We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — Free People, we love you, but your prices are sometimes too much for our wallets. (Check out all of our DIY copycats here!) We came across this Spell Jagger Kimono and were obsessed — the fringe and floral patterns are just perfect for summer. But with a $185 price tag — no thank you! We headed to our local fabric store and bought all the materials for about $75. (The knotted fringe was a huge part of the final price, so if you are looking to save on cost, go for a longer basic fringe.) Layer this kimono on top of a summer sundress and get ready to hit the town.
Materials + Tools:
— 40 x 80-inch rectangle of a light weight fabric
— 1 1/2 yards of fringe
— sewing machine
— fabric scissors
— sewing pins
— marking chalk
— measuring tape
Instructions:
1. Fold the rectangle in half to create a 40 x 40-inch square. With the fold at the top, measure and mark six inches from either side and 27 inches from the bottom. Cut on your marked lines.
2. Pin and sew the cut edges.
3. Cut up the center of the top layer of your garment until you reach the fold.
4. Fold the garment in half so the side seams match up and cut the bottom edge on a diagonal.
5. Hem the sleeves and opening of the garment.
6. Pin and sew the fringe on the bottom edge of the garment.
Fold the fabric in half (good sides facing inward) to create a 40 x 40-inch square. With the fold on the top, measure in six inches from the right- and left-hand sides and 27 inches up from the bottom. Mark these upside down L shapes with chalk and then cut out.
Pin the L edges in place and then sew.
Cut up the center of the top layer of the garment until you reach the fold.
Refold the piece so the seams line up. Cut the bottom edge on a diagonal to create a handkerchief edge.
Hem all raw edges of the garment — sleeves and front opening.
Pin the fringe to the bottom edge of the kimono. When you get to the point, fold the top edge of the fringe over to create a point.
Sew fringe in place.
Free People knock off FTW!
We took to the streets in our new kimono and favorite DIY sandals!
Show us your project by tagging us on Instagram + using the hashtag #iamcreative!
Your relationship with your finances is one of the most important relationships you'll ever have, and you can't avoid it. That said, for many of us, the pandemic only added to our financial stress. If you find yourself feeling frazzled, just remember that financial insecurity isn't a net-worth issue — it's a mindset issue. And, we happen to have plenty of advice on how to turn your money mindset around so you can take charge of your funds once and for all.
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