How to make your own jedi robe, from drafting, to finishing.
What you will need
• Scissors
• Tape Measure
• Mock up fabric
• Marker / pen / pencil
• Paper
Instructions
Step 1
Using the tape measure, take the measurement from your shoulder to the floor, and write it down. Multiply this number by four. This is the full amount you will need for the body of the robe, minus the hood of course. If your fabric is 140cm – 150cm wide, then you will most likely be able to get a hood out of the excess fabric. If your fabric is only 112cm wide, then you will need to order an extra 60cm – 70cm to make a single layer hood, double that if you wish to line it with the same fabric. Depending on your height and the width of your fabric, you will probably need at least 6m – 7m of fabric.
Step 2
Take the measurement from your shoulder to the floor, and multiply it by two. Cut a piece to this length, and lay out on your cutting area, folded lengthways. One of the selvedge edges will be your centre back seam, the other will be the cuffs of your sleeve, and the fold will be your shoulder. Note that there is no shoulder seam, nor a sleeve seam. It will be cut out as one piece, much like a medieval tunic.
Step 3
Measure from the centre of your back, to your fingertips. Add a little for a sleeve cuff, and write this figure down. This measurement will likely be between 85cm – 100cm. Cut your fabric to this width.
Step 4
Draw the shape you want your robe to be onto your mock up fabric, and cut, like you see below. Cut out a small piece in the top left hand corner to allow for your neck. Allow enough space under the arm so that the robe fits loosely, and you can move in it easily. My underarm seam is approximately 39cm (15 inches) below the shoulder, and the same in from the centre back seam.
Step 5
Next, you can draw an approximate curve to the outer edge, and cut. This will need to be adjusted again once you are wearing it. The sides hang down quite a lot, but can only be adjusted for the person who will be wearing it.
Step 6
Cut out another piece for the other side, and pin the two body pieces together in the centre back seam. Check that it all fits correctly, and make any alterations if necessary. Once you have finalised your body pattern, you can cut out your good fabric, remembering to place the top of your pattern on the fold, with the right sides together.
Step 7
Pin from the sleeves down the sides to the bottom, and sew together.
Step 8
Pin and sew the centre back seam, right sides together.
Step 9
You are then left with the open front that you will need to finish of neatly. Fold and press each side under twice, and machine sew.
Step 10
Pin and press the sleeves under, and handsew.
Step 11
Draft your hood by measuring a piece - 110cm (43") long by 56cm (22") wide. You can cut it larger if you would like a larger hood and you have enough fabric. Fold it in half, so that you have a piece approximately 56cm (22") by 56cm (22"), with the fold at the top. Then draw a curve on corner like in the photo below. Then cut the corner off. You now have your pattern.
Step 12
Now you can cut it out in your good fabric. The right hand side is left open, as this is the front opening of your hood, and the bottom edge is where you will attach it to the body of your robe.
Step 13
The fold across the top is the top of your hood, you will sew a seam down from the start of the curve on the top, down the back.
Step 14
As you did in Step 9, with the open front, you will need to finish the hood opening in the same manner. Fold and press under twice, and machine sew.
Step 15
The bottom edge of the hood will need to be overlocked, or serged to stop it from fraying as you work with it in the next step. You might also want to do the same with the neckline of the body of the robe. Your hood will look something like the picture below.
Step 16
Next you will need to finish off the inside seam, as it will be visible when you have the hood down. Pin under the edges, and handsew, so that it looks like this:
Step 17
Next, you will need to gather the bottom of the hood, so that it fits onto the body of the robe. Start my measuring in 10cm (4") from each edge of the hood, as below.
Step 18
Using a strong thread, stitch loosely very close to the bottom edge in between the two marks you have just made.
Step 19
Pin into the neckline, and gather in evenly.
Step 20
Once you have it pinned in place, sew along the edge to attach the hood.
Step 21
Cut out a strip of fabric approximately 3cm wide, and long enough to cover the neckline.
Step 22
Pin this to the inside of the neckline, with the bottom edge in line with the existing seam.
Step 23
Sew along the edge, and remove the pins.
Step 24
Fold the strip inwards, and pin to the inside of the robe.
Step 25
Handsew in place.
Step 26
Pin the hem up and handsew.
