Sewing: Beach Robes

Friends invited us to use their vacation home this past weekend and we took them up on it! It was a bit of a road trip but so worth it because it was beautiful, and, it came with a pool! We couldn't get Audrey and Scarlett to stop swimming longer than it took them to eat a popsicle or sandwich or collapse into bed. It was so much fun to spend a few days without the usual obligations and projects and just relax. I loved watching the swimming lessons pay off.

Just in time for a bit of pool time, I made these cute Beach Robes from the latest MADE pattern. I bought the towels at Target last year thinking I'd make some suit coverups but never got around to it so I was really happy to have this great pattern for using them. I especially love the use of seam binding--one of my favorite ways to finish and add some pop. The girls love them too. We've used them at swimming lessons (where they are perfect for a quick but private poolside change!) but this weekend was the first time we used them outside. The robes worked perfectly for warming up for a few minutes and grabbing a bite to eat.

Though the pattern didn't call for it, I added some lining inside the sleeves too. I just had to use more of the cute fabric. I still can't believe the uncanny match of this Meadowsweet print and the polka dot towel! It's crazy.

For Audrey's robe I used some Joann fabric (Kate Ward Thacker "Butterfly Garden") I had bought for something else. It also happened to be a great match and I liked adding a bit of femininity to the stripes and blue binding.

I like these so much I am going to make another for Audrey who is swimming a lot this summer. I am also going to make one for little Tess--even if she doesn't swim this summer it will be great for bathing. They are pretty quick to make so I think i just may be able to squeeze them in.