Nyan Cat and Tacnayn Kimono

(Medium difficulty level)

I love wearing and making kimonos. They are relatively easy to make and fun to paint on making a specific theme. Last 2 kimonos were a Pac-Man duel kimono (A-Kon convention 2010) and a Galaga kimono (Halloween 2010).

This year's Halloween was inspired by the most random internet meme, Nyan Cat. I especially am intertained by the raibow voming out of its butt and its antithesis, the Tacnayn, with smoke and skulls.

In this instructable, I will include supplies, measurements, "and how to" pictures with instruction through out the making of this kimono. I am not including the obi. At a later date I may post one specifically, but for now another time.

Step 1: Supplies & Fabric

TOOLS

• something to measure with
  • measure tape
• hard surface (draw lines and to make a 90º angle)
  • metal ruler
  • plastic right angle
• chalk (to mark and draw lines. do not suggest pencil)
• to cut fabric with
  • scissors
  • rotor blade cutter (makes thing OH SO EASY but not a must)
• hard surface board (to cut and paint on)
  • I used a wooden board
  • cardboard works
• sewing machine
  • regular foot
  • zigzag foot (if you want)
• fabric (cotton is the best for the rainbow and smoke stripe sections)
• thread (regular, nothing special)
  • black
  • white
  • red
  • blue
• non-soluble fabric glue (make sure to read carefully if there is no mention of soluble or not)
• Acrylic paint (cheapy kind)
• 1/2" & 1/4" flat brushes (cheapy kind (Walmart, Home Depot, whatever)

FABRIC (the stripe sections can be cheap broadcloth. main front and back should be a little heavier than broadcloth)
Front

• main
  • royal blue => 2.5 yards (60 in.) or 3 yards (45 in.)
• rainbow stripe section
  • red => 0.5 yard
  • orange => 0.5 yard
  • yellow => 0.5 yard
  • blue => 0.5 yard
  • purple=> 0.5 yard

Back

• main
  • burnt orange => 2 yards
• smoking stripe section
  • dark navy blue or dark charcoal grey =>0.5 yard
  • medium grey => 0.75 - 1 yard
  • light grey => 0.75 - 1 yard
  • white => 0.5 yard

Waffle and Poptart body

• yellow orange => 0.5 yard
• pink => 0.5 yard

Step 2: Templates, Measurements and Plans

Kimonos, on the whole are an big bunch of rectangles. There are many ways to make them but ultimately it is in the way you put it on that makes the kimono.

This kimono will be using the idea of making panels (big bunch of rectangles) by piecing together parts, like you would for a quilt, to make the whole. Once you have the whole then it is easy kimono sewing from there. Of course, add a little painting and wha'la.

Ultimate length of kimono is usually your height or longer. Longer is good. I wouldn't suggest going past 6 inches of your height.

Image 1 - general measurements
Image 2 - general kimono measurements
Image 3 - cut breakdown of the stripes of the front rainbow and back smoke
Image 4 - general break down stripe section
Image 5 - cut breakdown of the front kimono parts
Image 6 - cut breakdown of the back kimono parts
PDF - Nyan Cat kimono design

Step 3: Cutting

• I measure out the fabric with the ruler and chalk.
• I usually fold over twice and use the right angle to make sure to position the hard metal ruler at 90 degrees to make a close to perfect line.
• Use the rotor cutter or scissors.

Step 4: Putting Together and Sewing the Stripe Sections

• Cut strips according to templates.

I chose to sew the stripes together in way that did not require a Serger. Very strong and durable. Sew anyway you want. Here's how I did it.

• Sew the stripes together very close to the edge. Under a 1/4 in.
• Iron out using starch
• fold again where the sewn raw edge is on the inside and sew again just a little past 1/4 inch. So the raw edge is encased.
• Iron again

Step 5: Piecing and Sewing Together Front, Back and Main Sleeves

Attaching:
Front and Back from template image in Step 1 (image 1-3)

1. F_stripe to F₂ and B_stripe to B₂
2. attach F₁ to F strip and B₁ to B strip
3. attach F₃ to F strip and B₃ to B strip

Sleeve (image 4)

1. S_front to S_back X 2

Step 6: Painting Front and Back Panels

Before you start to sew the kimono together. Must paint everything first.

CUT

1. 1 Pink rectangle
2. 1 yellow orange rectangle
3. 13 in. X 14in.
4. Fold edges under and iron with starch in to a 11 in. X 12 in. rectangle.

GLUE - using non-soluble glue like sew glue or something used for fabric.

CHALK out design on fabric

PAINT design following design using acrylic

Step 7: Paint Stars and Skulls on Sleeves

1. CHALK design first
2. PAINT base.
3. When painting with white, do not be surprised you have to wait until it drys then apply a second coat.
4. Skulls finish with black.

Step 8: Sewing and Completing Sleeves

Image 1 - 8 : finishing off the sleeves

Image 9 - 11:

• Cut the remaining stripe sections into 2 panels.
• Finish off all edges.
• Use the sewing glue or non-water soluble glue to attach sections underneath the inside of the sleeve. Needs to be high enough fromt he bottom edge of the outer edge of the sleeve so that it looks like it is free floating on the inside.

Step 9: Finishing Off Kimono Body

Neck piece:

• Fold width wise in half so it is now 2.5 in. X 64 in.
• Iron
• I sewed it together the 2 edges (makes it easier for me)
• attached
• zig zagged the edges (serger like look)

Following the rest of the image

I really enjoyed wearing this on Halloween. If you decide to make this or gives you some ideas let me know how it went. I love hearing about other people's take. Exciting.

Cheers,
Kieshar