Gather - Buchanan dressing gown

I have something a bit different to show you today, which is the Gather Buchanan Dressing Gown.

 

I really needed a new dressing gown, as the one I had had most definately seen better days.  A few holes in the seams had been fixed along with the hem, and also the ties to hold the fronts together on the inside.  It looked a bit like this one that Kim Novak wears in Vertigo, except it was dark blue with white polka dots.

My fabric is some viscose from Textile Express, it was only £5 per metre, so I ordered three metres.  I think I used about 2 metres, and am hoping to be able to squeeze a sleeveless blouse out of the rest of it.  It's quite lightweight, and perfect for a summer dressing gown.  It's very fluid though, so I stablised it with some spray starch that I washed out once it was finished.  My top tip is to peg it on the washing line well out of the reach of paws.  As certain Mr Luke Spookling thought it would be a great game to start playing with the belt!    

Don't be fooled by that wee face.  The only time Luke behaves is when he's sleeping!

This pattern is lovely.  Firstly, I ordered it one lunchtime, and got it in the post the next day; and secondly, the instructions are brilliant.  The pattern suggests using a contrast fabric for the neckband, cuffs and belt, but I used the same fabric for everything.

 

I made View 1 in the smallest size, and it comes to just below my knees, but that's because I'm small.  The only mod I made was to the raise the pocket by 6 cms, as it was too low for me, and the way this pocket is constructed is very pleasing.

All the seams are french seams, which was very time consuming, but look lovely and were worth it for this fabric.  Also, I ended up top stitching all the edges and the joined seams on the cuffs, pocket and neck band for no other reason than I thought it looked nice.

Neckband

Cuff

 

Pocket top

I also added ties to the inside as on my old dressing gown.  As this fabric is so slippery, I felt it needed them, but they probably wouldn't be necessary on something like a cotton lawn.  I made them in the same way and width as the belt loops and hanging loop, and cut them 24 inches long.  The one on the side seam is level with the belt loops, and I eyeballed the one on the front, but really should have measured it up from the bottom as it is a bit high!  It was attached to the inside front before attaching the neck band.

Here are the inside ties in action - in case you're wondering what I'm talking about!  I wearing this with my sweetheart neckline dress as I photographed it at the same time.

 

 

This is one of those things that I didn't realise I didn't until I made it, because I've been wearing all the time - like right now.  That's always pleasing!

Lynne