If you are new to sewing, look into easy patterns with a simple belt around the waist. If you are more experienced, opt for intermediate to advanced patterns that feature buttons, special collars, or other intricate details.
Make a warm winter robe using fleece or flannel material, create a lightweight summer robe using cotton or satin, or sew a water absorbent robe using terry cloth. Your pattern will recommend a different amount of fabric depending on the width of the fabric. For example, you may need 2. 5 yards (2. 3 m) of fabric that is 45 inches (110 cm) wide or 2 yards (1. 8 m) of fabric that is 60 inches (150 cm) wide. A good way to anticipate how much fabric you’ll need for a robe is to imagine the body as a large rectangle (length being the height of the person and width being the measurement of the arms outstretched). Most fabrics come in widths of 45” or 60”, so you’d need twice the length of the height to have enough fabric for the front and back of a robe in most cases. Some robe patterns available on the Internet encourage you to use an old sheet as your robe fabric. This is a great way to repurpose a sheet and save money on fabric!
Embroider a monogram onto a robe for a personalized look, add decorative buttons down the front for a fancier closure, or sew trim onto the bottom of the robe for added interest. Patterns usually include a list of any embellishments that are required, so make sure to check your pattern before you start sewing.
To ensure that you cut out the right size for all pieces, you may want to trace along the size lines with a red pencil or highlighter before you cut them. [4] X Research source Most patterns will instruct you to cut out between 6 and 12 different pieces to sew your robe. Make sure that you cut out all of the required pieces!
For example, you may need to cut one or more of the pieces along the fold of your fabric to create a larger piece, such as for the back of the robe or sleeves. You may be able to cut out other pieces from any area of the fabric, such as for the robe’s front panels or sash.
Use pins with rounded ends so that they don’t go all the way through the fabric and get lost. [6] X Research source Your pattern instructions may indicate a different layout for fabric that is 45 inches (110 cm) wide versus fabric that is 60 inches (150 cm) wide. Be sure to use the correct map for your fabric’s width.
Do not cut any of the folded areas if the pattern has indicated that you should line the piece up with a fold. It is important to keep these larger pieces intact. Keep the pieces separated after cutting them. It is helpful to leave the pattern pieces pinned to them until you are ready to use each piece.
If there is an unfamiliar abbreviation or term, check the pattern for a glossary or explanation.
Some patterns will feature instructions for how to tack down the inner seams on your robe, but this is optional and not necessary, especially if you have chosen a comfortable robe fabric.
The straight stitch is usually the default setting or setting #1 on a sewing machine. Consult your sewing machine’s instruction manual if you are unsure about how to set the machine to the straight stitch setting. Although it will take much longer than using a sewing machine would, you can sew the robe by hand. Thread a needle with a 24 inches (61 cm) strand of thread and insert the threaded needle in and out of the 2 layers of fabric to create a straight stitch.
Notches are most common on the shoulder areas of sleeves to ensure a proper fit and seam alignment, but you may also find darts and notches in other areas of the pattern.
You can use a straight stitch or a zigzag stitch to secure the hem. To zigzag stitch, set your sewing machine to the zigzag stitch setting. Position the fabric under the presser foot so that the needle is about 0. 25 in (0. 64 cm) from the raw edge of the fabric. Then, apply pressure to the pedal and guide the fabric to keep it straight, which may be more difficult than with a straight stitch since the needle will be going back and forth. [12] X Research source Check your pattern for a stitch recommendation if you are unsure about the type to use.
