Date: 11/3/09 8:42 AM

I am looking for help in determining what kind of fabric I should use for a gift of a summer robe. My BF want a robe for the cottage, to throw on in the middle of the night for bathroom runs. I was going to do silk, but that is high maintenance. What about cotton and what kind would you suggest and do you have any good sources. I was planning on a kimono type robe.

Thanks!

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Reply to stretch queen
Date: 11/3/09 8:59 AM

seersucker, cotton shirting ,waffle weave. Silk will be too warm for a summer robe and may cling a bit. it also shows sweat more than a cotton.

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sarah in nyc
www.sewnewyork.blogspot.com

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Reply to sarah in nyc
Date: 11/3/09 9:01 AM

I agree, Sarah. Seersucker would be perfect for a summer robe. That was my first thought.

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Michelle

http://cheapandpicky.blogspot.com/

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Date: 11/3/09 10:15 AM

I once made one out of a cotton sateen sheet. I make this style for my mom in different weights for summer and winter, and it normally takes around 4 yards off 45" fabric, so using the sheet worked out well.

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My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.

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Date: 11/3/09 10:16 AM

Does anyone know where to find waffle weave?

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Reply to clt3
Date: 11/3/09 10:33 AM

Quote:

Does anyone know where to find waffle weave?

Sorry, I don't know where you can find it in Ohio or on line, but in Ontario (where stretch queen is from), I seem to recall seeing it at Fabricland.

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When we dismiss or deny the hopes of others, we forget that they, like us, have only one chance in this life. ~Alexander McCall Smith (speaking via Mma Ramotswe in Tea Time for the Traditionally Built, book 10 of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series)
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Current image: Woman Sewing, Caroline Augusta Lord, c. late 1890's, oil on canvas; University of Cincinnati Fine Arts Collection

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Reply to stretch queen
Date: 11/3/09 11:17 AM

My favorite summer robe for many years now has been a short silk, uh-huh silk charmeuse kimono. I even put it into my suitcase for summer car trips rattling around France, where it gets pretty hot and humid, and the robe is so nice to slip into after a shower or in the middle of the night. It's extremely low maintenance, but then I machine wash and dry all my silks before sewing with them. A lot depends on the type of silk you choose, and charmeuse has a cool and slippery hand.

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Date: 11/3/09 12:13 PM

I imagine that Ontario is the same as MI or colder? I have worn a silk robe for YEARS as a summer robe and it was certainly not too warm. One or the robes is silk charmeuseand the other is raw silk.

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I've joined the "Fabric Fast" and pledged to buy 1 yard for every 4 yards sewn.
2009 Fabric purchased : 0
Fabric sewn: 0
Fabric given away: 0
Fabric remaining: I have no idea. An Awful Lot.

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Date: 11/3/09 5:31 PM

My summer robes are usually lightweight cotton knits, although my mom has one that's a breezy Madras plaid.

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~Gem in the prairie

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Date: 11/4/09 10:29 AM

Thanks everyone for weighing in. I was surprised to hear that silks can be washed. Maybe the muslin will be cotton and the second, silk :)

Sew much to do, sew little time.

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