Adapting a robe to zip up

16 years ago

I like a robe that zips up the front, rather than the more common shawl collared kind which wraps around, which for me, always gaps open and leaves my chest cold. I canÂt find a zip Âup type that is warm enough or long enough for my very-cold house. Plus I look like a frump in the wrap kind, whereas the non-tied zip up ones make me look sleek.

Thick long fluffy ones are very common in the wrap around ones. Has anyone ever adapted one of those to put in a zipper? I think it would be easier and cheaper to adapt than to make one from scratch.

IÂm wondering how one alters the chest and neck area, plus where to purchase such a long zipper. Coat zippers are the longest available to my local stores, and they are not long enough. In a pinch I could do snaps below the zipper.

Featured Answer

kathi_mdgd

16 years ago

I have a full length chennile one that buttons all the way down the front.I bought it at Blair about 5 years or so ago.They have since recalled it for fire safety reason,but i chose not to return mine as i never get near fire with it on.Not to mention it's cotton chennile and has been washed many,many times.I love that robe and like you i HATE wrap arounds.
Kathi

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

soonergrandmom
16 years ago
I had a front zip one that only zipped down to the hip area then had a seam from there down. It was probably my favorite robe.
oilpainter
16 years ago
I think it would be more trouble to try and adapt a wrap around robe to be zippered than to make one from scratch. For instance most robes have a v necked shawl collar which would be impossible to change unless you went the patchwork route.

You would not be able to buy a zipper long enough to go to the floor either. Most robe like you describe only have a zipper to just past the waist or shorter. Some only have zippers long enough to allow room to go over your head. Adding snaps would leave gaps for your cold air to get in so I think you would be defeating the purpose
Related Professionals
Springfield Furniture & Accessories · Spartanburg Furniture & Accessories · Burlington Furniture & Accessories · Bakersfield Furniture & Accessories · Stockton Furniture & Accessories · Savannah Interior Designers & Decorators · Clarksdale Interior Designers & Decorators · Starkville Interior Designers & Decorators · Keene Interior Designers & Decorators · Eau Claire Interior Designers & Decorators · Tucson Interior Designers & Decorators · Mount Vernon Furniture & Accessories · Richmond Furniture & Accessories · Westerly Furniture & Accessories · Wenatchee Furniture & Accessories
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
Original Author
16 years ago
Most robes like you describe only have a zipper to just past the waist or shorter.

You have a good point. Maybe stitched below would work just as well. As long as I could step into it thatÂs all I would need. I have one in a lighter weight that works that way.
oilpainter
16 years ago
I think you need to consider that fleece is bulky and that is why it makes you look frumpy. I have a wrap around one in fleece and one in silk. I look very elegant in the silk one and about 10 pounds heavier in the fleece one.

You could put a hook and eye or snap on the top to keep it from gaping, or buy some fleece and make one like you want. It wouldn't be hard to make--2 fronts a back and sleeves.
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
Original Author
16 years ago
Making it from scratch was my back up plan. But I have so many other projects I have to finish first. And then it seemed simpler to just adapt. My sewing machine is acting up and I donÂt know how to fix it. I did not want to take on something I could not finish, for both reasons.

It has been a long time since I sewed clothing: the only thing IÂve done in the last 15 years has been curtains, pillows, repairs, etc. Do people still go to the fabric store and look through books? Or is there another way to find patterns? I made a really nice robe 20 years ago from some really elegant vertical quilted satin. It was elegant AND warm. I went to the store hoping to find a similar fabric, but could not find anything suitable. Fleece would not be my first choice but I do need something warm. I actually still have that pattern (it called for a wrap but I made it double breasted with fancy buttons instead, and snaps below). I thought of enlarging that pattern. IÂm umm, bigger now. ItÂs both 20 added pounds and I have muscles now, which I didnÂt have back then with a sedentary job. I would have to make the shoulders and arms bigger too. Oh, this is getting too complicated.
soonergrandmom
16 years ago
You can shop for a pattern at home on this website which carries many brands.

If you are not an experienced seamstress, I would suggest that you buy a pattern in your size instead of trying to adjust a smaller one. Also remember that pattern sizes do NOT match commercial sizes, so the size on the pattern will sound large to you. Just buy by the measurements, and don't let the size intimated you. LOL

Here is a link that might be useful: Patterns