This is the most complex silk bomber jacket I have made to date. All 24 panels for the outer shell and lining are cut on the bias. This required much piecework for the exterior, since Japanese kimono fabrics are usually only 14 inches wide.

The vintage silk kimono that I deconstructed for the outer layer features one of my favorite Japanese patterns: large, overlapping, multi-petaled chrysanthemums rendered in positive and negative forms. For a resist-dyed, one-color pattern, it is incredibly dynamic.

I made the lining from a nagajuban, or under kimono, that I deconstructed. The hand painted scene visible on one of the back panels depicts books and poetry that lend good luck to the wearer. 

I singed the raw silk edges around the collar and hems with a candle flame to reduce fraying. Gentle hand washing is ok, and steam, but do not heat press, the silk to maintain a flexible drape.