The Sewing Place

Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!

sewingj

Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
« on: April 01, 2018, 16:50:13 PM »
I`m currently making KwikSew 3644
https://www.sewessential.co.uk/misses-robes-kwik-sew-sewing-pattern-3644

I`m  making View B without the contrast or the piping as I just wanted something cheap and cheerful for the summer.  I thought it was going to be dead easy - but it isn`t.  And the main reason is that it only has 1/4 inch seam allowances which is making everything - even just assembling the pockets - very fiddly.  Fortunately I`m making it out of a stable poly-cotton - if I was using something that frayed easily I would be screaming by now.

Yes, I know I could have increased the allowances but I wasn`t on the ball enough to do that when I was cutting it out.  I will definitely do that if I ever make a posher version

The end is in sight, thank goodness

UttaRetch

Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
« Reply #1 on: April 01, 2018, 16:56:53 PM »
I would find 1/4" seam allowances extremely annoying too.  Looking forward to seeing how it all turns out.

Nevis5

Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
« Reply #2 on: April 01, 2018, 17:51:16 PM »
I sympathise!  About two years ago I made about three pairs of Kwik Sew pyjamas and nightshirts as my night wear was not fit for dusters.  Although the patterns worked out well, that pesky 1/4" seam allowance has been disastrous - I assume I wriggle around a lot at night and most of the seams have disintegrated  :angry:

Have made notes on the pattern covers and next time I will add to the seam allowances for extra security.  In the meantime I'm wearing glamorous holey nightwear :)

sewingj

Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
« Reply #3 on: April 01, 2018, 19:14:43 PM »
Do KwikSew  do it for all nightwear?
I appreciate things like dressing gowns don`t need wide seam allowances to get the fit right, but you still need enough to be able to work with. And pajamas definitely need to be able to withstand a bit of tossing and turning at night!

Lyn-J

Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2018, 19:40:30 PM »
the seam allowances might be geared up for those with overlockers. No need to give a full 5/8" if all you're going to do is trim it off.  :\ :S :'(
« Last Edit: April 01, 2018, 20:53:07 PM by Lyn-J »

UttaRetch

Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2018, 20:15:17 PM »
@Lyn-J: sounds as if you have had a disastrous encounter with an overlocker.

datcat23

Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
« Reply #6 on: April 01, 2018, 22:45:11 PM »
KwikSew are primarily meant for construction on an overlocker, so yes that would be why it has the 1/4in seam allowance.  I am glad I saw this topic.  My xmas gift for the ladies I work with, along with my sister, daughter and niece, will be a soft floaty cotton summer dressing gown, and I have a vintage KwikSew pattern for the job.  I must remember to add seam allowance. 
The barefoot seamstress:  smelling vaguely of lavender and mothballs, and desperately craving chocolate.
2024:  Mending:  2  | Fabric used:  2.5m | Items made:  1  |  Quilts:      |  Fabric destashed:  25m

sewingj

Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
« Reply #7 on: April 03, 2018, 13:36:05 PM »
Here`s the finished article.  It is fine for what I wanted and the fabric was only £2.99/m from Minerva.  I might make a posher version one day but have made a very large note to increase the seam allowances.  Also, the belt carriers are just sewn on - I did intend to insert them into the seam but then forgot and couldn`t face unpicking the seam again! 

    [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  

SkoutSews

Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
« Reply #8 on: April 03, 2018, 14:17:59 PM »
Very pretty! So light and cool-looking for the summer.

Sadly, the way the weather is here, I'll be using my big, fleecy dressing gown for the foreseeable future  :(

Nevis5

Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
« Reply #9 on: April 03, 2018, 15:46:55 PM »
Ooh @sewingj that's lovely!  Pretty fabric and bargainous too :) 

Lulu

Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
« Reply #10 on: April 17, 2018, 21:26:38 PM »
That's really lovely, very professional!

It's not homemade, but I love my summer dressing gown..I wear it all year round. Maybe when I'm a bit more confident I'll have a crack at one of these too

Nevis5

Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
« Reply #11 on: April 18, 2018, 04:13:34 AM »
Ooh @sewingj that's lovely!  Pretty print too.  Looks nice and cool.  @Lulu  I wear my summer dressing gown all year too, am at that stage of life where I'm permanently roasting.  I think it would be a good next project for you, not much in the way of fitting.  The only problem I found with dressing gowns is fighting with the amount of fabric you have to manoeuvre through the sewing machine bed (lightweight fabrics are fine; I tried with thick terry towelling and almost threw it out of the window).

jen

Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
« Reply #12 on: April 18, 2018, 07:27:04 AM »
Nice gown! Just right for summer. Good job you weren’t working with satin, those teeny seam allowances would have frayed to a fringe as soon as you picked the pieces up from the cutting table.

Efemera

Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
« Reply #13 on: April 18, 2018, 09:02:43 AM »
That’s lovely... it’s just what I need, currently I’m wearing my winter woolly one all year round.



I’ve just bought the pattern!
« Last Edit: April 18, 2018, 09:12:01 AM by Efemera »

Lulu

Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
« Reply #14 on: April 18, 2018, 15:36:27 PM »
I think it would be a good next project for you, not much in the way of fitting.

Thanks @Nevis5 it's a great idea. I have a few little people things in mind to make first, but maybe for a not too distant future project!

@sewingj I hope you don't mind me asking.. how much did the fabric cost you for this? I'm still getting used to the cost of materials!