The Sewing Place

The Emporia => In the wardrobe => Patterns Discussion => Topic started by: sewingj on April 01, 2018, 16:50:13 PM

Title: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
Post by: sewingj 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
Title: Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
Post by: UttaRetch 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.
Title: Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
Post by: Nevis5 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 :)
Title: Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
Post by: sewingj 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!
Title: Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
Post by: Lyn-J 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 :'(
Title: Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
Post by: UttaRetch on April 01, 2018, 20:15:17 PM
@Lyn-J: sounds as if you have had a disastrous encounter with an overlocker.
Title: Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
Post by: datcat23 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. 
Title: Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
Post by: sewingj 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 ]  
Title: Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
Post by: SkoutSews 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  :(
Title: Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
Post by: Nevis5 on April 03, 2018, 15:46:55 PM
Ooh @sewingj that's lovely!  Pretty fabric and bargainous too :) 
Title: Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
Post by: Lulu 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
Title: Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
Post by: Nevis5 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).
Title: Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
Post by: jen 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.
Title: Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
Post by: Efemera 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!
Title: Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
Post by: Lulu 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!

Title: Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
Post by: sewingj on April 18, 2018, 15:46:28 PM
@Lulu   I don`t mind you asking at all!  I used polycotton from Minerva Crafts
https://www.minervacrafts.com/shop/fabric/dress-fabrics&type=Polycotton

For something like this I prefer polycotton as it doesn`t crease as much as 100% cotton.  It cost £2.99 per metre and I made size M which took 4 metres - plus it needs a sizeable bit of fusible interfacing for the collar and down the front edge (the pattern says 1.6metres but you can patch fusible interfacing it you don`t have a piece large enough to do it in one go)

If you do make it please note my comments about the tiny seam allowance on the pattern - just add 3/8 to everything and sew a standard 5/8  seam and you should be fine
Title: Re: Summer dressing gown - thought this would be a doddle!
Post by: StitchinTime on April 18, 2018, 16:01:49 PM
@Lulu For practice pieces, duvet covers from charity shops can provide a lot of fabric for not a lot of cash. I'm sure you'd be able to find a polycotton one that would be suitable for a summer dressing gown.