For this Valentine's Day, I want to do something nice for my husband. Although he is a sentimental person, I don't want to buy items that will later become just shelf clutter. I'd rather get him something sentimental that he would use.
I decided to make him a lounging set! Now my husband is a sporty, manly-man, military type, and there would never be a time when he would say, "Hey Emileigh, I'd love a fancy lounging set." However... What guy wouldn't like to hang around the house looking like the Dos Equis man?
I decided on a black silky robe and shorts set. While it is entirely possible to find these things in stores, they are a bit more expensive than my budget allowed. I decided to make them myself.
Recently at Joann there were several pattern sales, so I picked up this one for men that included a robe and shorts all in one for just $1.99. Patterns like this one are plentiful, so it's easy to find cheap ones to use.
As far as the fabric goes, I HATE sewing with silky fabrics... but I love how they feel as a finished product. I went with a polyester flannel-backed satin. The flannel makes it a bit easier to work with, and the polyester makes it machine washable. (I couldn't imagine my husband ever hand washing a lounging garment.)
I'd HUGELY recommend cutting out the long, silky fabric pieces with a rotary cutter. Besides that, the rest of the garment came together really easily. I used French seams on everything to make it extra durable and luxurious.
A silky robe and shorts set is nice, but a personalized set is even better! Even if you decide to skip sewing your own set, I would definitely still suggest personalizing it. I used mending tape to monogram both pieces with my husband's initials. It's a super easy, no-sew option I talked about in my last post.
I put both pieces in a shirt box with some tissue paper and a card on top, and voila! Gift done!
Although I made this for my husband, a set like this would be a good gift for a father, brother, or other man in your life. You could winterize it and make/buy a flannel set, or personalize it further by using a particular sports, TV show, movie, or other motif the guy is a fan of.
If you'd like to sew your own, here are some resources to help (these are the supplies I used):
flannel back satin
mending tape
robe pattern
If you'd rather skip the sewing, here are some items available and ready to buy:
Robes: Soho Plaid Robe | Herringbone Stripe Silk Robe | Cotton Robe
Bottoms: Silk Charmeuse shorts | Lounge Pants
Sets: Cotton Jersey Pajama set | Silk Charmeuse PJ set
Do you have any men in your life that are difficult to buy for? What are some of your "gifting tactics" for them?
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Yes, men are hard to shop for! My hubby is sooo hard! He always wants "cool gadgety things" but never really uses them. Plus his birthday is in February and I have never recovered from decided on a Christmas present before his birthday rolls around.
ReplyDeleteThis lounging set turned out so nice and if I thought my hubby would actually wear something like this, I'd be at the fabric store in a flash. (but I may have to make one for myself ;) )
I made my husband a new smoking jacket with a matching flannel sleep mask (he works nights/sleeps days) for Christmas this year and he adores it. He's worn it so much he's already torn off one of the thread carriers for the belt only a month in. These turned out really nicely! I have a pattern for some 1940s mens french boxers that I really want to make in a gorgeous silk.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds awesome! Way to go in making a gift that's spot-on perfect for him!
DeleteWhat an absolutely darling thing to make for your hubby, he is going to be so thrilled to be lounging around in something so glamorous - it's not just for girls!! You are very talented. I can imagine silky fabric is hard to work with though. x
ReplyDeleteIt is a bit tricky, but flannel backing on this one makes it easier.trust me, if I can do it, you deff can! Silky things are my sewing nemeses
DeleteWhat a thoughtful, romantically lovely gift.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica