Monday, June 20, 2011

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.



14 comments:

  1. I love the colors!!!! I will have to check out the pattern, somehow I missed it. My son definitely needs one of these for his upcoming swim lessons.

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  2. Ooh, yours turned out great! I just saw the awesome pattern at "made." I love your idea of using towels to get a cute print. Pool time is so much fun isn't it?

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  3. They look wonderful! I love the meadow sweet combo - it looks like they were made for each other.

    Glad you enjoyed your time away - it's great to recharge the batteries isn't it?

    Do you make things (like the swimsuit cover-up) even though your hubby may think they are pointless? I've been wanting to make some, but... (shrugs).

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  4. I love those dots! (and stripes of course :)). Thanks for sharing with everyone and for helping me out Anneliese.

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  5. SO CUTE!!!!

    I must make one of these now!!

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  6. These are darling!!! I love the bright colors with the bias tape as contrast. So cute! I need to make some. My girls would love it!

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  7. The dots coordinate so well together, like it when things like that happen:) Also like how you made the stripes feminine. I took mine one step further and made my own bias....more time than sense I guess.
    Have a wonderful Summer!

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  8. Super cute, I think these would make great birthday gifts for summer kids. Glad your family could get away and recharge!

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  9. I love the beach robes that look adorable what a clever idea

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  10. Your beach robes turned out beautifully! I am almost finished with mine, and really enjoyed this project.

    Happy SITS day! I am so glad I found your blog through today's feature. I am off to get more crafty inspiration - thanks for sharing!

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  11. How cute...man I love summer:)
    Congrats on your SITS day!
    Tracy

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  12. I am in awe of everything you've been sewing/knitting. The colors are so beautiful. Congrats on your well-deserved SITS day!

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  13. Hi I am about to start making my robe for my daughter and I wanted to add liner to the inside of the sleeves and yours is the first I have seen with it. How did you do it? I'm not a beginner sewer but I always have to go by patterns. Also how did you add the bias tape to cover the hood/robe seam? It looks so nice that way. Thanks for your help. Shanna. Shanna.Schad@gmail.com

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  14. Ok, seriously, your bias tape is immaculate! What's your trick? When I did mine it was a massacre..lol. So adorable yours are! Great job!

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