PETIT JAPON

How to Press Kimono

There is an art to correctly ironing a kimono. Many people prefer to send it out to be ironed, because it is difficult to iron a crease-free kimono. However, when you find you absolutely have to have that kimono ironed now to wear tonight, there is no time to send a kimono out to be laundered, you have to know how to do it yourself.

Things you will need

Kimono
Hanger
Ilon
Iloning board
Distilled water

Steps

1. Start with a freshly laundered / dry cleaned kimono. When your kimono comes out of dry cleaning or a wardrobe, shake it out, smooth it with your hands and hang it on a normal hanger.

2. Allow your iron to reach the proper temperature. A kimono (particularly silk) that is wrinkle-free takes a cooler setting than the hot setting for cotton. Be careful not to burn the kimono. See manufacturer's settings before ironing.

3. Put a piece of cotton on a kimono with crease as a photo on the right hand side to prevent coming off any patterns from this kimono. Lay this kimono on the ironing board and press gently.

4. Press the yoke, shoulders and sleeves. If your ironing board does not have a small board to insert into the sleeves, then put the sleeve on top of the ironing board, both sides together flat, and iron. Remember to put a piece of cotton before ironing. Turn the kimono to iron the backside. Reposition for the opposite shoulder. Then turn the kimono, and do the rear side of the yoke, shoulders and sleeves.

5. Lay one sleeve out flat on the ironing board. Align the sleeve following the bottom seam as guide. Press carefully, moving both layers of fabric flat as the iron glides across front surface of sleeve. Repeat for the other sleeve. Turn the kimono to do the other side of sleeve.

6. Position the body of the kimono on the square end of your ironing board, button panel first. Press from the bottom tail progressing upward to the collar. Do not allow puckers or folds to press into fabric.

7. Move the kimono position to the next body panel, half of the back. Press from the tail progressing upward to the collar.

8. Move the kimono position to next body panel, the other half of the back. Press as before.

9. Move kimono position to the last body panel, other half of the front. Press as before.

10. Return pressed kimono to hanger.

Tips

Silk content kimono press best and take a middle temperature setting.
If you have a steam iron, use distilled water purchased at any grocery store or a general shop. It will prevent clogging from the build-up of minerals.
To find out if the iron is hot, put your fingers in water, and flick it on the iron. If it sizzles, you know the iron is ready and hot.

Warning

Air freshener is not a substitute for spray sizing.
Remember to unplug your iron when finished, stand it on the top of the stove to cool off, and store out of reach of children.