
Now I will fess up, when I first imagined this in my head, I was sipping a cocktail on the deck of a cruise ship. Something about the print, and drape , the whole “kimonoesqueness” screamed resort wear (not that I’ve ever actually brought resort wear, but if I was going to I imagine it looks like this…?). Anyway, as per usual I left it far to late before we we were off to the airport to actually finish my lovely holiday outfit.

The pattern in question, Simplicity 1318, has a couple of variations, I went with View B, a high low jacket (flattering at the front with good butt coverage from the rear, nice…) with longer sleeves and supposedly a contrast band. I ignored the contrast option, and pattern matching was approached with my usual “hope for the best” attitude (to be fair, that’s a pretty but quite busy fabric, who expect my Mum would actually notice the lack of match??)

The fabric is a rayon from Spotlight , happily purchased on sale and just waiting for the right project. If you have been reading PK for a while now you will notice how much rayon I buy….and how much I complain about sewing slippery rayon. I know, I have no idea why I do it to myself either.
Anyway, I finished sewing this last weekend, its a very quick sew (even a relative newbie could make this in a day no problem, complete with time for lunch/doing the laundry/having a moan about what a pain rayon is to sew). I did take a wee shortcut by ignoring the instructions to hand stitch the band to the inner, instead preferring to top stitch. I love me some top stitching!
After I finished sewing I hung my new jacket on Diana & spent several days wondering “is this something I would actually wear?”

It seemed very bold, like something that’s a grand idea on holiday, not so brilliant back in the cold , not much light of day (I put Retsina, location tee shirts & Egyptian rings with your name spelled in hieroglyphics into that category also…)*
But after some fun playing around with bits & bobs in my wardrobe, I realized not only was my wee kimono jacket just fine for a sea deck, it would work very well for more mundane activities back in the real world!

Perfect with jeans & sandals for brunch with pals, or gussied up with heels and nice pants for dinner, versatile much?

While I’m still a bit grumpy with myself for not getting it made up before my trip, I’m so glad I bothered after, its super comfy to wear, and as my girlfriend so helpfully pointed out “the high low hem stops it looking like you’ve just forgotten to take your bathrobe off”…so true.
In lieu of any pic’s of me actually wearing this on our cruise, I thought I’d share a few images of the trip anyway, we spent a lovely 10 nights cruising from Southampton to Copenhagen on-board the Marina, and I’ll admit I was sad to get off (despite missing my cats & my sewing room!)

So much to do , besides all the fabulous shore adventures, on board can be just as busy. I do love a quiz & we went to a few , (Hi Patty & the rest to the Fryday team!), a library on board, lectures, music, games (the Marina Open Paddle Tennis was declared a tie with Mr D & I tied at 4 sets all before high winds & Happy Hour stopped play…), fabulous people watching, but best off all, on this cruise line at least, really excellent food & drink. And only unpacking once. Seriously, whats not to love?

My favorite thing? The balcony, how can you beat waking up to this (just remember to have more than your knickers & bra on when you pull the curtains heh?)

I also wanted to share this fab Bill Skinner necklace I picked up in Bath shopping with my dear pal Tiffany, she brought me the bee necklace I’m wearing with jeans in the top picture. We went back to the shop when we were staying & the first thing I picked up was this cat playing with a ball of wool….crazy cat lady from way back kids! She immediately started laughing as that was the necklace she had picked out with bees & had to decide which to buy!

I’ll leave you with my favorite pic of the trip, my dear husband beer tasting in Antwerp, having a great time despite the airline losing his suitcase & his wife making him carry her bag #keeper

Have a lovely week , thoughts & prayers to all those, human & animal, suffering Irma’s wrath, I hope you find safety, refuge and kindness xxx
Kristina xxx
*I have brought all of those things on hols….sigh.
It’s lovely! I’ve been trying to decide between this kimono pattern and the Sew Over It one, I think you may have just sold me on this one.
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Thanks Teresa, I saw the Sew Over It one after I had already brought this pattern, really happy with how it came out, good luck with yours:)
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Great jacket. I think it looks fabulous and it will suit being dressed up or down. You have inspired me to make this jacket.
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That’s fantastic, good luck with it!
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This is so cute and versatile. Also love the cat necklace, and it sounds like your husband is definitely a keeper!
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Ha ha, thanks Rhonda, yes he is!:)
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Dear Plum (for that is how I name you when reading your blog!) I love the pics of your cruise, that ‘cabin’ is beautiful, and the beautiful necklace that is so ‘you’. You are rocking that kimono look!
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Aww that’s so kind Mary, thank you! 🙂 Building up the courage to attempt a proper muslin from the dress pattern I made…:) Hope your sewing is going well, I haven’t touched my pants muslin at all! 🙂
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I love the ways you have styled your kimono and am thinking I may try a rayon one this fall. Your cruise looks wonderful! I may put that on my bucket list!
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Thank you, yes, despite the pain that is sewing rayon, its worth it 🙂 It is a lovely holiday!!
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THe ‘hem height < bathrobe' logic is perfect. I love the print, so more of it (not a contrast band) makes perfect sense to me.
When I sewed a lot of rayon, it wasn't hard to sew a lot of it. Having worked exclusively in the 'playclothes' end of things (endless pants, sundresses, pajamas: lots of cotton) for a few decades, returning to rayon was a HORRID experience and I take back all the snarky things I ever thought about anyone for complaining about it. It's alive!
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Ha ha, I love it, it really is alive yes!!!!! Thank you, I’m really pleased with it, despite my trials!:)
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Oh how I wished you had completed this in time for your cruise—I would have liked you EVEN MORE! Hope all is well! Thanks for the shout out and right back at you! Patty
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Ha ha, thanks Patty! 🙂
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Hi Kristina,
I have just discovered your blog and am having lots of fun reading through all your posts. I am not a cat person (I have a dog) but apart from that I think I found a soul mate 🙂 Chardonnay – check! Cakes – check! Accountant – that’s me. And I love your style and your sense of humor! I am quite new to sewing so I am absorbing everything I can find on the internet. But your posts are a special treat. Love your jacket! I can see how it could be handy on a cruise (just went on one myself) but I am sure you will be using it a lot in “real” life too.
Looking forward to the next post. Warm regards from coolish Canada!
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Hi Inna, what a lovely message, thank you so much! I love writing as well as sewing so it’s fab to hear from people enjoying my ramblings!:) But then your choice in careers,wine & baked goods does indicate excellent taste…😉
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