binding fabric using diagonal seams. Press the seams open and trim away the excess fabric at the edge. With wrong sides together, fold in half lengthwise and press carefully. Stitch the binding to the front of the quilt with a ¼in seam matching the raw edges and mitring the corners as you go. Turn the folded edge of the binding to the back and hand stitch in place taking care to secure the ends neatly. Remember to add a label giving your personal details and the completion date. Kimonos Make the kimonos using a steam iron to set the creases. Follow the step-by-step instructions and have a wooden satay stick on hand to keep the fabric in place whilst you press. This avoids the chance of burns from the hot steam. Secure the kimonos to the centres of the cream rectangles with either a safety pin or Visofix.
Kimono Folding Instructions Fabric should measure 12½ inches x 3¾ inches. For best results use a steam iron to set the folds. 1 With wrong side of fabric facing up, make a single ¼ inch fold down each long edge and a double ¼ inch fold along the top edge. 2 Turn the piece over to the right side. Fold the two top corners over to the right side so that they meet in the centre to form the collar 3 4 Fold the piece into three so that there is a ¼ inch space between the top fold and the point. The first fold and the lower edge should be in line. Fold in all layers on both long edges so that they lie parallel with the edge of the collar. 5 6 Fold back the top layers of fabric on both edges. Press the upper edges flat to form a triangle Turn the piece over. Fold the top section down along the base line of the triangles so that the collar section protrudes above the fold line.
7 Working from the reverse side, fold back the previous fold. Double fold the top layer of fabric so that the raw edge is tucked inside and lies along the lower fold. The top fold should be in line with the fold made in step 6 8 Refold the top section over the double folded section to hold it in place. 9 Cut two pieces of fusible interfacing each 2½in x 1in and iron onto the back of the piece. One should lie across the top (sleeve) section and the other down the body. This will hold the folds in place. 10 Cut a piece of fusible interfacing 2½in x ½in. Fuse to the upper part of the back for about ¾ inch, insert the pin so that the fixed side of the pin lies onto the piece and the locking loop is on the left. Fuse the lower half of the interfacing in place to hold the pin secure. 10A As an alternative to using a pin to attach the kimonos to the quilt, cut a piece of visofix 3in x 1½in and iron onto the back of the kimono. Remove the backing paper and position the kimonos carefully onto the quilt and fix with a hot iron.