Child Yukata - A Tutorial (Part 1)

This is Part 1 of the tutorial or step by step guide in sewing a child yukata. This part features the sewing of the yukata top.  Sewing of the pants will be featured in Part 2.It should be noted however, that this sewing method does not reflect the original style of the Japanese yukata.  

The pattern below is suitable for 6 - 9 months old baby.  The pattern can be scaled up or scaled down according to your child's size.



Steps :

1) Cut out the pieces based on the pattern.  Remember to cut the body piece based on left or right side.  It would be easier to first fold the cloth into 2 and cut the pattern accordingly.  This way, you won't have to cut the left or right side of the body piece separately.  (A = body piece, B = sleeve, C = collar, D = tie string)

2) Fold the body piece so that C and C' are exactly underneath D and D'.  Sew from D to D'.  Repeat with the other body piece.

The sewn shoulder

3) Assemble both body pieces so that the right side of the fabric is facing each other.  Sew from A/A' to B/B'.

4) With the right side of body piece facing up, arrange the sleeve so that the distance from E - F is the same with G-H.  It should be noted that the wrong side of the sleeve should be facing up at this point.






Assembled sleeves


5) Sew from F to G.

6) Turn the body piece inside out and fold it lengthwise so that the end of the body piece is touching each other.  It should be the same for the sleeve.  The wrong side of the fabric should now be facing out.

7) Sew I to J and from J to K.

8) Repeat steps 4 to 7 at the other side.

9)  With the right side of the fabric facing out, fold L to M in and sew in place.  Repeat with the other side.

10) Fold the collar piece as you would do for a bias tape.

11) Place the 'bias collar' at point N and sew along to the other side.

Sewing the collar

12) Insert a piece of tie string* at the open end of the collar piece.  Sew in place and to close the open end collar piece.  Repeat at the other side.

13) Rip apart the seam at 3 -5 cm underneat the sleeve of the right side of the body piece.  The hole should be just enough to insert a tie string through.  Pin in place. 

14) Turning the body piece inside out, sew to close up the hole.  This will also sew the tie string in place.  It should be noted that you should overlap some of the original stitching so that it will not open up in later days as it is an open end since you have ripped the seams apart earlier.

15)  Place a tie string at the open seam of the body piece, 3 - 5 cm underneath the left sleeve.  Sew to hold it in place.

16) Fold up 1cm at the end of the body piece and sew the hem.




Note :  The tie string should be at the outside of the garment in Step 14 whereas it should be inside the garment in Step 15.  The tie string is sewn with the same method as the collar. 

Showing the locations of the tie strings

The top of the child yukata is now done!

Always remember that the yukata is worn with the left side over the right side!