Behold – I’ve done more pattern testing with a woven! Here I’ve used a Fabricland rayon challis to sew up the new Suki Robe pattern by Helen’s Closet, and I love it.
The pattern has some really nice details that make it a skill-builder for beginners and a nice rewarding sew for intermediates. In-seam pockets mean you always have a place to put stuff, and the fixed waist-tie and belt loops mean the belt stays in place. Inside there is a hanging loop and little ties to keep the front closed. The sleeve hem-band, inset neckband and ties are perfect for contrast fabric.
I chose to sew View B, which is the shorter of two views, then further shortened it 1″ with a petite adjustment. I don’t think short people *need* to shorten it, but I do like the way it kept the bodice and sleeves trim and not too baggy! I sewed the largest size, XXL, and it fits nicely. Technically my bust fits the size down, but for a pattern like this, grading between sizes isn’t needed.
I used to think rayon challis was a real beast to sew with, but I’m starting to like it! The shapes in this pattern are so boxy that I didn’t find pieces stretched out of shape. The challis irons beautifully, and was very forgiving around the tricky inset neckband. (My top tips there are interface the right angle corner, baste, press, and only then do your final pass of stitching!) Now that my robe is finished, I love how it feels and drapes – and it doesn’t wrinkle nearly as badly as I feared!
I’ve literally worn this ever day since making it! I’m on vacation, so I wear pyjamas rather a lot of the time. I’m seriously eying some challis I bought to make a Charlie Caftan and thinking, “I’d wear a caftan once a month, but I’d wear a robe daily… Hmmm…” We’ll see what happens next!
I think this pattern will be wonderful for gift-making… a robe doesn’t have to fit very precisely, and it’s a pampering gift to receive. The sewing is more time-consuming than a t-shirt, for example, but easier than jeans!
So, ‘fess up: Is your bathrobe/dressing gown old and ratty? (My winter one is 6 years old and made with pink polkadot fleece, and I’ve never had a summer one before.) Have you ever made yourself a dressing gown? Is it time to treat yourself?
Crafting A Rainbow 
Remembering fondly our winters kimonos which we wore all day at the hotel in Noboribetsu !
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That was such a great vacation!
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Gorgeous robe Gillian! I don’t wear a robe but a woman in our sewing group made herself the most beautiful silk one (birds of paradise comes to mind) and I thought, “I WANT ONE OF THOSE” but I never did get to it. She said there was nothing like getting up in the morning to make her first coffee and throwing on this robe – the silk sliding over her warm from sleep skin. Nothing like it. We all salivated 🙂
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Oooh, that sounds so decadent and lovely to wear!
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It manages to walk the line between practical, elegant and comfortable! I love the fabric you used. I just NEVER wear robes (or night gowns). I like to have my legs and feet covered. But this is a great little pattern!
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I wear pyjamas all day if I’m not leaving the house (hello, summer vacation!) so putting on a robe is the perfect halfway between clothes and pyjamas! 🙂
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I completely forgot that you sewed this pattern (even though I commented?!) That’s how freakin’ out of it I was for all of 2017?!?!? I want to reiterate that it looks terrific. Very lovely pattern. I should pay more attention to Helen’s Closet patterns. I mean, now that I’m getting on the Love to Sew bandwagon it seems inevitable!
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Gillian, your robe is lovely!
And yes, my bathrobe is ratty and embarrassing. So funny that I’ve been intent on sewing my kimono for outerwear when I actually need a new bathrobe. It’s all good….I’ve got a great pattern and I can sew up a cozy indoor one pretty quickly.
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I love your Suki Kimono too!
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I love ❤️ this robe, I’m making shorts out of this fabric right now- I almost wish I had saved it for a robe- maybe I’ll have to go back for more!
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You could have matching pjs and robe!!!!!
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This is so pretty! I made a Liberty lawn dressing gown when I was pregnant and that’s my “summer dressing gown”. My winter one is a man’s towelling dressing gown in navy, that I think I got when at Uni (so that would be over 20 years ago). It has a hole in the sleeve where my mum’s iron blew a fuse and burnt it. 😱 Might be time for a new one.
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Awww, sounds like your terry robe has lots of memories! May just be time to treat yourself to a new one though! 😉
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Beautiful looking robe! I like the idea of making them for gifts. Winter holidays will be here soon enough and these would be perfect for my Aunts. Also, it’s a good reason to justify a new pattern that I can also use for myself. Now for the fabric….
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Gotta love justifying new pattern purchases! 😉
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I’ve just bought this pattern. I actually very rarely wear robes but I think this one might solve some of my issues with the ones I’ve tried in the past. It looks perfect for wafting around the house in summer… or maybe dripping sweatily around when you can’t bear to wear too much clothing. It’s cold here now so I think I’m trying to escape reality by planning summer makes! 😛
Yours looks great. I love that it’s roomy but not a big boxy sack. Lovely!
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I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! 🙂
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I made a robe years ago (high school or college…) out of some cheap poly satin and was not impressed because it wouldn’t stay closed. I just bought this pattern and I’m looking forward to trying it out!
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I hope you enjoy the pattern! Have you picked a fabric yet?
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Not yet. I’m thinking either a linen/viscose blend or a double gauze. (Or both…)
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I love this robe! I don’t own any kind of dressing gown but I am sorely tempted now that I have seen yours. So much more classy than pj bottoms with a worn out elastic.
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Hahaha! I think we all have far too many worn out pyjamas that still get worn!
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Looks fabulous on you! Both my dressing gowns (summer and winter) are old RTW, but still in good condition so difficult to justify replacing them just now. Maybe I need to be more careless with them to wear them out quickly!
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Hahaha – that’s how I feel about my hot-pink-polka-dot fleece winter robe – it’s gonna last forever, but I’d like a new one!
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I love how this robe looks in this fabric. I absolutely need something like this in my life – I have a heavy winter version but tbh this summer I’m overheating in it after one cup of tea in the mornings! Thanks for the review – I can compare this to the pattern I already have and work out which one to try out.
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Whatever pattern you chose, i hope you end up with a cute robe, ’cause I’m so enjoying mine! 🙂
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What a pretty robe! I do like wearing robes, since I get cold easily. My fluffy winter one is still in pretty good condition. Summer is another story– I have a polyester one that I was given before my wedding that’s getting shredded at the seams, and a maternity one I was given that’s comfy, but boring grey jersey and no pockets. (Seriously, I keep meaning to add a patch pocket and not getting to it.) I’ve been thinking that my pajama drawer needs an overhaul anyway, since most of it is either worn out or doesn’t fit anymore, so I may have to add this to my list!
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A jersey robe sounds very comfy! But come on, sew that pocket on! 😉
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It looks lovely! So elegant and chic.
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What a beautiful robe. The fit is spot-on and the fabric is absolutely gorgeous. I am ashamed to say that I don’t even have a robe and have to pull on my ratty old trackies and T to be at least modest and not frightening the horses when tootling about in the mornings. I was just thinking about buying one, now I am going to go have a rummage to see if I can find anything suitable in my stash since I am home for the weekend. Xx
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Your robe looks amazing – I’m glad you’re enjoying it! I’ve got an old chenille microfleece robe from Costco that gets too warm way too quickly. Same with a super thick flannel robe I made years ago, my apartment stays way to warm to comfortably wear them too long. I really need to get around to making a summer weight one and this looks like a great option. Or maybe I’ll make a Charlie caftan and feel like I’m wearing “real clothes…”
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