I was given this bathrobe in a group of other vintage things from a coworker (aren’t nice coworkers the best?).
It used to belong to her grandmother. It was also very warm and comfortable.
I wore my new-to-me robe as-is for a little while but realized I couldn’t just hang out in a robe all day long.
I had a beer festival to get to!
When I looked at the label, I immediately thought, If only this was a coat!
You see, the event I was going to was being held at the Columbia Convention Center.
Usually, the annual beer fest doesn’t feature a coat check. As it was chilly, I wanted to be warm, but I didn’t want to be stuck with a big bulky coat.
A lightweight wool wrap coat was exactly what I needed. And I was about to make it happen.
I began snipping of the more robe-y things from this piece.
This left a few raw edges to tend to, and tend to them I did!
First, I serged around the new neckline.
When I was done I folded the serged edge under and pinned it.
Then, I stitched it down.
Those sleeves needed a little attention as well.
I’m going for a bracelet-length sleeve, so I folded these up about 2″, which will give the bell of the sleeve a little more structure.
But what about the overall shape of this thing? It was still looking pretty robe-y.
I decided to give it a sleeker silhouette by adding darts to the back.
Darts are really easy.
First, you just pinch a section where the middle of your dart will be…pulling it in as much as you think necessary.
Then, just taper up and down above and below that pinned pinch point.
It’ll end up looking like this.
When you stitch your dart, make sure you start in the middle pinch point, then backstitch until it tapers off the fabric.
Then, leave enough thread to knot off the end.
Press your darts on each side, and that’s it!
Now that my coat was looking more tailored, I needed to do something about that length.
After ironing everything down, I tossed my new coat on and ran out the door to meet my friends.
I adore this one!
As someone who hates bulky coats, this offers a great option for not incredibly chilly days.
I completely failed to get a pic of it wrapped up on me (which became necessary when my friends and I piled into our Uber at the end of the night), but here it is on my dress form.
And here’s that nicely-fitted back!
My coat was just warm enough and just light enough for the evening.
Cheers!
Thanks for the easy dart explanation, its something I never quite seem to figure out. But this is really easy to follow.
I love how comfy my own wool wrap coat is, so adjustable and cosy. What an amazing job you did making one from a robe! I think I’d be living in it forever!
I wasn’t sure how you were going to pull this one off, but it turned out great! And bonus post because I have an overshirt in desperate need of a couple of darts but have been too intimidated by other tutorials. Now I feel like I can totally manage it! Great to have a so many new posts!
Great robe – chop pin & serge – lovin them darts!
WOW a silent disco – never heard that before
I love your ideas. This is one of the best ones EVER! Professional tailoring.
Your beautiful new coat might also look stunning with one of your awesome belts…..black maybe? Not that it matters much. YOU are the cutest accessory for all of your makeovers! Blessings….
Yikes! I had a coat like that back in 1968! It was robin’s egg blue and I remember wearing it on a field trip to Washington, D.C. Yours is MUCH prettier ;))
I totally am in AwWwEe of you!!!! You can turn the most hidious things into awesome pieces!!! It’s very few people that I envy (especially pple who I don’t actually know) or wish I was more like (bc of course every single person is awesome in his/her own way) bit GEEEZZ Louise…I would love just a smidgen of your talent!!! Anywho enough “stalker-isk” behavior for this cold Monday!! Keep up the awesomeness 🙂 🙂
Great thinking to recycle this!! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Yours looks SO much better than the one for sale at $150!
It is a great transformation from ‘Before’ to ‘After’. Colour is very fetching too.
I want to buy a dress form. I also make clothes for others (not a lot though). Should I buy for my size or an adjustable one?
thanks
I like having an adjustable one. It’s not only great for other people, but if your weight fluctuates at all, it’s good for you too!
Your co workers must be so jealous when they see your transformations. Well done.
Love this re-do! Can’t believe you made it from a robe, but it turned our really well!
Love this!!
OMG!!! Are you kidding??? Wow!!! What a great looking coat!! Who would have thunked, a robe to a coat?
Very cool!
Oh My I just love the coat. Of course the wool would drive me crazy…allergic. I would amp it up another notch with a vintage pin or big button at the wrap point on the top for a different look.
Love your refashions
It looks great on you!
Love it! I have a wool wrap coat that I bought at the LL Bean outlet in New Hampshire in either 2000 or 2001. It still looks fantastic and is perfect for our usually mild North Carolina winters. I love your blog!
You did a great job! I really admire your ingenuity in the way you see possibilities. I’m inspired by what you do. Have you considered taking some sewing lessons, to amp up your refashions to the next level. I’m not meaning to be snarky or rude. Some fine tuning in the great skills you have would put you at the next level.
This is adorable.
That’s gorgeous and very chic too! Love the 1960’s vibe, the colour and the fit are fabulous Karen x
Love it (as usual!).
That coat is just way to cute.
Blessings
Catherine
What a WONDERFUL JOB you did, it looks GREAT ! ! ! !
Your refashion looks exactly identical to the one for $158. I actually prefer yours as the color and darts give it a crisp look. The yellow color and the one straight seam on the back of the other keep it feeling robey still. Did you see the one for sale first and copy it, or did you make yours and then find the advertised one after?
Nice refashion- identical to the vintage fashion.
Absolutely gorgeous!
It really does look the expensive version!!
I love the darts on the back.
Love watching the upstyle step by step! Looks really great and the colour is so becoming!
Now that is really a great upcycle – free fabric and you transformed it from an indoor garment to an outdoor coat. Outstanding!