Whenever I plan a vacation, I always have big plans to do a glamorous photoshoot with a new make during the trip. It rarely happens, but for my trip to Thailand, I was determined. I’ve never been a light packer, but I knew that for my two-week trip, space in my luggage was at a premium. The robes I already had were either too bulky to travel with or too sexy for a trip with friends. I knew I wanted something colorful, lightweight, and cute enough for a hotel photoshoot during my trip to Chiang Mai. The Seamwork Quince Robe with cotton batik fabric from Minerva seemed like the perfect choice. Is there anything better than wearing batik for a first-time trip to Southeast Asia?
I’ve made Quince before in a silky viscose challis. For this version, I used a beautiful multicolored cotton batik fabric from Minerva. The fabric immediately caught my eye because of its bold, intricate print and the way the colors felt so perfectly suited for a tropical getaway. Batik has such a beautifully handmade quality to it, and I knew it would make a robe that felt special without being overly complicated.
The cotton batik worked really well with the pattern. It has enough structure to show off the robe’s shape while still being comfortable and breathable in the warm Thai weather. And, of course, the print did most of the work when it came to making the finished garment look dramatic! I actually made this robe specifically for a photoshoot at our hotel swimming pool. Chiang Mai might not be the first place that comes to mind when you picture poolside glamour, but once I saw the vibes of the hotel online, I knew the Quince was going to fit right in. The combination of the colorful batik, the hotel pool, and the tropical surroundings made the perfect backdrop.
There’s also something really fun about wearing something you made while traveling. It turns an outfit into a sort of souvenir, but one that you actually get to wear. Every time I look at these photos, I’m going to remember not only Chiang Mai but also the process of choosing the fabric, sewing the robe, packing it into my suitcase, and finally getting to wear it in the exact setting I imagined. This project was definitely a reminder that sewing doesn’t always have to be about everyday wardrobe staples. Sometimes you need to make something just because you have a vision for a moment—and this colorful Quince robe was made for one of those moments.
