If you scroll down, you will see one of the cute kimono jackets that I made earlier this month. Today a friend was showing me a kimono jacket with a peplum and my wheels started spinning. I thought now I can do that with lace and make it look similar to the cute tops and vest that a lot of the women are wearing with their leggins. So I set out to do just that!
This is such an easy project too. Your supplies are: blank baby kimono jacket (any color is fine, I just happened to have a white one.) 4" lace, either gather or straight will work. Small elastic lace for sleeves, Sewing machine, Serger (optional), rhinestone embellishments, glue
When preparing the lace, I don't pre-cut the size I will need. I keep it on the spool. I slightly fold the end (about 1/2") and using a zigzag stitch, I run it through the machine before I start. This will leave a nice finished edge. Next, line your lace top right under the double stitch on the jacket. Zigzag between those double stitches (like a guideline). My zigzag was on #2. Go slow so you don't go astray or stretch the lace. Try not to pull or stretch the jacket while stitching for this part. About 2" before you get to the other end of the jacket, back stitch and cut your thread. Remove the jacket; then measure the lace to the end and add 1/2"-3/4" extra. Again, fold over the extra 1/2" from the end and stitch with zigzag. Put your jacket back under the machine and finish the rest of the lace to the jacket. (You don't waste lace doing it this way).
I also cut off the sleeves only because this is going to Corpus Christi, Tx. and the baby is due in April, so it will be rather warm. To do this, measure from the hem of the sleeve up to 5 1/4" then cut off of the sleeve. Take it to your serger and slightly pull the sleeve as you serge around the arm of the sleeve. Be careful and don't let the sleeve get caught. When you finish, this will leave a ruffled edge. Or you can take stretchy ribbon (like in photo) and again using your zigzag on your machine, zigzag the lace around the arm. The key to this, is to stretch the lace elastic as you zigzag. It's that easy.
Next just find pretty rhinestones and attach (either glue or stitch) them to the jacket. You can use other embellishments like bows, flowers, buttons etc... I used 1/2" sq rhinestone. Now you have a OOAK beautiful jacket. Add it to cute lacy leggins, or a sweet bloomer to complete the set. You can also give it an antique feel, by tea dying it. If you do, your lace might take longer to dye, so I would dye it before you attach it to your jacket.
Hope this has inspired you to give it a try.
