Handmade Gifts: Kimono-Style Bathrobe

My latest thing is to try to do handmade gifts.  I am finding it easier to think up handmade gifts for women and babies than for men... hmm.  For my mom's birthday gift I really wanted to sew something for her.  She taught me how to sew when I was around 10 or 11 years old (imagine the patience it must have taken) and was so pleased when I took back up the hobby of sewing this winter so really I needed to make something for her. 

I had really enjoyed the pattern for the Amy Butler apron I made recently so I headed back to my trusty In Stitches (amazon affiliate link!) book to find something gift worthy.  I landed on the Kimono-Style Bathrobe.  Then my problems started.  First the fabric I thought was perfect was on backorder... so I waited just find it put on backorder again so I found a back up, which I am still not 100% sure about.  Then I didn't read the first couple of steps fully and started cutting out pieces only to find myself in a situation where the last bigger pieces were a tight fit in the fabric dimensions left.

Then I proceeded to have issues getting the neck to lie flat, the armholes to be flat (I ripped both out and spent way to much time trying to get it right), and then my bobbin thread decided to be PITA and add knots everytime I started stitching on the final pieces... After all of that fighting with the project, it is done!  Yay! But now I am worried that I made it too big- my mom is taller than me but she is pretty petite... sigh!

Ok.  Now to the next project... first is Tina's lovely package as the final piece has been shipped to me and then to start on Christmas gifts.  {yes, I really did say that I am starting on Christmas gifts... I have learned my lesson about last minute gift projects!}

Comments

[Maranda @ {Evoked}]

I think this turned out so beautifully and is very charming! I am sure you mom is going to absolutely adore it =)

[Tara]

Thank you, Maranda!

[lindsay]

it's lovely! the pattern is fab! your mom will love it i'm sure. i'm bet it's not too big - who wants a small robe anyway? :)

good job!

[Abbie]

It looks great! The only time I've tried to tackle the sewing machine was on my programs and ring pillow. I'm scared of patterns!

[Tina]

Oh yeah! Do I get a robe? You can make it small since I am about to lose 50 pounds. :)

[violarulz/ducksandbooks]

try replacing the needle in your machine. my bobbin was making tons of thread goobers, so I called my gramma to whine. She told me to replace the needle and voila! no more thread goobers!