I wanted to use the same fabric I've seen in "spa" robes, a little bit of stiffness, cotton, waffle - but I can't find it in retail. All I can find is a waffle pattern cotton used for utility things which looks to thick and hot.

Do you think a 100% cotton pique would work about the same? I don't like the knit summer robes in stores, too droopy and hot.

Don't you hate as a new sewer when a long project doesn't fit? It was my biggest complaint when I was learning to sew, can't tell you how many hours I spent slaving over a project only to try it on & scream at the money & time lost! (Okay, truth, it still happens occasionally, even w/a pattern I've made before, it's surprising how much fit difference fabric can make). Good luck on the summer version!

i finally finished finished it yesterday and wore it around. I don't like it. Yes its to big but maybe I could live with that but I don't like my experiment with the fabric.
I do like experimenting but this didn't turn out quite right. I still think it was a good idea but I shouldn't have used quilters fabric - but the Moose and Bears with plaid were so cute!
The only flannel I could find was quite thin and almost weightless. i just couldn't see how it would hang down at all. So I got the bright idea to buy double the fabric and have it quilted together. Honestly the baby blue quilted inside with the dark blue bears and moose on a baby blue background on the outside is very cute. I think it looks nice. But the quilting flannel is very stiff and its just not very comfy, especially because its big.
So not only did I buy twice the fabric, and pay to have it quilted, I had 3 private lessons to help me do it (6 hours worth which still wasnt enough time to really do fitting what with pinning, cutting etc). So the most expensive robe EVER:)
I will try to sell it, at a huge loss, on craigslist.