Wardrobe essentials 2021 - the Sylvia Robe

 

Drawing from Sew Over It Sylvia Robe pattern webpage, link below

I always feel so silly posing for photos all by myself. Anyway, here I am, trying to fit myself in the view finder. 

Let me introduce the Sylvia Robe by Sew Over It. I love it, floral print and all. I made it with one of the  Guthrie & Ghani Sewing Society Kits, which are released every first Wednesday of the month. The Sylvia Robe tickled my curiosity because it is a type of garment I have never worn. I really love the simple elegance. There was a choice of the black floral viscose crepe you see here, a pink floral-ish viscose lawn and an olive green Tencel twill. This last colour I find deeply depressing, not what I would wear for fun. The kits can sell out very quickly. I don't know how many they make but Guthrie & Ghani being a small business, probably not hundreds. I procrastinated over my choice for a whole afternoon and in the end asked Richard and (surprise) went with his choice. I am not sure if he really likes it, or if he just wanted to be left in peace. I was lucky to find this choice was still in stock.

The kit includes a generous length of fabric, the printed pattern or a printout, instructions, matching thread, needles and anything else one might need. Lauren makes videos to go with each kit, which I like. Although I am an experienced garment maker, I find these useful. There is often a small and practical modification to the instructions, or an additional perk that is not in the original pattern, for example bound button holes instead of normal button holes (not with this robe obviously. not a button in sight)

The viscose crepe has a lovely texture, I really like how it feels to the touch. Maybe you can see it on the close-up photo of the fabric? It is difficult to capture but trust me, the texture is there. I like viscose, it is soft and versatile but I feel a bit conflicted when I use it. It is a natural product made from wood pulp (so far so good) but the production is not very environmentally friendly. I suppose short of growing my own flax and processing it into linen, there is always an aspect of cloth making that is not sustainable and/or environmentally friendly. Anyway, this is not the time to beat myself up. 

 

The Sylvia Robe comes in two length and two size ranges,  UK 6-20 (dressmakers B cup) and UK 18-30 (dressmakers D cup). I really appreciate the extended size (and cup) range that so many independents small pattern companies now offer. Good bye full bust adjustment. I received the pattern files for both and a printed pattern for the larger size range so I can if I want make a robe for someone falling into the smaller size range, if I wanted to.

This was such a simple garment to make. The most challenging part was cutting the fabric. Cutting viscose is always a bit of a faff because it is soft and drapey and needs some care to not distort the grainline. With slippery fabric I often pin the selvages together so that I don't mess up the grainline. I also make sure that no fabric is hanging over the table edge, again to stop the fabric from distorting. I have actually taped slippery fabric to the table before so it can't slither away... 

The pattern instructions are good although I have a vague memory now that there was a problem with matching notches, or maybe it was missing notches. I sewed this quite a few weeks ago so possibly just a false memory.

I made French seams for this garment. It is a bit more time consuming than normal seams because each seam is sewn twice. French seams are really worth the effort because the garment looks nice inside, too. I like my me-mades to look nice inside and out. The neckband (which extends from bottom edge to bottom edge) could be topstitched in place, or hand stitched. I decided to hand stitch. I like a bit of hand sewing and it gives a nice finish. Topstitching with black thread on black fabric is not for those with varifocals, tricky to focus I find. Hand sewing is more forgiving and completely invisible.

I am wearing my robe a lot. It was perfect for those summer evenings when a t-shirt alone was not quite enough. It is perfect now as a layering garment. I really "need" one in every colour of the rainbow. Instead I bought a length of grey Sorona/linen/viscose fabric for a more subtle version of this robe. I am not sure when I have time to cut the fabric but hopefully soon. First I have to finish Annie's leaving home quilt. I am quilting at the moment and I am optimistic I'll be done in time for moving date, September 4th. 

What do you think? Is the Sylvia Robe something you'd wear?