I know you are here to read about the Ana Kimona by Endearing cloth but….Beyonce’s new film HOMECOMING has affected me far more than I thought it would. As a human, I am not one to lay much importance around celebrity. Which is a bit ironic as I’m an actress. HOMECOMING was not on my “must watch” list, or even my “will watch” list but my boyfriend recommended it so I flicked it on in the background.
Holy Crap. Beyonce takes up space in the world very unapologetically. I like it. Now I know why people are obsessed with her. She is a Queen. I’m a very apologetic person. I’m always concerned that I’ve offended someone or told a joke that wasn’t funny or that someone doesn’t like me. HOMECOMING made me not want to be that way anymore. Now, I know this is all probably really obvious to everyone else but, I feel like for the first time I understand what it might mean to take up all the space that I can. Don’t expect to see me charging down the street in leopard print jumpsuit anytime soon, but maybe I can branch slightly from the safety of black, white and grey.
Maybe dressing fierce and not caring if I’m ‘fashionable’ will make me feel as if there is a Sasha Fierce inside of me as well. What does this have to do with the Ana Kimona by Endearing Cloth? I decided to make Emily’s first pattern because I have been a huge fan of her blog ever since I discovered the online sewing community, and of course I wanted to support the makers that I admire. I made an extra long, duster-length version in a dusty blush viscose crepe. It turned out rather more dramatically than I was expecting. For weeks it hung in my dining room, drawing compliments from my friends, but I just didn’t feel confident enough to wear it out. This is where Queen B comes in. After watching HOMECOMING, I felt just confident enough, to slap on some heels and finally take my Ana Kimona out for a spin.
The pattern was very simple with super clear instructions and nothing to print as the pattern is essentially 2 big squares! Not wasting paper on simple pattern pieces was such a thoughtful choice by Emily the creator of Endearing Cloth. That being said, I found it quite difficult to cut perfectly symmetrical squares. I would recommend cutting them out on paper first. The rayon was quite challenging to work with for me and I think I should have done a little more research. Are you supposed to iron crepe? I loved swishing around in it all day and I adore how dramatic the length is. In all likelihood, I will hem it up a few inches as I rarely wear heels, but I certainly felt like a queen rocking it!
Project Details:
- Pattern: Ana Kimona by Endearing Cloth
- Designer- Emily Clark of Endearing Everyday
- Fabric: Viscose Crepe from Dressew
- Size: Pattern is One Size Fits All
- Difficulty: Brave Beginner
What I learned sewing Endearing Cloth’s Ana Kimona
- Rayon is challenging, and once it stretches it’s hard to figure out how to cut. Also maybe it needs to be laid flat to dry.
- I’m not very good with measurements and should definitely triple check.
Flowers for Emily 
Final Thoughts on the Ana Kimona
This pattern was super straight forward with great instructions. I think that perhaps I should have gone for something a bit smaller for my first attempt with sewing with rayon but oh well! I’ll be more prepared for next time. I think due to the lack of printed/paper pattern, I wouldn’t recommend this as a FIRST sewing project but I think it’s perfect for a third or fourth project.
