This robe was a quick project we came up with after finding some great knitted fabric on clearance. We thought we'd do something different for first weekend of the Texas Renaissance Festival this year. So, we're hosting a Monty Python Invasion. (I'm amazed how the interest in our event took off! Already have 80+ people listed as going and many more interested! ) Should be a blast. You can join our event here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1641099259548673
If anyone is interested in making these quick and easy robes, here is the pattern layout I used:
The robes took a total of 105" of 60-inch wide fabric. I set it up so that we could take advantage of the unique ratty looking selvage edges to avoid having to hem. If you're unsure how it goes together, feel free to ask questions in the comments.
We also put together some reversible silly walk signs made with knights that we will have posted around camp. I designed the sign in Adobe Illustrator before printing on cardstock and affixing them to paintsticks with staples and spray adhesive. (If you'd like the digital files to print your own, just message me.)
Still hoping to get some knight's surcoats made, too. Wish me luck and time! :)
We used your pattern for Hunchback of Notre Dame Leon Performing arts because it used the fabric the most wisely. Thank you!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHere is our trailer. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bzwci4ZChwtkSDdtTnc3dFM2YlU/view
Machelle, so happy you shared your experience with the pattern! Your robes look great! Whole show looks amazing! Awesome job!
ReplyDeleteWould so love some basic instructions �� I’m a bit of a sewing novice and am a wee bit lost!
ReplyDeleteHi, Pamela. Best I can describe it is to cut out the pieces and sew in this order (right sides together):
ReplyDeleteRobe
1. The two back pieces together down the middle.
2. The front and back together at the shoulder only.
3. The arm on at the shoulder across the shoulder seam.
4. The underarm gussets and pockets on to the side of of the fronts and backs as shown by the pic on the top right of the pattern.
5. Line the sides up and pin in place. Sew down the sleeve all the way around the gusset and pocket and down the rest of the side to the end. Do the same for the other side.
6. Turn right side out and that is it!
Hood
1. Sew the hood together down the curved side stopping at the corner and leaving the straight sides open.
2. Sew the straight side with the seam to the hole in the shoulder portion.
3. Turn right side out and done!
Hope this helps. Sorry I don't have any illustrated instructions. :( If you have questions, I'm happy to answer them.
What's the measurement for the neck opening and also shoulder to shoulder?
DeleteThank you soooo much!! I really appreciate you taking the time to explain 😀😀
ReplyDeleteGood Morning! I'm so happy to find your pattern for the Monks Robes. I will be making the robes for our upcoming production of Spamalot. Can you advise as to what is the best material to use? Machelle, what material did you use? Could they be laundered? I loved how they flowed, but yet kept their shape too!
ReplyDeleteThank you in advance for any help you can send my way.
Anita Claud
Hello, Anita. I imagine originally monk robes would have been made from scraps of wool or linen fabrics, which would be too costly now. We found a rather thick knobbly cotton knit (don't know what to call it) in a clearance at a fabric warehouse. Also, consider the climate wear you are performing. A thin fleece or medium weight faux linen could work. I hope you find something suitable.
ReplyDeleteTiffany
Hi, I"m in the process of sewing the robes and have a few questions...
ReplyDelete1) at the shoulder seam...how big of a seam is it?
2) How much of a seam allowance did you allow once you started sewing?
3) You pin the sleeves, gussets, and pockets to the front and back?
4) Are these initially pullover robes? I'm needing to modify for a hard change that will enable the actor to use more like a snuggly with velcro on the back.
I'm sorry, but I'm a very visual person, lol! Any additional help would be awesome! Thank you.
No problem. Happy to answer where I can. :)
ReplyDelete1 & 2. I used 3/4" seam allowance. But, it will mostly depend on what type of fabric you use and how much it unravels. This pattern doesn't really require great accuracy or precision. :)
3. Sorry, I was unclear in my previous instructions. You will sew the gusset triangles to both sided of each sleeve before sewing the sleeves to the body. I forgot that part. But, the pocket gets sewn to the body just under or up to a couple inches below the sleeve gusset. You will go around the pocket when sewing the front to the back on the side seams
4. Yes, I made pullovers, but there should be plenty of room for most in this over-sized garment to be able to leave it open and velcro.
Hope you get it figured out without too much trouble.
That really helps me a lot. It confirmed what I was thinking as I was trying to piece it all together. And also a very good reminder how forgiving the pattern is.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!!
You're very welcome. If there are other questions, I will try to answer them.
ReplyDeleteHope the production is a huge success!
Could I please get the monk robe pattern please
ReplyDeleteHello, I wanted to have a monk robe for my druid costume for a pagan theme birthday party. I found out your blogpost and pattern. Basically only one I could find on the internet (and I did not have a problem to pay for it). It was a bit hard to work out the rest of the measurements that are not specified in the pattern image but I was able to compute them with the help of a ruler and some basic math :D. Fortunately, everything was drawn out in scale. The robe turned out great, fit well and I was able to finish it under four hours (my wife helped me to setup sawing machine which I did not use since basic school practical class :D). You can see the photos here: https://imgur.com/a/sAqSoOB. Thank you for the great pattern! You helped me a lot!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this pattern. Perfect for a beer brewing/drinking monk.
ReplyDeleteDoes the hood attach to the inside round opening of the cowl or to the robe neck? Just trying to figure out how that part works. Thank you for the pattern.
ReplyDeleteThe hood/cowl is a separate piece, so you would sew the hood to the neck hole of the cowl. If you wanted, you could omit the cowl and sew the hood to the robe, or even sew them all together in one garment. It's completely up to you. :)
ReplyDeleteHI, I took you pattern to make my own Monk Costume, and here is what it came out.
ReplyDeleteWonderful!!
Very easy to understad pattern and sewing steps, I did have to make some math to make everything fits together and my fabrib wasn't 60 inches long, so I forgot about the pockets, but lenght is pretty good also. ( I'm a 5'5" women and the 54 inches long fabric was a good fit too)
Very happy with the result, I will alsow take this model, modify it and do something else for my son's costume. Thanks a lot !!
Christine, that is great! So glad it was useful to you. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with it!
ReplyDeleteMieljolie
This is just what my husband is looking for but I can’t locate the pattern cab you please point me in the right direction? I’m sure I’m just missing something. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you! My son wants to be a wizard this year for Halloween (from video game Noida that has a kinda plain 8-bit feel to it)and this helped immensely. The Monty Python Invasion sounds awesome. Bet you all had fantastic fun :^)
ReplyDeleteHello- I like your pattern. Is there a downloadable version or one that has the dimensions so I can create a pattern?
ReplyDeleteLilly, you can click the patter image to enlarge it. You should be able to read the included dimensions on it then.
ReplyDeleteTiffany (mieljolie)
Anon, I'm not certain what it ended up, but you should adjust the opening the size necessary to fit over the widest part of head. You can just leave it a slit in the seam or cut it more round in front or both front/back to widen. Or, you can make a keyhole style, by making a vertical slit down the front to widen (this could be closed back up with laces, etc...). You have lots of options. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, the shoulder on ours turned our about 18+ inches across. It was calculated as a third of the 55" length piece of fabric in front. The back piece is in two pieces at about 9+ inches each side. Hoping this explanation helps.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite a noob at this, but may I ask about the back portion of the robe? Which side is supposed to be connected to the front part when you meant "together at the shoulder"? The narrow end (the one with the blackened arcs) or the flared end?
ReplyDeleteHi, Jayberwocky! I like the name. :)
ReplyDeleteWe all have to start somewhere. No prob. The "black arcs" are supposed to represent the neck hole. You can leave this open as a slit across, or cut it off to make it a bit wider/rounder. But, yes, you only sew the front to the back across at each shoulder, leaving the neck opening arc unsewn to put your head through.
Okay! I think I'm starting to have a clearer picture on which parts to sew/connect/etc. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteThe username was a play with my name and the jabberwocky in Alice in Wonderland. :) Thanks for replying! <3