Sewing Tutorials, Sleepwear
Sewing Tutorial: Amora Robe
SEWING ABILITY
Intermediate
To begin, you will need the following things:
Materials
- Amora Robe (XS-5XL) paper pattern , or if you prefer to shop on Etsy
- 2.7m – 3.4m fabric
- cotton thread (enough to also thread your overlocker)
Tools
- scissors
- pins
- sewing machine with a standard foot
- rouleau loop turner
- overlocker
- iron
Fabric Requirements
Type: Woven
The Amora Robe works best with lightweight woven fabrics that feel soft against the skin and drape easily without adding bulk. Linen, cotton voile, cotton lawn, rayon/viscose, or lightweight blends all work well for an everyday version. For something a little more elevated, silk, satin or bamboo blends give a softer, more fluid finish.
Tips
- Ensure your fabric is washed, dried, and pressed before you start cutting. There is nothing worse than washing your beautiful garment and it shrinks, or even more annoying, the lining shrinks and the main doesn’t, so it’s all pulled out of shape and is unwearable.
If you prefer video instructions – please head over to youtube.
Amora Robe – Sewing Instructions
CUTTING
Step 1
Cut all pieces accurately on the correct grain, ensuring all notches are clipped. Also remember to notch the centre of the back neck.
Please note that all seam allowance is marked on the pattern in a grey dashed line and can also be found on page 3 of the booklet provided. If you need help with pattern cutting instructions, these can be found in the same booklet.
Beginner tip* If you can afford to purchase a rotary cutter and cutting mat, I find this more accurate and time-efficient.
BELT LOOPS
Step 2
Fold and pin the belt loop piece right sides together length ways.
Step 3
Stitch closed with a 5mm seam allowance.
Step 4
Turn the loop through with a rouleau loop turner and press flat.
Step 5
Cut the loop in half equally to create 2 separate belt loops. Fold each of the 4 ends at right angles and press to hold.
WAIST TIE
Step 6
Fold and pin the waist tie piece right sides together length ways.
Step 7
Stitch closed with a 1cm seam allowance, leaving a 4cm space in the stitching at the centre to turn the waist tie through.
Step 8
Clip the corners and turn the tie through and press flat.
Step 9
Top stitch the tie along all edges 2mm from the edge.
ROBE
Step 10
Pin the front and back shoulder seams right sides together.
Step 11
Stitch closed with a 1cm seam allowance.
Step 12
Then overlock the seam closed.
Step 13
Then press the seam towards the back.
Step 14
Pin the side seams right sides together, inserting the belt loops at the notch position.
Step 15
Stitch closed with a 1.5cm seam allowance.
Step 16
Then overlock the seam closed.
Step 17
Then press the seam towards the back.
Step 18
Overlock the hem edge from the right side of the fabric.
NECK BAND
Step 19
Pin the 2 neck band pieces right sides together along the short edge.
Step 20
Stitch closed with a 1cm seam allowance.
Step 21
Then press the seam allowance open.
If you need extra help with gathers, there is a more in-depth tutorial here:
Step 22
Fold the band in half length ways, wrong sides together and press.
Step 23
Then fold 1cm on one edge and press flat.
Step 24
Pin the non folded edge of the band to the front edge of the robe right sides together.
Step 25
Stitch closed with a 1cm seam allowance.
Step 26
Then press the seam allowance towards the band. Take care not to press out the folds created earlier.
Step 27
Fold the band back at the hem so that right sides are together.
Step 28
Then stitch 3cm parallel to the hem for the width of the band.
Step 29
Turn through and press, at the same time press the remainder of the hem up 3cm and press in place. The corner of the hem should now be neatly bagged out.
Step 30
Then fold the band over to the back to cover the seam allowance. Pin in place to hold.
Step 31
Then fold the band over to the back to cover the seam allowance. Pin in place to hold.
Step 32
Also stitch the hem.
SLEEVES
Step 33
Overlock the top edge of the sleeve facings from the right side of the fabric.
Step 34
Then pin the facing to the sleeve hem right sides together.
Step 35
Stitch closed with a 1cm seam allowance.
Step 36
Turn through and press the seam allowance towards the facing.
Step 37
Then pin stitch the seam allowance to the facing.
Step 38
Pin the sleeve inseams right sides together.
Step 39
Stitch closed with a 1.5cm seam allowance.
Step 40
Overlock closed from the back side of the sleeve.
Step 41
Press the seam allowance towards the back.
Step 42
Hem the sleeve by stitching the facing down 3.5cm from the sleeve hem edge.
Step 43
The sleeves are now ready to insert into the armhole. Start by running an easing stitch between the front and back notches of the sleeve head. (longest stitch length) If using a light weight fabric also run a stay stitch around the armhole of the dress. This is to prevent the armhole from stretching.
Step 44
Turn the dress inside out and keep the sleeve the right way. Insert the sleeve into the dress and pin together at the underarm, shoulder seam and front and back notches. Then using the easing thread, lightly gather the sleeve to fit it to the armhole. Pin in place.
Step 45
Sew the armhole closed from the sleeve side of the garment, this is so you can ensure that there are no tucks in the sleeve when you are sewing and will have a nice clean seam. Take your time on this step.
Step 46
Remove the easing thread.
Step 47
Then overlock the seam closed.
Step 48
Press the seam allowance towards the sleeve.
The Amora Robe is now complete.
I also have a number of other patterns where you can practice your sewing skills, which are available for purchase here.
I’d love to see your creations. Feel free to tag me on Instagram at @at_the_seams_patterns
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