How to Make a Black Sleeveless Robe

A sleeveless robe is a useful vacation must-have.

A sleeveless robe makes a useful poolside or beach cover-up. You can dress it up with a contemporary leather belt, some chunky jewelry and a pair of heels, and the robe takes you from the beach into the evening. Plenty of black fabrics are available, and an inexpensive cotton or jersey fabric works well for this project. By using a simple kimono-style construction, you do not even need a pattern for your sleeveless robe, and can make it within an hour or two.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Fabric
• Sewing pins
• Sewing machine
• Thread

Instructions

1. Measure from your shoulder to calf- or ankle-length, depending how long you want your robe. Additionally, take your chest measurement around the fullest part.

2. Cut rectangular pieces of fabric for the two front sides and back of your robe. Each of your two front rectangles should be one-quarter of your chest measurement wide, and the length you want the robe. The back rectangle should be half your chest measurement wide, and the length of the robe. Allow a 1-inch seam allowance on all sides when cutting your fabric.

3. Pin your front pieces to your back piece at the shoulder seams. Pin the pieces with the right sides of the fabric together.

4. Sew your robe together. Start with the shoulder seams. Sew the side seams together, leaving a 12-inch gap on each side through which to put your arms.

5. Finish off the garment by hemming the bottom, the two front sides and the sleeve gaps.

Tips & Warnings

• You can give the robe a little glam by adding some ribbon trim, sequins or other embellishments.

References

• "Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts: Basic Techniques for Sewing, Applique, Embroidery, Quilting, Dyeing, and Printing, plus 150 Inspired Projects from A to Z"; Martha Stewart; 2010

Resources

• "Making Kimono and Japanese Clothes"; Jenni Dobson; 2008