Choir Robe Fabric
gann...@radix.net
I have to make a choir robe (in a hurry). I have (discontinued)
Butterick patterns 3819 and 3820. The patterns call for crepe,
poplin, cotton broadcloth, satin and challis. However, I'm not sure
which fabric to use. (The patterns can also double as clerical robes
too). I want something that won't be too hot. Does anyone have any
suggestions?
Thanks,
Regina
Martin Boyle
As a clergyman myself I've seen or used many of these materials
over the years myself
Crepe if it's the very light type will hold wrinkles and will
stick to
itself and any underlying clothes if charged (static) and picks up lint.
Poplin the polished on one side was by far the most used as it
held it's shape and did not pick up too many wrinkles, or lint. This was
for many years the material used for alterboy and priests cassocks. Very
good wearability.
Cotton Broadcloth while it looks nice does wrinkle rather easily
and holds stains especially around the neck and wrists. Usually used in
white for for albs, surplices and cotta. Needs a lot of care and ocasional
starching. Can be very hot wearing
Satin FORGET too heavy, noisy, wrinkly. If stained it's
ruined.
Challis seems to be comming into it's own in Alter vestments
especially those used in the apostolic churches. I have used one or two
when officiating at other parishes or ministries; that seemed to hang and
move with me but I don.t know about the wearability of them.
Hope that this helps you
MARTIN +
ps I've been looking for some of the same patterns as your
using,
if you ever find a source for copies please let me know. M+
gann...@radix.net wrote in article <356d484...@news1.radix.net>...
Pat Wilson
gann...@radix.net wrote:
>
> I have to make a choir robe (in a hurry). I have (discontinued)
> Butterick patterns 3819 and 3820. The patterns call for crepe,
> poplin, cotton broadcloth, satin and challis. However, I'm not sure
> which fabric to use. (The patterns can also double as clerical robes
> too). I want something that won't be too hot. Does anyone have any
> suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
> Regina
Regina,
I don't know what those patterns look like. I know that I used a now
discontinued Butterick pattern to make my ex's cassock (yipes!! a
million keyhole buttonholes) and surplice. For the cassock, I used
"Trigger", a widely available sport-weight poly/cotton. It drapes well,
has plenty of body, washes easily with little or not ironing. The
surplice was made of poly-cotton broadcloth. You could also use batiste.
I have also made choir robes from a pattern from one of the liturgical
supply places - Almy, I think. The cloth they supplied with the kit was
obviously the same "Trigger" I had used for the cassock. It worked great
for the female members of the choir - who frequently wore only a slip
underneath. If the church was cold, we wore street clothes underneath.
If it was REALLY hot, the trigger is a bit warm worn over clothes. But
overall I feel the trigger is ideal for a robe (full length).
For a shorter "over the robe" garment - cotta or surplice, plain white
poly/cotton broadcloth is cheap and hard to beat.
What I'd advise avoiding:
1. rayon!!! Will need dry-cleaning, wrinkles very badly.
2. linen!!! Wrinkles badly and difficult to iron.
3. 100 polyester anything. Our acolytes use albs of a heavy linen weave
polyester. It's hot. The white yellows with age. Grease spots never come
out.
4. Really light-weight blends - will be cool, but won't drape right.
Good luck finding separating zippers that are the right color!!!!
Pat Wilson
Paula A. Johnson
Butterick's cassock pattern 6765 is available by special order, but the
maximum chest measurement is only 40 inches. You have to re-draft it for
larger sizes. Not fun. PJ
Margaret
gann...@radix.net wrote in article <356d484...@news1.radix.net>...
> I have to make a choir robe (in a hurry). I have (discontinued)
> Butterick patterns 3819 and 3820. The patterns call for crepe,
> poplin, cotton broadcloth, satin and challis. However, I'm not sure
> which fabric to use. (deleted part of message)
I want something that won't be too hot. Does anyone have any
> suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
> Regina
>
> Cotton broadcloth, will probably be the coolest of the fabric mentioned.
Satin or challlis will be too warm. The natural fibers will breath, and
therefore will be cooler. Margaret
gann...@radix.net
Thanks for the input.
I don't know why Butterick discontinued those patterns. I would have
thought they would be very popular. I'm glad I bought them when
I did.
By the way, I bought some polyester crepe de chine at Wal-Mart for
only $2.47. I didn't want to make a huge investment since I plan only
to wear the robe 4 times.
Bobby Ann Loper (THEATRE)
Would you please post the address etc. for Almy? This sounds like a
source that I need to know about. Every once in a while we need to make
church garments for a show. Thank you.
Bobby Ann Loper Costume Studio
Univ.of S. FL TAR 220 Phone: (813) 974-9181
4202 E. Fowler Fax: (813) 974-4122
Tampa, FL 33620-5452 EMAIL: lo...@satie.arts.usf.edu
EttaPlace
I helped my friend make some last summer and
we used lightweight black gabardine. Everyone seems
very pleased with how they look. We didn't use zippers tho.
We used velcro and all but one person said they really like
how the velcro does.
Of course that one person I think was a little el miffed
at not being asked to help with the sewing but she's getting
just a little big for her britches now that she always gets to
sing the solo in "Nearer Our God to Thee".
Teri in HN
Last Christmas I saw some beautiful choir robes on different groups on TV. One
set of robes were in royal blue with silver V shaped inserts on the front. Good
luck !
Teri (In the South Shore of Boston)
"Where are we going, and why am I in this basket?"