In our next ambassador post we welcome Emma who has made a completely wonderful Named Lahja Robe out of our double gauze. Over to Emma:

Hello All, I’m Emma aka @SewDoItEmma over on Instagram. I’m still pinching myself that I’m writing up a blog post for Backstitch - It’s an absolute honour as I’ve been a big fan for many years.  As well as that - what a line up of talented seamstresses I’m with, humbled doesn’t quite cover it but I’m truly thankful for a wonderful opportunity that I have been given.

I had quite a few ideas for my first blog but I finally settled on making the “Lahja” Dressing Robe from Named Patterns and I had been keen on it since another fabric shop featured it with cotton waffles in a kit a few years ago. But I was too slow and the kits sold out - never-mind, in a way the planets kinda aligned and here we are!

The Lahja comes in a decent size range. So the size range is XS-XXL and goes to a 139cm Hips but there’s a decent amount of ease between that and the finished garment measurements which is 158cm. I went with the XXL size for the hips but graded out from XL for the bust with a French curve.  It’s a common adjustment I do for most patterns.

Ok, now the fabric. I am so spoiled for choice and was swaying between the waffle cotton and the double gauze but reading the fabric suggestions on the back of the pattern envelope, I was tempted by the linen too, how many Dressing Robes is too many? In the end I chose the double gauze in a plain colour - Rose. I was tempted by a pattern in the double gauze but I think with the plain colour, it will stand the test of time and will hopefully age well.

Now with double gauze, I don’t iron it after washing it.  This is because if I did, then the garment after washing would be too small because the fabric has been altered or shrunk back to its original state. Trust me, if you like the texture and crumpled look of double gauze don’t iron it. But If you do iron it now, you need to iron it after each wash.

Don’t skimp on fabric requirements as I just about managed all the pieces apart from pockets. The requirements are really precise, hard lessons learnt on this one but it’s not the end of the world. I think my head did a whoopsie as the fabric was 135cm and I should have just gone with the longer length - ah hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn’t it!?

A simple cotton machine needle is required and I had some gutermann thread that matched the fabric perfectly, so now the sewing commences.

Was this a quick sew? Yes - I was flabbergasted how quick this came together and I did this in an afternoon. I literally wore it for the rest of the evening, straight off the machine - how’s that for a recommendation, good - yes?

The instructions were easy to follow as were the diagrams. This was my first time sewing a Named Pattern up and I was really happy with how the instructions were laid out. It’s definitely got me geared up to sew another Named Pattern that’s been on my radar for quite some time, and that’s the Reeta Shirt Dress.

However, there’s one thing that’s missing on the instructions and that’s a simple hanging hook. It’s easy enough to add as just made a tape and halved it lengthwise and made a thin strip sewing it folded lengthwise again.

There was another reason as to why I chose the double gauze and that was because I had seen something very similar on Bedfolk and was like - aye, I can do that with my own hands. Which still surprises me to a tee when I fulfil my vision. This skill and hobby is just wonderful and they never really cease to surprise me as I endeavour another sewing project recreating another look.

Before I go, my final thoughts. I’m really happy with this. It’s a simple make but I’m thinking that the Lahja would be a perfect present for the loved ones in my life. I’ve got one planned for all my nearest and dearest for Christmas because did you know, Lahja means “Gift” in Finnish and it's Gender inclusive - I’m going to be getting my money's worth on this one. I am loving the texture of this fabric, it feels lovely on the skin. Double gauze has layers of cotton and this lets the fabric in a whole breathe but also, the double layers of cotton have some insulating qualities which would work well in the cooler months as layering over pj’s and nighties too. I think this dressing robe is going to get some serious wear as it’s so adaptable for the changing seasons.

Going for this pastel shade of “Rose” has got me all giddy too as pink is quite a popular colour in my colour palette. And it’s also just a wild colour, which is ticking a few boxes when I’m making things these days. Like many of us, we all tend to go head in deep with all the patterns and forget to sew things that would match up existing garments. It’s easily done as this hobby is so joyful and fulfilling.

The fit is really good, there’s no alarm that I will be flashing myself as there is more than enough coverage - PHEW!

Thanks for reading, I really hope you enjoyed this blog post as much as I have sewing this “gift” for myself and writing this blog.

Pattern: Named Clothing Lahja Dressing Gown

Fabric: Double Gauze: Rose

Size: Emma measures Bust 46”, Waist 47”, 58/59” Hips. She made the size XXL on the hips and XL on the bust.

Adjustments: Graded from XXL on the hips to XL for the bust with a French curve.

About Emma:
Emma is based just outside Edinburgh and hasn’t strayed too far from her hometown.  There’s just something magical about Scotland just as there is about creating a wardrobe from your own hands.  Dressmaking isn’t her only creative outlook as Emma dabbles in some silver clay jewellery and loves photography.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/SewDoItEmma/
Website: https://sewdoitemma.com/