I had been thinking about sewing the Sakura dress by Ikatee for quite a while... With a Japan-inspired name like that, I could hardly resist!
On top of that, I could see huge customisation potential with cut-outs, trims, embroidery and piping.
In short, I wanted to make my own version!
I’ll show you my interpretation and, this time, you can also watch the whole process on YouTube!
Let’s go!
The pattern
Sakura is a women’s blouse and dress pattern.
The design has a bohemian style and a loose fit.
Two lengths are included: blouse or above-the-knee dress.
It also offers two sleeve lengths — short kimono sleeves or long sleeves — and two necklines, round or square.
There are lovely finishes with French seams and a lined yoke. As options, you can insert lace or piping into the seam lines.
Sakura is a structured piece with wide, kimono-inspired sleeves...
What appealed to me most was the generous shape of the blouse/dress, which is particularly pleasant in very hot weather, and of course all the customisation possibilities!
Practical information for sewing this pattern
Sakura is available as a printed pattern on our website.
The women’s version runs from size 32 to 52, and there is also a girls’ version from age 3 to 12! Perfect for matching looks or dressing the whole family.
Seam allowances are included.
The recommended sewing level for Sakura is intermediate, and I agree with the brand 😉.
In the sewing basket
Sakura is designed for woven fabrics.
You can sew it in:
- poplin or cotton voile
- broderie anglaise
- double gauze
- soft denim
- linen, washed linen or linen-viscose
- fine needlecord
- for a more fluid version, a lovely viscose
- ...
Complete your supplies with:
- fine fusible interfacing (80 x 6 cm)
- 4 buttons, 9 to 12 mm
- 150 to 160 cm of piping, ribbon or optional ladder insertion trim, depending on the size.
The lining pieces for the front and back yokes are intended to be cut from the main fabric, but of course you can use a different fabric. In that case you need 40 cm of the alternative fabric for a 140 cm width.
My supplies
On my last trip to Japan I brought back a gorgeous crinkled floral fabric 🤩 that was destined to become a Sakura. If you would like to see all the fabrics I brought home, I made a video that you can watch here.
I have already sewn two garments from that haul 💪🏻: one for this Sakura and one for my lovely Aënor dress by Sewing Soon, which I wrote about here.
I added H200 fusible interfacing, black cotton voile for the lining, black ladder insertion trim, black sewing thread, black overlocker cones and four buttons from my stash.
Technical points
Sakura is rated intermediate because it includes several interesting techniques:
- inserting a lining
- gathering the skirt
- making a button placket and buttonholes
- inserting piping, lace or ladder insertion trim
- sewing French seams
- sewing on buttons
- hemming.
And of course, you can always make the project more complex 😂 by adding sleeve cuffs, extra seam lines and trims...
My sewing experience
I chose size 34 for Sakura, which was the closest match to my measurements in the size chart.
I chose the dress version with short sleeves and a square neckline at the front.
I loved modifying Sakura and making my own interpretation of it. I really wanted to make the design my own by adding extra seam lines and trims.
I added them to the sleeves and the hem of the dress, and I do not regret it at all because I love those little details!
First seam with the trim
Inserting the trim
Attaching the lining and sewing the corner
I invite you to watch the YouTube video if you want to see all the construction details as well as the modifications I made. Don’t hesitate to subscribe to the YouTube channel so you don’t miss any of our sewing and creative-hobby adventures!
Would I make Sakura again?
Yes, because I can already see lots of other possibilities with piping, scalloped embroidered trims, extra seam lines...
Sakura definitely has not said its last word 😂
Find all Ikatee printed patterns, including Sakura, here.
Also discover our lovely Japanese fabrics, perfect to combine with Sakura, here.
Not sure you dare start? Why not come to a workshop with us? Our teachers will be delighted to guide you, whether you are taking your first steps or already have a more advanced level. Find our course programme here.
Now there’s nothing left but to get started!
To your needles!
I found a friendly troll who sews too 😉
