Looking for a quick and easy gift idea? The Compose Robe to the rescue! I just love my Compose robe ~ it is definitely the most worn me-made garment in my closet.
Today, 11/25/22 the Compose Robe pattern (Adults and Kids) is on sale for just $5! So go shop your stash and whip up some great gifts that everyone will LOVE! (Sale is over, but you can always use my discount code at the bottom of this post)
Details
Why I love this pattern:
- Makes THE perfect gift! (I made one for my sister for Christmas last year)
- Quick and easy sew.
- Beginner Friendly
- Can be made in knit or woven fabrics.
- Banded or hooded options
- 2 different lengths available: Knee and Calf
- Hanging loop included in pattern.
Sizing and Alterations
The Compose Rose for women is available in sizes XS – 5X. A full bust front is available if needed. Be sure to choose your size according to your high bust measurement. This is extremely important to get a good fit at the shoulder. If in-between sizes, size down. Several of the LN Ambassadors have used this pattern for men as well~ simply use their chest measurement to determine their size.
The Compose Robe pattern completely changed my mind about wrap robes. I have never been able to buy a wrap robe that fit me correctly. In order to avoid gaping at the bust, I would always have to buy a larger size. Sizing up when you are only 5 feet tall just means the shoulders look sloppy and the sleeves are way too long! I honestly thought I just didn’t like wrap robes! But when you make one that fits you perfectly~ your whole opinion on them changes. I truly wear this robe more than anything else in my closet!
My high bust measurement of 40″ put me into the XL. Since my full bust is more than 4″ larger, I used the full bust pattern piece. Remember that using the full bust piece adds 2″ to the waist and hips finished measurements. Because of this, I did NOT grade out for my hips. (My hips are just outside of the XL range at the moment.)
I made the knee length robe. I did NOT shorten it for my height (5 feet) because I wanted it to be just a bit longer. I did shorten my sleeves by 2″. I typically shorten sleeves on most Love Notions pattern by about 1″. I did want these sleeves to be a tad shorter, so I wouldn’t get them wet when washing my hands and face at night and in the morning. Just a personal preference.
Since I am short, I did raise the placement of my belt loops up by 1″ to insure that the belt would sit at my waist. If you know you are long or short waisted, I suggest basting the loops on (as directed in Step 4) and holding the robe front up to yourself to check the placement.
Adding Inside Ties
The only change I made to this pattern was to include inside ties at the waist to help prevent the robe from gaping. When you are busty and hippy, this is something that happens very commonly when wearing wrap garments. I made ties from my robe fabric. You could also use twill tape, ribbon or bias tape for the inside ties since they will be inside and won’t show. If your fabric is thick and/or bulky you would most likely want to do this.
To make the ties:
- Cut 2 pieces of fabric 1″ X 22″. If you are making larger than an XL you may want to make them longer.
- Fold ties in half RST and stitch along the long edge with a 3/8″ seam.
- Stitch across one short end.
- Turn ties right side out and press.
- Attach the ties to the inside of the robe as follows:
On one side attach the tie to the seam allowance where the belt loop is sewn. I used a small zigzag stitch.
On the other side, attach the tie to the seam allowance of the front and front band, lining it up with the belt loop.
Sewing Tip for the Compose Robe
If your fabric is heavy and/or bulky, you might want to cut your hanging loop from a thinner matching or contrasting fabric, ribbon or twill tape. The extra bulk makes it very hard to sew the bands to the back neck edge. This might only be an issue for some of the heavier and bulky fleece fabrics.
Fabrics
The Compose Robe can be made with knit or woven fabrics. If choosing a woven fabric, you might want to size down since the fabric is less bulky. Medium to heavyweight knits such as fleece, sweatshirt fleece, French Terry, Ponte, waffle knit, sweater knits and double knits will all work well. For a lighter weight Spring/Summer robe cotton spandex or bamboo cotton knits would be lovely. I think I might need to make myself a Bamboo Cotton jersey version! If you are from the US, and have ever wondered what you could possibly use that fleece from Joann Fabrics for~ THIS is the pattern.
In fact you can even make this robe out of one of those cute and inexpensive throw blankets! Several LN sewists have done this in the past and they came out great!!
I made my Compose from a sweatshirt fleece that had minimal stretch. It was the perfect fabric! It is warm but not too bulky. Raspberry Creek Fabrics has the best selection of sweatshirt fleece in a variety of pretty plaids, florals and other prints. You can also have any design from their Designer Studio printed onto the sweatshirt fleece base. My floral print is still available. You can find it HERE.
Thanks for stopping by! I truly appreciate all of you that visit! If you enjoyed this blog post, consider subscribing to my blog to stay up to date with all my posts!
Mary Anne 🙂
You can grab the Compose Robe pattern HERE.
The Kid’s Compose robe is also on sale. It is available in sizes 2T-16. Grab it here.
This is an affiliate link. It costs you nothing to purchase from this link, it just helps fund my fabric addiction which allows me to test and review more patterns.
To receive an additional 10% off the pattern price, use this coupon code SEWMARY10. This coupon code can be used at anytime on any pattern….even a $5 Feature Friday pattern.
Fabric Resources
Raspberry Creek Fabrics: excellent source for French Terry and sweatshirt fleece
sewmarymac.com 
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