By Martha West
I’ve been seeing so many posts about people making robes during the pandemic.  I’m not a robe person but I started looking at robe-like patterns after seeing so much on social media.  I decided to make the Cambria Duster by Friday Pattern Co. because I could easily see it as a luscious robe OR a lightweight jacket. 

I have been operating under a number of self-induced sewing rules during the pandemic.  The most successful and satisfying has been one to use my stash and make do with what I already have.  So, I went up to the closet that has been storing a beautiful light blue wool crepe for 15 years.  I bought it to make a suit for work just before my department went business casual.  It has waited a long time for the right project and I was so certain that I had 5 yards of it that I didn’t even check before ordering the pattern.  Err, it turned out to be 2.5 yards.  In spite of 90 minutes of trying, I could not make it work for Cambria.  So, I located two different double knit fabrics that seemed to work together and decided to go for a slightly Boho look.  Sew News Magazine’s Aug/Sept 2020 issue has a gorgeous boho version of the Suki Robe by Helen’s Closet (a lovely and very popular pattern) so I thought it might work for my version.The sewing was challenging due to the very different stretch percentages of my gray cotton double-knit and the blue print polyester/nylon double-knit.  Particularly since the blue print fabric had 60% stretch on the straight grain…but only 40% on the cross grain.  Huh?  I wish I would have noticed that before cutting out!  I would have cut out on the cross grain instead.I used my walking foot to help tame the beast, particularly the front collar/facing where the two different fabrics were sewn together. It helped quite a bit but, I was a little concerned that it would still turn out too wonky to be wearable.  In the end, I was very surprised by how much I like the robe/duster and I have worn it as both loungewear and outerwear since the temperatures have become more fall-like.Overall, the robe was surprisingly easy to sew and quick!  I made some modifications:

• Shortened the robe by 3” (I’m 5’6”)

• Understitched the front of the robe as far as it was possible.  Definitely necessary due to my two different fabrics.

• Put a huge 2.5” hem in the sleeves because they were too long on me but I like the look of the large cuff folded back.

• I didn’t add extra width across the back as a broad back adjustment and I didn’t need it in my stretchy fabric, but I recommend taking care if you aren’t using a stretchy fabric.  I think the back is quite narrow…and I’ve never had to do a broad back adjustment on any pattern.

• Widened the sleeves by ¾”.  They are very narrow for a winter garment that you might put over a sweater.  If this were a lightweight summer duster, they’re probably fine but I was aiming for something cozy.We’re considering putting a robe class together at The Sewing Hive. 
  Please let us know if that’s something you are interested in by sending an email.