How to Sew a DIY Robe

Take Your Measurements

Use your measuring tape to measure your bust and hip. The biggest of these numbers will be used to determine the waist of your robe. Since most robes are loose, you may want to add a few inches to this number for ease, unless you're looking for a fitted robe. (I added 3 extra inches to make mine extra comfy.)

Now you'll want to decide how long you want your robe to be. Measure from your shoulder to where you want the bottom of your robe to be. Longer robes offer more coverage but can get tangled around the legs, while shorter robes leave more bared skin: Most robes end just above or below the knee. Take the measurement and write it down, this will be your length.

Decide on how long you want your sleeves to be. Measure from your shoulder down your arm, stopping at where you want the sleeves to stop. You can make them as short or as long as you like, but a Kimono robe usually has sleeves that end just below the elbow.

Determine How Much Fabric You Need

Take your length number and multiply this number by 2. This will determine how many yards of fabric you want to buy. I chose to make a long robe, so I bought 2.5 yards of fabric. You may need to buy more or less fabric depending on how long you chose your robe to be.

Fold Your Fabric

Take your fabric and fold it together, rights sides together and wrong sides out, matching the short sides of the fabric. The folded edge should be at the top.

Fold and Pin

Fold the two sides of the fabric together. Pin these two sides together, through all four layers of fabric.

Cut the Length of the Robe

Now it's time to cut the final length of the robe. Take the length measurement you found in Step 1, and add 1/2 inch to account for the hem. Measure from the folded edge of the fabric and then make a mark where you want the length of the robe to stop. Cut a straight line straight across, through all the layers of fabric.

Mark the Sleeves

Starting at the top folded edge, measure down the sides of the fabric the number you decided you'd like for the length. Make a mark on each side.

Mark the Waist

Take your waist measurement from Step 1 and divide it in half. From the mark you just made for the sleeve on the folded side of the fabric, measure in the amount for the waist. Draw a line the entire length of the robe. Where the sleeve and waist meet should form an L-shape.

Cut the Fabric

Cut along the L-shaped marks to cut out the shape of the robe. Remove any remaining pins.

Open and Pin the Robe

Open up the fabric so you have two layers of fabric that are forming the robe shape. Pin the sleeves and sides of the robe.

Cut the Front of the Robe

Through the top layer only, cut down the length of the center of the robe to create the front of the robe.

Sew the Side Seams and Sleeves

Using your sewing machine, sew down the pinned sides and sleeves of the robe with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Turn inside out so the right sides are now on the outside.

Hem Your Front Panels

Fold the edge of both the front panels to the inside by 1/2 inch to create a hem. Sew a straight line down the entire hem with a 1/4 inch seam allowance to secure.

Hem the Sleeves Bottom of the Robe

Fold the sleeve edges and the bottom edge of the robe to the inside, about 1/2 inch. Sew all the way along the hem to finish using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Optional: Create a Robe Belt

If you'd like to be able to secure your robe, you can make a simple robe belt out of a piece of fabric. Use your leftover scraps to cut one piece of fabric to 60 inches by 3 inches. If you'd like, fold the edges wrong sides together by 1/2 inch and sew to create hems. Now it's time to sit back and enjoy your new comfy robe.