If you’re just starting on your transitional wardrobe, a good place to begin is cardigans and shawls. Everyone can use more layers as the weather turns a bit more crisp and having an easy project that can be made with a variety of fabrics is a great help. For today’s gorgeous autumn layer, we’ll be showing you how to take our Aralia Shawl free sewing pattern and manipulate it to fit your style needs!
Purchase Materials Used Below:
- 2.5 yards Black Reptilian Burnout Velvet
- Ribbon
- MDF001 – The Aralia Shawl Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
Alternative Recommended Fabrics:
All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise stated. See chart below for sizing specifications. Note, this specific pattern is available up to a size 30.
As far as sewing projects go, this one is super simple and can be altered very easily. The Aralia Shawl is mainly just a rectangle of fabric cut up the center front halfway and sewn up 80″ of the sides. For the velvet burnout one above, I skipped the sleeves and tied some ribbon at the waist for a bit more shape.
If you’d like to skip the pattern and try creating your own robe, fold your fabric like the graphic above. The wider your fabric, the longer your “sleeves” will be. The longer your fabric yardage, the longer your shawl will be as a whole. Mine used 3 yards to almost let it graze the floor, whereas the 2 yards the original Aralia Shawl calls for will fall around your knees.
Will you be giving a shawl like this a try? Let me know what kind of fabrics you’re considering in the comments below!
I’m thinking about doing this in a “minky” fleece to wear as a warm robe at home. I bought the fabric on clearance, though. I have enough, but its in two pieces-one of which has some damage. If I do use this pattern i’ll need to carefully piece it and be mindful of the nap!
As we head into the holiday season I was thinking some heavier fabrics with a braid binder of gold/silver.
Definitely giving this one a try! Thank you!
I have an old slate gray botanical print duvet cover that is just BEGGING to be repurposed as a fabulous robe, lined with powder blue peachskin for a little added weight and coziness.
This is amazing.I am making my my self,stepdaughter and granddaughter matching caftans for Christmas and this is the perfect pattern.Thank you for sharing.
Love it! Can’t wait.
I’m so excited! I just made this! I’m 5’3″ so the fabric”width” was the perfect length for me. I used 2 yards and folded the length into thirds! This way it’s already cut down the middle. Sewed up the neck and cut out armholes. I’m so new to sewing and definitely not a fan of seams so I left the selvege on and turned it in.
I made a robe of cotton voile and I made a normal kaftan of linen crepe underneath and it’s the perfect breezy summer wear. The linen crepe isn’t the prettiest… Maybe it’s my sewing skills but I wanted linen to be touching my body. Tie it all together at the under bust. And it’s the perfect way to beat the southern heat!!!