How to Make a Bath Robe

Do you have a comfortable old robe that you hate to part with? You have looked and just can not find one like it any store or catalog. You can make a new one by recycling the old one, using a different pattern. When finished, you will have a robe that is worth at least two to three times the cost of the materials you purchase for it.

Things You'll Need

• Cloth, chenille, terry (4 to 5 yards for long robe) Favorite old robe Large sheets of paper Thread in matching color Shears Pattern (optional)

Instructions

1. Take a seam ripper, remove stitching at all seams and carefully pull the old robe apart. Discard all loose threads.

2. Lay the robe parts out on large sheets of paper on a work surface and draw around it to make a new pattern. You can pin the pieces directly on to the new cloth if desired. Remember to add half an inch all around the robe parts for seam allowance.

3. Pin the paper pattern, new pattern or robe pieces on to the wrong side of the cloth.

4. Cut out the pieces with sewing shears. Cut out a strip of cloth 6 inches wide by 4 feet long. This will be the tie belt.

5. Pin the pieces of the new robe together. If you have used an old robe as your pattern, it is wise to try the pinned together new robe on a person or mannequin to make sure it is the correct size.

6. Use a sewing machine to sew the robe together, removing the pins as you go. Hem the bottom to the appropriate length for the person who will be wearing it. Fold the belt cloth in half, wrong side out. Sew completely around the long side and one end. Pull the belt though the open end to bring the belt right side out. Fold the end inside half an inch and hand sew the open end closed.

7. Embroider a design or monogram to the front of the robe.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a summer bathrobe by cutting the pieces for a shorter, knee-length robe.