Raise your hands if you’re ready for spring!
This is the time of year that I spend the majority of my day wrapped up in a robe, at least those days when I’m hanging around the house. My old fleece robe has truly served me well during these trying times, but its really starting to look its age (nearly a decade, I have recently realized!). I wanted to upgrade to something that was a little classier than the ugly fleece – something that wouldn’t make me feel quite so embarrassed to run to the mailbox in. I know, I live in the middle of nowhere – but the moment you run to the mailbox in your robe, that’s the moment someone you know decides to cruise on by.
Since more fleece was out of the question, I went with a soft cotton plaid flannel from Mood Fabrics. Mood has tons of great cotton flannels on their site, but I picked this particular one because it kind of matches my plaid flannel Carolyn pajamas. It’s a thinner plaid, with one brushed side (the other side is smooth, which I used on the inside of the robe). My only complaint is that it’s quite a bit off-grain – which, combined with using a pattern that was decidedly NOT plaid-matching-friendly, meant that I really fucked up the plaid matching on this garment. Or, rather, just threw my hands in the air and gave up about halfway through cutting. I did manage to get the center back and sleeves to have a nice continuous line, but those side seams are all kinds of wrecked. Whatever. Sometimes in sewing, we have to pick our battles. I’m not going to argue with a garment that will get the majority of it’s judgement from my cat.
The pattern I used is Simplicity 1799, a 1940s vintage pattern I’ve had my stash for quite some time. I don’t really sew much with vintage patterns these days – I find the styles to be a little too cutesy and/or dated for how I roll with my clothes lately – but I still collect and appreciate them. And sometimes, you need a little cutesy glamour to make your day prettier, especially when we’re talking about an otherwise ugly robe. Look at how classy those ladies are!
One thing I really love about vintage patterns are all the beautiful details that they include in the design. This pattern has tucks and gathers all over the places, elbow darts, and a boxy 1940s upper silhouette paired with strong shoulders. The instructions are pretty sparse as you can see, but anyone with common sewing sense can easily figure them out. I mostly went my own way – finished all the seams with my serger, left out the shoulder pads, and gave nice 2″ hems on the sleeves and bottom.
It’s really hard to see the pretty details in this, thanks to the plaid clusterfuck I’ve got going on, but I’ll try to show you some highlights:
Not much else to say about this one! Keepin’ it simple and cozy this month!
Note: This fabric was provided to me as part of my participation in the Mood Sewing Network. All declarations and opinions are my own!
LLADYBIRD 
Wauw!
😀
I have some blue silk charmeuse, waiting for a robe, such as this. I had to COOLEST robe/dress from the 1940’s during my heyday of the 80’s. I loved it so much and this pattern is the closest I’ve seen. Never go wrong with classic style, my own favorite style icon is Katherine Hepburn…. Sometimes those stripes and plaids don’t want to behave or play nice. Your robe is FABULOUS!! Now quick, run out to the mailbox, pretend the path is the runway in NYC….. 🙂
Ohhh, this style would look AMAZING in silk charmeuse! Ugh so luxurious!!
awesome! Looks soo cozy 🙂
Thank you!
This looks lovely. Does anyone (you or your readers) know if this might be available on ebay or Etsy? Love the way the robe accents the waist. As you know, most contemporary patterns or ready-to-year are so baggy. Yes, and I do know about the living out in the country concern. Just at that moment, someone drives on to the yard or passes by to see you in your tatty robe!
I’ve seen them pop up on Etsy and eBay from time to time, so I reckon if you set an auto search you could probably get one of your own – or something similar from the 40s/50s. Man, they sure knew how to do loungewear back then!
That’s quite a flattering robe! I thought it was a coat at first glance. I also thought you did a great job of the pattern matching
…shows how much I know!
ha! It does kind of look like a coat if you’re not paying too close attention 🙂
Cool robe 🙂
Thank you!
Such a nice pattern – I really like how it nips in at the waist instead of a mass of bunched up random unflattering gathers. The fabric is so busy you easily overlook the unmatched areas – just keep moving!!
Yeah, I figure the mismatch is forgivable since there’s sooo much volume. Next time, I’ll stick with solid colors 🙂
Bloody awesome! You don’t notice any plaid mis-matches and you’re right it’s only your cat and the mail-person who might see – and they won’t be bothered about plaid-matching!!
Exactly! 🙂
Such a gorgeous, classy pattern — and the resulting robe is well worth the time (and frustration)! I can definitely see this as a coat. Nothing like those styles from the 40’s and you’ve rocked this one!
(Cats are rather judgemental, yes, but I’m sure yours will be most impressed with the soft, cuddly-ness factor 🙂 .)
Man, this style would make a pretty awesome coat! And yeah, my cat loves the robe – it’s all about the snuggle-factor for her, and this one ranks pretty high!
It looks lovely! It just makes sense to make the time to make things like a rope yourself. You will probably wear them every day, so time well spent 🙂
Yes! I am all about making things that are useful and can be worn frequently, even if the subject matter isn’t necessarily as exciting as a fancy dress 🙂
My first reaction was “oh dear… does she realise that her coat looks like a dressing gown(what we call robes!)” Then I realised my mistake! Love, love love it- this is one of the things going on my long list of sewing for myself.
Ha! Well I guess it’s a good thing that it looks like what it’s intended to 🙂
I think it’s funny that you think your cat gives a shit. 🙂
I think you make a valid point here 😛 hahaha
The robe is not nearly as bad as you feel it is. I looked at the photos and thought it quite lovely before I read your description. I too, want prints and plaids to match and recently gave someone a shirt I made for him and noticed after made that I could have been a bit more clever about pattern matching at the center front (horizontal lines match, but I should have been able to overlap the center so that the large 12″ motif on a black background was seamless. However, had I done that the motif would have been awkward as it ran down from the shoulders too close to the armholes; besides the front overlap turned out to be interesting.
As I like to say about errors when making my flannel pj’s, They are pajamas for peets sake. Practice your skills, but in the end you are going to sleep in them, lounge in them, and probably wipe your hands on them.
Damn straight! I am all about doing the very best of my abilities when I’m making something, but I don’t want to stress over small details on something that rarely leaves the house. Finding a balance is key 🙂
When I saw this in my feed I thought you’d made a gorgeous vintage dress. So I’d say you’ve definitely achieved a classy look for your trips to the mailbox! The plaid looks great!
Ha! Achievement unlocked then, woohoo! 😀
It’s definitely not a clusterfuck! I love it and no one will ever know the seams aren’t matched perfectly and who gives a shit what they think anyway! Lovely, professional job as always, you can’t go wrong with 40’s glamour. I wish Mood had a store in Australia. Spotlight has a huge selection but half of that are really unattractive prints, I’d love to know who buys for them! I know Mood will post to us but it’s not really worth paying the postage. Now I’ll contradict myself because I did buy a lovely cotton plaid for making a shirt and it was AUD$8 metre!!!!! (US $6). Enjoy your stylish gown xx
Oh yeah, I totally feel ya on the postage. I always want stuff from Australia but WOOF ain’t paying those shipping rates hahaha! But that is awesome that you got shirting for so cheap! Jealous!
I think this is a hilarious, classy robe 😀
You know those movies when the old Sir sits next to the fireplace with a pipe and a book and he is dressed in a tartan-like robe?
This robe exactly has the same vibe! 🙂 Be proud! You can also smoke a cigar / pipe with a book in front of the fireplace in this robe 😉 And your cat will be damn satisfied with the look, haha.
YES THIS IS EXACTLY THE LOOK I WAS GOING FOR. WIN FOR ME!! hahahahaha
Love it. I have fabric in my stash to make one. Just need a pattern. This reminded me to get on to that!
Do it! i can’t tell you how good it feels to laze around and know that you still look classy as fuck, ha! 🙂
This is beautiful. One time Fran Drescher wore a wicked chenille robe on The Nanny. I still think about it. This pattern and an old bedspread might do the trick!
Ooh, that would be awesome!
No shoulder pads in your bathrobe? Shame on you! 😉
Ha, how did I know you were gonna call me out on that 🙂 Cathy would be ashamed of me! 🙂
Nice job and looks so cozy.
Thank you!
You hit the nail on the head with this one, this is another case where vintage is really perfect. Today’s flannel robes make women look like an a attractive slobe ( sorry but it’s true and I include myself as I have one of those) Brilliant idea going vintage! I’m sold from now on my robes shall be vintage. You look great! One question, why did you make the sleeves so long? Anyways beautiful excellent idea!
Thank you! The sleeves are a little extra long in case they shrink when I wash the robe 🙂 Even with multiple prewashes on hot, I always get a little shrinkage in flannel so I just make everything long to compensate 🙂
This is one classy bathrobe – love it!
Thank you! 😀
Gorgeous! And by the way – both hands up for spring. We got 20 inches of snow in a dump last week, and another 5 inches in a dump last night. Boo.
Ouch! Ok, I won’t complain about the cold here then… it is nowhere near 25″ of snow cold! I hope the weather warms up fast where you are!!