Late Summer Swim and Spa Robes

I have such a fun sewing project to share with you today!   When I was contacted by Shannon Fabrics about another collaboration with Clover, I jumped on their beautiful Turkish Terry Waffle White Fabric.  When the fabric arrived it was as special as I knew it would be.    From the beginning I knew I wanted to make Swim (or Spa) Robes with the fabric but what really excited me was I asked for enough fabric to make five of them!   Our family goes on a yearly beach vacation with our two grown children, their spouses and our two grand-girls.  So I had the idea that the five of us girls needed Swim Robes!

I’m really happy to share the process with you today so that you can make one of these super fast and easy robes for yourself!

After getting my fabric, the next thing I did was find a pattern.  I went to Etsy and did a quick search for a Swim or Spa Robe pattern and immediately found the one I knew was perfect.  It comes in child sizes as well as adult and I needed that for my two grand-girls.  The pattern is by Rebecca Page and is called Relaxation Robe.  You can purchase it by clicking here.

NOTE:  When you purchase a pattern for download, you will need to print the pattern pieces and then tape them together to form your pattern.  I’ve done this many times and some of the pattern pieces are confusing on where to tape together.  On this pattern, it was a such a breeze.  Rebecca makes it a quick and simple process.  

Using all my favorite Clover tools and the beautiful Turkish Terry Waffle White Fabric fabric along with my printed and taped pattern pieces and I was on my way!   There are a few Clover tools that I won’t ever let myself be without when I am cutting out a pattern:  Flower Head Pens – Art No. 2505, Clover Large Patchwork Scissors – Art No. 493/L and the 60mm Rotary Cutter – Art No.7502 .   I love the Flower Head Pens because they are super sharp and they are long.  I ended up cutting the majority of my fabric using the Rotary Cutter because it cut so beautifully through the Waffle Weave Fabric.  

The pattern was so easy to follow and honestly, using a Serger, I was able to make each robe in about 30 minutes.  I did decide that I wanted to personalize each one so I made the belts in a different fabric and I also added our first initial monogram to the left breast of each robe.

Using the Clover Wonder Fuse – Art No. 4090 makes adding a fabric monogram to a project so easy.  Here’s how:  Cut a square piece of Wonder Fuse and fabric to the size that you need.  Use a hot iron to press the Wonder Fuse to the back of the fabric.  Press right onto the paper backing.

Use a pencil to trace the monogram onto the paper backing.  Make sure to reverse the monogram pattern so that when you cut it out, the fabric side is correct!   The best scissors for this job are the tiny Bordeaux Ultimate Scissors 130.  They are super sharp and have a great pointed tip for cutting precisely.

Once you’ve cut your monogram, carefully remove the paper backing and place it on your Robe wherever you choose.  I made sure to try the robe on and mark the location.  Now you can press your monogram and it will adhere to the Robe.

I used a zig-zag stitch to adhere the monogram permanently to the Robe and it was simple and quick.  Using the Wonder Fuse keeps the monogram from sliding around as you sew around it.   Its a really fun way to personalize your robe!

I also made the belt for each robe out of the same fabric as the monogram and that was also fun.  So… let me tell you about one of my very favorite Clover tools.  This is the Easy Loop Turner – Art No. 472 .  There is nothing more frustrating to me than making a long loop of fabric that needs to be turned right side out and it takes literally forever to do it.   With the Easy Loop Turner you can turn one of the robe belts in less than one minute – I know because I timed it!!  It is as simple as snapping on the turner, pushing it through all the fabric, and then pulling it out the other end.  Just like that, you’ve turned your fabric to the right side!  Every sewist must have an Easy Loop Turner in their tool box!

I loved sewing these robes so much.  The Turkish Terry Waffle White Fabric fabric from Shannon Fabrics was a dream to sew.  It is a super nice weight fabric that I was able to zip through my serger so quickly.  I have a bunch of scraps left and guess what?  A grand-baby on the way!!!  So I’m seeing Waffle Weave burp cloths in my future!  Along with all my favorite Clover Tools this was a super fast project! (Even FIVE of them!!!)  

We girls loved out Swim Robes at the beach so much.   These robes were such a fun, personalized gift to my sweet girls.  

Make a Waffle Weave Fabric robe, my friends!  You will love it! 

~ Dori ~