Pattern Testing the Suki Robe by Helen’s Closet!

Hi Sewing Friends!

I’m so excited to be part of the launch of the stunning new pattern released by Helen’s Closet  – it’s the Suki Robe – aka the ultimate in loungewear. Trust me on this, you need this robe in your life!

The making of this robe started and ended with a happy dance. When I received the email from Helen asking if I wanted to pattern test Suki, I literally jumped up and down for a whole five minutes with glee. Fortuitously, the email came through on a Friday evening, so I was able to celebrate by cracking open the wine! Y’see, not only did I already know I love Helen’s drafting (see her Blackwood cardi I made here and her Winslow culottes I made here); I’d also been coveting a robe for a while.

I’d seen a few of this style pattern popping up across social media recently which certainly got the idea of sewing one up germinating in my little mind – but none of them ticked all the boxes for me; mostly as they were designed as outerwear pieces. As someone who practically lives in PJ’s/loungewear, I knew I wanted a long-length robe with full on sleeves, cuff and neck bands, long (preferably anchored) waist ties and, of course, pockets. The Suki has all of these plus the addition of an inner tie to keep things nicely secure and the added little touch of a hanging loop. Since its original launch, the size range on this pattern has been expanded and is now available in sizes 0-30. There is also lots of online support for the sewing of this robe, including a sew-a-long!

The Suki comes in two lengths, long like mine or a shorter length, perfect for a poolside robe! It has a reasonably close fit at the shoulders and upper back, a flattering but relaxed fit at the waist and flares out more at the hip. Perfect loungewear! You can see why the email from Helen just felt so serendipitous – it was everything I’d been looking for!

And I’d got the perfect fabric for it! Three metres of this floaty vibrant red floral viscose challis; it seemed to be begging to be made into a floaty robe! I did contemplate doing the bands and ties in a contrasting solid black but decided against it; though I’m sure to try that on another version.

The pattern itself is aimed at ‘Adventurous Beginners’, however Helen has cleverly thrown in a couple of optional touches to raise it to ‘Intermediate’ should you wish. I’d say, if you want to keep it simple, lengthen the front band (especially if you’re not using a contrasting fabric) and keep your inner front and sleeve band seams exposed. I did the short version of the front bands even though I wasn’t using a contrast, as part of the testing process, and then topstitched my band seams – I wanted that topstitching detail. You have plenty of wiggle room in determining where your inner and outer ties go so they sit at your natural waist. In fact the only alteration I made was to take out a couple of inches from the overall length of the robe – it’s drafted for a woman of 5.6″. I love how it turned out!

Matching slip-ons!

I quickly realised that I’d sewn the robe of my dreams … which looked absolutely and totally ridiculous paired with the tatty old slippers I generally shuffle around in! No, that simply wouldn’t do! And talk about serendipity again; Minerva.com had offered me the Prym Espadrilles kits to test so, an hour and a bit later, I’d got the perfect pair of matching slip-ons! Now I can look put-together even when I’ve just got up in search of that first cup of coffee. At that time of day I can still barely open the one eye and with my hair sticking out at various forty-five degree angles, I definitely don’t look too much like a screen siren but, believe me, wearing this robe makes me feel like one and that’s half the battle…right!?

Deep pockets – perfect for stashing your ‘phone! Or, y’know, biscuits 😉

Until next time, I’m still doing the happy dance!

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