Spa Robe
Monday, February 26 2018
I'm not the sort of woman who swans around the house in an elegant wrap like some sort of 1940's movie star. No. I'm much more the Practical Robe sort. I need something put on after my shower. Something to keep me covered and warm as I brush my teeth and dry my hair. (or feed the dog and let him in & out, as he inevitably needs just as soon as I'm naked and wet).
Sourcing just the right fabric for my spa robe was much easier than I expected. I wanted an absorbent terry cloth that was thick and durable. Something I could wash and dry often, but would still last many years. My search started, and ended, at Organic Cotton Plus. When Organic Cotton Plus learned about my spa robe project, and my intention to use the 16oz Terry Cloth from their shop, they made the incredibly generous offer to donate 3 yards of that fabric to me for the garment.
Creating My Spa Robe
As you would expect, construction of my Lahja Dressing Gown was pretty straight forward. I measured myself and the pattern before deciding on which size to sew. I cut the cropped sleeve but my arms are so short, they hit on my hands like long sleeves. I decided to leave them that way, knowing I could always roll them up if I needed them to be shorter. I also decided not to shorten the length, even though at 5ft, I am significantly shorter than the drafted pattern. This means the woman's "above the knee" hem hits me at the top of my calf. I don't mind at all because I have a teenage boy and the longer length means I can bend over and still maintain my modesty.
If you also choose a natural fiber when you make your Lahja Dressing Gown (or really, for any pattern), keep in mind that there will be shrinkage. Some organic cotton can shrink more than 10% when it's washed and dried. Make sure you pre treat your fabric, as you plan to care for the finished garment, before you cut. I had an approximate 5% shrinkage in my 3 yard length after washing in cold water and drying 3x.
I used my regular machine and my walking foot to stitch this robe, only using my overlocker to finish the seams and prevent shedding of the loops. My Brother 1040d is a wuss. If it won't slice through 2 layers of denim, there's no way it was cutting through the pile on terry cloth. After washing and drying, the fabric was soft and fluffy and nearly 1/4 inch thick!
In some places, like on the collar where I was supposed to stitch in the ditch to finish the inside, I decided to hand stitch, rather than try to shove all the layers though my machine. This resulted in an unexpected bonus: an absolutely beautiful roll on the collar edge.
A big pet peeve I have about mass produced robes is probably something you never even thought about: placement of the patch pockets. It makes me totally crazy that when I have my robe on, the wrap front covers one of the pockets. In my Me-Made version, I am able to customize this smallest of details. I have positioned the pockets all the way over, aligned to the side seam. When my robe is on, the pockets are not covered. I also placed them higher, so that my short little arms can still reach inside.
3. Subtle Details
As I mentioned previously, this terry cloth is thick! Too thick for details such as belt loops and tie belts. Fortunately, I found some scraps of washed silk dupioni in my stash in a Not Quite White color. The smoothness and sheen are a lovely contrast to the nubby texture of the terry cloth.
My Finished Spa Robe
What do you think? Have I achieved my goal of a luxurious yet sensible spa bathrobe?
YOU BET I HAVE! I love this robe. I wear it daily.
It fits me wonderfully. My wrap front stays wrapped. It is long and over sized, without being overwhelming.
The fabric is thick and plush and heavy. It does not shed loops.
You know how when you buy new towels, they always feel so soft, then when you try to dry off all the water just gets pushed around, and the towel doesn't really absorb anything? This organic terry cloth is NOTHING like that!
My spa bathrobe is really an elegant wearable towel, which is exactly what I wanted!
9 Comments:
Same day shipping for most orders
Questions? Call us toll-free at: 1-855-SEW-PURE
Where Did you get pattern
Beautiful!!!
I want to know about the embroidery pattern on the sleeve edge and the top of the pockets. It’s beautiful. Where did you get it?
I love Named patterns and I’ve been debating whether to buy the Lahja Dressing Gown pattern, but this convinced me – thanks! And I’ll probably need to get this terry as well! :)
Love the robe but where can you get the pattern ? Please let me know.thankd
It’s gorgeous! Is the embellishment lace or embroidery? It looks like the lace they sell at Organic Cotton Plus. Just beautiful work. I love it!
Absolutely gorgeous!
I found the Lahja Dressing Gown pattern (unisex) here:
https://oliverands.com/shop/digital-lahja-unisex-dressing-gown-sewing-pattern.html
Thank you for sharing all these details. What a lovely robe!