Monday, June 3, 2019

McCalls 8338: Vintage Snuggie/Cult Robe

If, after my last post and my York apron post from earlier this year, you still haven't considered joining the cult of Meg and Martha, I urge you peruse the literature below and reconsider your life choices...




Last year I went home to visit my mom and she was wearing the most amazing, comfiest looking garment I had ever seen. I was immediately captivated and knew it would be the best thing that had ever happened to me. 


It was her winter house robe, made from a vintage pattern from her stash. It's McCall's 8338, which is a delightfully crazy "lounge dress" pattern from 1982. Just look at that cover!:


Needless to say, I had to have one, especially after seeing the pattern. I mean, it's effectively an enormous, stylish, vintage Snuggie, perfect for New England winters and drafty old houses! 


I basically begged my mom to indoctrinate me into her vintage pattern cult. "Make It Tonight!," I said to her, as instructed by the pattern cover.



The pattern is a "one-size-fits-all", raglan-sleeved, full-length dress with the shoulders and neckline gathering into a turtleneck or drawstring casing. The billow-y sleeves are elasticized at the wrist.

Mine is full length and my mom's is shortened by a couple of inches.


My mom sewed both versions out of no-pill fleece from Joann for maximum coziness. Her was a clearance rack special, and mine had originally been purchased to make a warm version of Helen's Closet Suki Robe. We were short on fabric for mine, so it has a contrasting turtleneck. Speaking of the turtleneck, it has a pleasantly oversized and cozy shape:


This thing is so, so much fun to wear. I wore mine basically every night after work all winter, much to Tim's dismay. I will admit to not answering the door once because I was wearing it and wasn't quite sure the cult robe was ready for public viewing. Ha!

Thanks, Mom!

PS: Vintage Snuggie Cult meetings are Tuesdays at 6. See you there.