How to Add a Hood to a Robe

The hood on a robe gives you added warmth.

Robes have been worn throughout time. The Japanese had kimonos and monks in the Catholic church wore seamless robes. Lounging robes and bathrobes today are worn to keep us warm and give us privacy. Some already have hoods attached, while others do not. You can easily attach a hood to your robe by adding similar fabric, and sewing it to the back of the neckline of your robe. A towel can be used for a terry cloth robe, and other fabrics can be matched at your local fabric store.

Things You'll Need

• Towel or other fabric
• Measuring tape
• Large paper
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Matching color thread
• Pins

Instructions

1. Match the fabric of your robe. If it is terry cloth robe, you may use a new towel. Flannels, silk and other fabrics can be matched at the fabric store.

2. Use a large piece of paper to make a pattern for your hood. Draw a 90-degree angle with the bottom line 10 inches and the vertical line 16 inches. Connect the angle with a curved circular shape, so that it looks like a piece of pie.

3. Cut out your pattern and place on your fabric. Pin it together and cut it out. Repeat on another section of fabric.

4. Attach the cut pieces with pins. The two pieces fit together identically. Sew the rounded edge together.

5. Attach the sewed hood piece to the back of your robe's neckline with pins. If it has a collar already, be sure to attach it to the neckline inside the collar.

6. Sew the hood to your robe so that the seam is on the inside. Wear it with style.

Tips & Warnings

• You can try on your hooded robe before you sew it on to make sure you have the pinned position correct. If your robe has a print, you may use a single color for the hood. Usually the dominant color of the pattern is a good match for the color of the hood.

• Use caution when working with sharp scissors and needles. Make sure your sewing machine can handle thick fabric.

References

• Clara: Basic Hood

Resources

• TeleMate: History of Bathrobe
• Oracle ThinkQuest: History of the Kimono