christmas robes
February 15th, 2012
I wasn’t going to make my kids anything for christmas (what a horrible mother!) but then dammit, all my friends were making these beautiful robes for their kids. Basically I am 33 and was peer pressured into this sewing project.
Of course I’m glad I did sew them, because my kids look pretty adorable in their cozy flannel robes. The robe pattern came from Sewing For Boys, which I reviewed here. The pattern comes together very quickly. Leave off the pockets and you could have one finished in a few hours. Make your own fiddly pocket pattern with contrast piping and it will take you a lot longer.
There is one mistake in the book. You must connect the two front pattern pieces before you cut your fabric, but that important step is missing from the directions . I only realized this after I cut out all my pieces from the PLAID FABRIC! Oh, what’s that, you can’t tell? That is because I’m the master-plaid-matcher!
The fit of the robe is straight up old man robe. So sizes don’t matter all that much. I made the size 6/7 both for my 6 year old daughter and almost 5 year old son. The fit is great on both. For their 2 1/2 year old brother I made the 2/3 size, but I should have gone a size up. His robe did get a little shorter because of the plaid matching I had to do, but a bigger robe would have fit him better and for longer too.
A few other things I would do to the pattern if I make it again:
- shorten the sleeves a bit. They are meant to roll up, which is why they are so long, but they roll up a little too much for my taste.
- make the ties a least a foot longer. Makes it easier for little hands to tie (around those big bellies).
- lengthen the pattern a bit–especially for the smaller sizes.
A couple things I did right the first time:
- I made a hang-y up-y loop that I sewed inside each robe. It makes clean up time a tiny bit better.
- I skipped the belt loops and just sewed the tie to the back of the robe in one spot. That way the belt cannot be used as a leash or a jump rope or weapon.
- I read the fabric requirements. Each robe, each one, takes about 4 yards of fabric!
I love the robes! I think the piping on the pockets is a lovely detail!
Those are great! I especially like your thinking on the belt. we have one that gets used for all manner of rope projects…
lol. “That way the belt cannot be used as a leash or a jump rope or weapon.” These are things I never thought I would have to consider, and yet bathrobe ties and belts give me fits. These look gorgeous! This is one pattern I have been eyeballing and I’m glad to have read your suggestions prior to making these.
In attempt to gain some control over my craftbook habit, I requested our library to order this book. A long wait ensued. I finally got my hands on it & quickly realized I really wanted a copy for myself. It just arrived late last week & I am looking forward to sewing up some spiffy outfits for my little guy! You do have a spring kids clothes week, right?
These robes are adorable. I love the contrast of the different prints. So sweet.
xo
~Stephinie
It is a good one! And yes! KCWC Spring 2012 is happening sometime at the end of April/beginning of May.
I can’t wait to see what you make, Stephinine.
oh! these are great! I have the book, and have sewed quite a bit out of it, but haven’t made any robes yet. My girls (yes, I only have girls and bought a boys’ sewing book lol) would really dig having some new robes. Wow, 4 yards of fabric!
So cute!! I love the idea of old man robes for kids !! : ) : )
“That way the belt cannot be used as a leash or a jump rope or weapon.” Ha. So, so brilliant!
master plaid matcher! love them.
Love, love, love them. Very brave of you to make them in plaid, I particularly love the red one. No matter how cold, my kids would rather run naked than wear a robe. I sure hope they grow out of that.
“leash or a jump rope or weapon”…yep, that about sums it up in our house, too.
great job!
These are amazing!!!!
I have got to get this book! I keep seeing things made from it that I love. The robes are gorgeous. Thanks for the tips, too! I’ll definitely make a note of them when I get the book…hopefully for UK Mother’s Day :)
So cute! My daughter needs a new robe but I’ll have to sneak the pattern out of the book because no way would she wear one if she suspected it was really a boy’s item of clothing. Oh no! Boy germs! I did laugh about the uses for a belt because that’s what her pink fluffy velour robe belt gets used for too – a leash, a leading rein for ponies, hanger to tie a stuffed animal on to suspend from a bookcase so it’s flying, bridle (on me once), strap to tie a stuffed animal onto a pony (her), a stylish scarf, stuffed animal clothing – who knew they were so versatile? In fact, a fabric belt would be a perfect gift for any young child.
They are beautiful! I like this idea better than christmas pj’s. Love the plaid and they look so cosy.
These look so cozy. How deeply SATISFYING it must be to make things as a series of matching but unique items. Makes me envy!
My children pretend that all belts of the whole familys’ robes are snakes and then you don’t have the belt when you most need it. I’m proud that I also got the idea to fasten the belt in the back last summer when I made a robe for my daughter. One snake less.
So sweet and much more detailed than the one I made my two year old for Christmas. Although, truth me told, it’s not getting much wear in any event. :)
Ahh…I made that robe for my son recently and need to get cracking on my other son’s. I was really thrown by that bit about attaching the pattern pieces and wound up just piecing it together. I’m glad that I wasn’t the only one! Love the robe though, and love the three that you made.
“That way the belt cannot be used as a leash or a jump rope or weapon.” Or, perhaps worst of all, lost:) The robes are so cute!
Okay, skipping the loops and attaching the belt at the back?!? Brilliant!
They look gorgeous, great job! Thanks for sharing, I’m joining in the Sewing for Boys sew along and guess this will come up at some point, I’ll refer back to your post when the time comes.
What a lovely Christmas gift :) I love the plaid robes!
And they also look pretty cozy.
Hugh Heffner, eat your heart out!! fabulous!! ;o)
How cute! What a great personal gift! Something about having matching outfits is so fun as a kid! Some of my favorite Christmas memories are of the matching outfits my mom made for us, even if they were in a satiny gold!
Very nice and warm. I love the combo of polka dots and plaids.