Reversible Shawl-Collar Bathrobe
A long women's wrap robe made of two complete layers, one in the main fabric and one in a contrasting fabric, so it can be worn either side out. It has a shawl collar cut in one with the fronts, a welt chest pocket, side-seam pockets and a two-tone tie belt.
When To Wear
- At home in the morning and evening, over pyjamas or a nightgown.
- After a bath or shower, tied at the waist with the belt.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: Loose, straight cut with a wrap front, drawn in at the waist by the tie belt.
Length: Below the knee.
Collar: Shawl collar cut in one with the fronts, joined by a centre back seam and set into the back neckline; the shoulder seams are stitched up to the corner and clipped there.
Sleeves: Set-in, with a lowered shoulder line, ending above the wrist; outer and inner sleeves are topstitched together at the hem and turned back as a contrast cuff.
Pockets: A single-welt chest pocket on the left front of the outer layer, with an interfaced welt topstitched close to the edge; in-seam pockets in the side seams.
Back: One piece cut on the fold in each layer, with no centre back seam.
Finishing: Front edges and collar topstitched after joining the layers; each layer has its own topstitched hem. The inner layer has no welt pocket.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. A single-welt pocket, in-seam pockets, a shawl collar cut in one with the fronts, and two full layers joined along the front edges and collar.
Fabric Recommendations
Dense silk or cotton fabrics for both layers, in two colours or prints.
Additional Supplies
- Contrasting fabric for the inner layer
- Fusible interfacing (welt and a strip about 4 cm wide over the pocket marking)
Cutter's Must
- From main fabric:
- Back - 1 piece on fold
- Side pocket - 2 pieces
- Chest pocket - 2 pieces
- Front - 2 pieces
- Belt - 1 piece
- Sleeve - 2 pieces
- From contrasting fabric:
- Back - 1 piece on fold
- Side pocket - 2 pieces
- Collar facing - 1 piece on fold
- Front - 2 pieces
- Belt - 1 piece
- Sleeve - 2 pieces
Sewing Instructions
- Fuse fusible interfacing to the facing piece. Stitch the facing along the short sides, turn right side out, and topstitch close to the edge. On the wrong side of the front, press a strip of interfacing about 4 cm wide over the pocket marking. Place the pocket facing and the upper pocket bag with the front right sides together, pin along the pocket opening marking, and stitch, ensuring that the longitudinal raw edges of the facing and pocket bag align with the center line of the pocket marking. Cut the front lengthwise between the stitching lines, and diagonally towards the ends of the stitching lines. Be careful not to damage the facing and pocket bags! Press the seam allowances open. Turn the facing and pocket bag through the slit to the wrong side and baste. On the wrong side of the front, place the lower pocket bag onto the facing, directing the pocket bag upwards, and from the right side, topstitch the facing into the attaching seam, catching the pocket bag. Press the pocket bag downwards. Turn the small triangles at the ends of the slit to the wrong side and stitch precisely from the ends of the upper stitching to the ends of the lower stitching. Trim the pocket bags, evening them out, and stitch together.
- Stitch the side seams, leaving the pocket openings unstitched. Pin the pocket bags from the wrong side to the seam allowances of the pocket opening, placing them right sides together, and stitch precisely along the marked side seam lines. Press the pocket bags towards the front and stitch them together.
- Stitch the shoulder seams up to the corner. Clip the seam allowance at the corners diagonally. Stitch the center seam on the collar pieces. Attach the collar to the neckline. Press the collar attaching seam allowances open.
- Stitch the sleeve seams. Set the sleeves into the armholes.
- Press the hem allowance to the wrong side, fold, and topstitch.
- Finish the inner of the robe in the same way as the outer, but without the welt pocket. Place the outer and inner parts of the robe right sides together and stitch along the front edges and collar. Turn the robe right side out. Align the collar attaching seams and topstitch into the seam. Topstitch the front edges and collar. Fold the sleeve hem allowance to the wrong side and press. Topstitch the sleeve hem, securing the outer and inner sleeve pieces.
- Stitch the belt pieces along the long sides and one short side, turn right side out, and press the folds. Turning in the open raw edge, stitch along the edges of the belt at a presser foot width.
