Women’s Robe in Cozy Flannel
The irresistible warmth and comfort of Robert Kaufman’s new Shetland Flannel is the perfect match for the Purl Soho Women’s Robe. I made mine in Grey Herringbone, but any of Shetland Flannel’s tweedy coastline colors would be beautiful. A chilly morning, a hot cup of your favorite wake-up beverage and a robe that feels like a big, warm hug… What a great way to start the day!
The Purl Soho Women’s Robe Pattern thoroughly walks you through every step of the sewing process with detailed photographs and tons of helpful tips. It includes sizes from Extra Small to Extra Large, in both above-the-knee and below-the-knee lengths. To see our original version in Liberty of London’s lovely Tana Lawn, click right here.
And to pick up a copy of the Purl Soho Women’s Robe Pattern PDF, just click here. Happy fall! -Corinne
Materials
- Lightweight Cotton, Medium Weight Cotton, Flannel, or Linen Fabric. We used Robert Kaufman’s new Shetland Flannel. See chart (below) for quantities.
- One 274-yard spool of Gutermann’s Cotton Sewing Thread, color to match.
- For our Women’s Robe Pattern, please email customerservice@purlsoho.com and we’ll send a free PDF right over to you!
Update 2024: You can explore our current collection of beautiful fabrics and supplies on our page of Sewing Tools + Notions!
Sizes
XSmall (Small, Medium, Large, XLarge)
Pattern
Update: Adding Room to the Sleeve and Shoulder Seam
June 30, 2016
Love this pattern, but can’t find anywhere how much (many?) yards of fabric I need. Can you help me out?
Hi Lieke-
You can find the fabric amounts by going to the link below and scrolling to the bottom of the story.
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2014/04/24/corinnes-thread-purl-soho-womens-robe/https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2014/04/24/corinnes-thread-purl-soho-womens-robe/
Thanks for writing in and for your question!
Molly
I’ve never sewn anything for myself before, so I’m really excited to be trying this robe pattern! I’ve bought the flannel, and would really like to line it with something smooth for ease of taking it on/off, and to add a little extra warmth for winter – do you have any recommendations for lining fabrics? (And thank you for your guidance on how to sew a lining in the comments on the main robe page! I was going to ask the same question but you’ve already answered it!)
Hi Esme –
Thank you for writing in! I am so glad you like the pattern, and congratulations on finally sewing something for yourself!
I would normally recommend lining the Robe with flannel, but since your outer robe will also be flannel, you may want something different. You could try a light-weight terry or waffle weave cotton (https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/9149-Robert-Kaufman-Baby-Waffle-Pique). Generally you don’t want anything to thick or heavy, as this will change the drape of the robe, and could make it cumbersome to sew and to wear.
Alternatively, you could use the flannel as the lining and chose any light to mid-weight cotton on the outside.
I hope this helps! And please let us know if you have any other questions while you’re sewing!
-Corinne
I just finished making the flannel robe using the lovely flannel from your shop. It is truly the softest flannel I have ever felt. The underarm area of the robe, however, is a bit tight. Is there any way to make it looser? Everything else about the size (small) fits perfectly.
Hello Julia –
Thank you for writing in! I am so glad you like the Shetland Flannel as much as we do!
I’m sorry the underarm of your Robe ended up a bit tight. I think the best way to adjust this, since the rest of the robe is already finished, would be to add a diamond-shaped gusset into the underarm. I have not done this myself, so I am not positive about the specifics of the measurements, but if I were doing it on my own Robe, here is what I would try first:
Cut two diamond shapes from the flannel approximately 6 inches tall and 2-3 inches wide (depending on how much additional room you would like to add).
Rip out the underarm seams 2 1/2 inches along the sleeves and 2 1/2 inches along the side seams.
With right sides together, sew the diamond gusset into the underarm with a 3/8-inch seam allowance so that the two long points of the gusset run opposite each other, one out along the Sleeve and the other down the side seam.
Does this sound clear? If you make this adjustment and have any questions during the process, please write again and I would be happy to help!
-Corinne
I also have just finished making this gorgeous robe in the soft flannel and I am sad to say that the underarm area is too tight, a little out of proportion to the easy drape of the rest of the garment. I will try making the gusset but I am nervous about undoing all the french seams, etc.
Hi Ariana –
I am sorry that you have found the underarm of the robe too tight. If you have any trouble adding in the gusset, please feel free to ask any questions here. We are happy to help!
-Corinne
I love this pattern in Shetland flannel so much, I made one in just about every color – perfect Christmas gifts! See them here: http://blueberryhillcrafting.com/2014/10/16/shetland-flannel-robes/
I just downloaded this pattern and I’m so excited to make it for my daughters for Christmas gifts. I’m wondering if I can use a good quality cotton knit fabric. Thank you!
Hi Cathy –
Thank you for writing in! This is a great question. Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of experience working with knits, so I can’t say for sure if this would work or not. My main concern would be the bias-cut neckline and edging. I would worry that this may stretch and ripple in a knit. I would test this section first before jumping into the whole project. You could also make the body of the robe in a knit and use a woven for the belt and neck and sleeve edgings. This could solve any stretching issues, and would add a nice accent.
I’m sorry I can’t help more!
-Corinne
Thank you so much for this pattern! I held out on making this robe for a long time, thinking I could find something equally nice to buy. I was wrong! Just made the robe in the Grey Tweed and am delighted with the results.
A few pieces of feedback:
* I agree that the armpits are too tight. If you put it on over a t-shirt, you’ll have to shove the t-shirt sleeves into the robe sleeves. I’m not really game for taking the armpits apart to try a new technique without pictures, either — too risky.
* The belt instructions might not make sense? Measuring 7 inches from the center seam would end up causing you to sew the belt on crooked.
* The sleeves might be a little short. I’m over it, but if I were making this again I would lengthen them by an inch.
Thank you again for the great pattern!
Hi Carey –
Thank you for writing in! I am so glad that you are happy with your new Robe! Isn’t the Shetland Flannel lovely!
Thank you also for your pattern notes! I am sure many of our readers will find them helpful as they work on this project.
I would be interested to hear more about your trouble with the Belt. I’ve looked over the instructions again, and they seem correct to me, but I may be missing something. The only clarification I can think to add is that the Belt is meant to extend 14 (14 1/2, 15 1/2, 16 1/2, 17) inches across the back, from side seam to side seam (measured and sewn 7 (7 1/4, 7 3/4, 8 1/4, 8 1/2) inches in each direction from the center seam of the Belt), whereas the width of the Robe Back is wider. The extra ease of the garment is meant to be gathered into the fit of the belt. Does this make sense, or help clear up any confusion?
Thanks again!
-Corinne
You guys rock! I made this robe for myself with the armpit gussets and I wear it constantly (cold house). I am finishing one for my grandmother now. She has gotten a bit heavy in her older age so I made one size larger but now the collar gaps at the shoulders. Any clever fitting techniques I can employ? Darts or something?
Thank you for all your hard work.
Hi Jaime –
Thank you for your kind words! I am so glad that you like the pattern, and are getting much use out of your Robe!
It is hard to give tips about correcting the gap at the shoulder without seeing the problem first-hand, but it does sound like darts could work. My instinct would be to fold the fabric where the gap occurs and stitch it closed. You could also try adjusting the shoulder seam itself. Perhaps taking it in from the front or back, or sewing at an angle would help. Again, without working with the garment person, it’s hard to say for sure what the best solution would be, but this is where I would start!
I hope this helps!
-Corinne
I tried to download my free pattern for being a loyal customer but I must have done something wrong because I can’t get it to download. I would love to have the robe pattern. Thank you for any suggestions to download and print this pattern.
If I have misunderstood, please let me know.
I love your site! I don’t knit but I’m a Professional Dressmaker.
Thank you!!
Hello Terri!
First of all, thank you for shopping with us and for your loyalty! Second, we apologize that the pattern hasn’t been downloading correctly. Our customer service team will be emailing you shortly to sort it all out. Thanks for your patience!
-Alyson
I was just wondering where the shetland flannel is made. Thank you.
Hi Sarah –
Thank you for writing in. The Shetland Flannel is made in India.
Please let us know if you have any other questions about this lovely fabric!
-Corinne
I noted some comments on some makers finding the underarm/sleeve tighter than expected. This happened to me too and on rereading the pattern I realise I folded the sleeve the wrong way when I pressed it in half. Thus making the sleeve longer and narrower and the underarm tighter. I hope this will save others from making the same mistake! It is a brilliant pattern, thank you for producing it. I agree with the request for PJ shorts to match.
I am so excited to make this robe. After reading several comments about issues with tight armpit areas, I am wondering what alterations you would recommend before I cut into my precious Shetland flannel. Should I make the diamond gussets from the start, or what would you recommend? Thanks for your help!
Hello Heather,
Thank you for writing in!
You are correct, some of our readers have found that the armholes are a little tight with this pattern, and you are smart to think of this before you begin! There are a couple of things that you can do to avoid this fit issue.
I think what affects the fit most in the underarm is the extra bulk of the French Seam in the flannel fabric. To avoid this, you can attach the Sleeves to the Robe Body with a standard seam (rather than the French Seam suggested in the pattern). To make this change, in Step 3 of the Attach the Sleeves section, pin the Sleeve and Body together with right sides facing (instead of wrong sides as suggested in the pattern). In Step 4, sew the seam with a 5/8-inch seam allowance (instead of 1/4-inch), and then sew along the raw edge of the seam allowance with a zigzag stitch. You can then skip ahead to Step 9, and unfold and press the seam.
You can also cut the Sleeve a little wider than suggested. The short side of the Sleeve rectangle is the width of the Sleeve. You could add 1 – 2 inches to the width before you cut. If you find in the end that the Sleeves are too wide with this extra width, you can simply sew with a wider seam allowance to make them more narrow. If you do this, you will also want to adjust the length of the Sleeve Binding to reflect the change).
I hope this helps, and gives you confidence to cut into your lovely fabric!
-Corinne
Thank you!
Hi there! First of all, I’m SO happy to have discovered your site. I’m an avid patternmaker, tailor, crafter, stitcher. I’m even more excited to learn you have a store front in NYC as I’ll be moving up this summer.
My question is what makes this a women’s robe? Darting? Can I adapt the pattern easily for men?
Hi Tyler –
Thanks for writing in. This is a great question!
The reason we call this Robe a “Women’s” Robe is because of fit and sizing. The Robe is designed to fit somewhat close to the body and the sizing is adapted accordingly. Traditionally, men’s robes have a roomier fit and the sizing on this pattern would not accommodate a full range of men’s sizes. That said, because the Robe is constructed using basic rectangle shapes, and with your experience in mind, I think you could easily adapt the pattern to any size. And, of course, we are always here to help along the way!
I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions!
-Corinne
I have purchased the flannel from Purl soho and it feels amazing! I have down loaded the instructions but the pattern is not included in the down load. Am I missing something ?
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for writing in! It is not a traditional tissue or printed paper pattern. The Robe is constructed using simple cut rectangles. A Cutting Chart with a full list of dimensions is included as well as a Cutting Guide for proper layout on your fabric.
I hope that this helps and happy sewing!
Cassy
Hello, I’ve bought this lovely Shetland Flannel and have gotten as far as sewing on the sleeves and now I’m at the part where I’m meant to sew along the body and sleeves. It sounds like I’m supposed to finish the seams with a zig zag stitch, but I’ve noticed that this fabric frays a lot and am nervous that it won’t work to stop it from fraying. I don’t have a serger, so that is not an option. Any tips on finishing flannel?
Hi Lyndsey,
The zig zag stitch will be fine, and will keep it from fraying, another alternative is to use a lock cutter attachment on your sewing machine.
I hope this helps,
Melissa
I’ve been searching everywhere for the perfect robe and can’t seem to find it so I decided to use your pattern to make one instead! I want a robe that is fairly warm, should I double my flannel or is it pretty warm with just one layer? Thanks:)
Hi Anna,
Thanks for reaching out! Although Shetland Flannel is pretty hearty, it is still much thinner than a terry or fleece robe that you might find in a store. If you need an extra warm robe, I think doubling your flannel would be a great idea!
Best,
Julianna
Is there any way to easily make this a shawl collar?
Hi Anna,
Unfortunately, we don’t have instructions for adding a shawl collar to this robe – I’m so sorry about that!
Best,
Julianna
I just made this robe in cotton with a terry cloth lining for my daughter. It turned out amazing! She loves it. I now would like to make it for my son in Purl Soho’s flannel. Do you any suggestions on how much to increase the rectangle pattern pieces to fit a man who wears a size 38 jacket? Thanks!
Hi Bobbi,
Thanks for writing in! At the moment, we don’t have a men’s version of this robe. Since it would be a pretty big alteration, there would be many different things to take into account. I will let the design team know about your interest in a men’s robe, so keep an eye out!
Happy crafting,
Oscar
Thanks. I’m sure this would be very popular. I don’t think the style would need to change. It’s a pretty unisex design.
Thanks again.