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Introducing the 136 Children's Kimono and Vests Pattern

November 14, 2025

We are really re-introducing this Folkwear pattern, which has been out of print for many years. 136 Children's Kimono & Vests pattern was first published in 1986, and we have brought back the original, along with some small improvements to the pattern (notches adjusted to fit better, etc.). So you can again make an heirloom-quality kimono with vests for the young people in your life. These are garments to make that can be passed down for generations.

Black and white illustration of two children in traditional Japanese attire with a fan and umbrella.

The 136 Children's Kimono has patterns and instructions for sewing a kimono with two sleeve views. There is a simple, smaller sleeve, and there is a longer, more formal sleeve option. The kimono is made much the same way as our 113 Japanese Kimono pattern. It is made with the traditional technique of using seam allowances for the size made. So the fabric is cut on the same lines for all sizes, but the fitting comes from where you make the seam lines. Smaller sizes have wide seam allowances, and larger sizes have smaller seam allowances. This also means that you can easily make the kimono larger as your child grows.

Young boy in the woods wearing a dark blue kimono with his arms out

The 136 Children's Kimono & Vests also includes a pattern and instructions for a quilted vest. The quilted vest is traditionally worn under the kimono for warmth and to provide shaping for the kimono. But we love how it looks over the kimono. And it makes a great vest to wear with any outfit! Comfortable, warm, and easy to play in. You can make the vest with pre-quilted fabric or by quilting your own fabric. The instructions tell you how to do either. The Vest is finished with bias binding, so you can add accents with different fabrics with the binding.

Young boy in the woods wearing a dark blue kimono and a grey quilted vest

Young girl wearing a grey and blue kimono and quilted vest

Girl wearing a plaid kimono-style garment against a white background

Finally, the pattern also includes instructions for a knitted vest for children. The knitted vest echoes the silhouette of the quilted vest, and uses an easy diamond stitch to give a three-dimensional look to the vest. And, the pattern includes information on tying an obi, as well as a short history of the kimono for children and a few embroidery designs.