Robes
As has been discussed in the pages on beginning rituals, your ritual robes is part of the preparation and a separation from every day life. So where do you get one from. There aren't many sites that you can actually purchase them from. I have only found three which are listed at the bottom of this page. My first robe I bought from a Gothic shop and is a dress rather than a traditional robe but as it is dedicated to my magickal workings, it feels right. My second one I bought from an on-line site (which I won't mention but I wont list either) and was very disappointed at the craftsmanship was very poor, especially at the price they charged for it! I have three robes in total of different colours for different magick work but this is personal choice.
So what other avenues are there? Make it yourself? The patterns that are around for medieval type robes are few in number. Style TM and McCall TM do one but I have come across and even simpler pattern that you can make yourself. It is a one size fits all which makes things a lot easier. My thanks to Scotican Tradition for this.
Your robe can be made from cotton, wool, silk, penne velvet in any colour you choose. You might want to look at the colour section to see the different meanings of colour.
The back and front
of this robe are the same for simplicity. You'll
need a length of fabric 36
to 45
in. wide and as long as TWICE the distance from the top of your shoulder to your
feet. For example, if your body is 5
feet tall, then you will need 10
feet of fabric, or 31/3
yards. The pattern
below shows the important measurements you will need. The only alteration you
will have to make is the length and alter accordingly. This pattern has only two
seams: under arm seem following down the sides unless you are using patterned
material but that is explained below.
Fold the fabric into quarters: once across (width), and once the long way (lengthwise). Make sure it's even, and that all 4 edges are together. Pin the material together to stop it slipping before you start cutting.
If
you have chosen a material with a pattern, there's an extra step here you'll
need to do. Cut across the width at midpoint, turn one half around and with the
right sides facing, seam the 2 edges together. The seam will become the
shoulder-and-sleeve seam of the finished robe, instead of the seamless top line
made by folding. Be SURE the upper ends of the design face TOWARD this seam!
In
the upper left hand corner of the fabric you folded into quarters, measure 3
inches diagonally from the edge. Make a quarter circle with a colored
pencil on the fabric. Now cut it out, following the curved line you just made.
This makes the scoop of the neck.
Measure 10
inches down from the outside edge (selvage), and make a mark with your colored
pencil. This is part of your sleeve.
Measure 18
inches down from the top and make a mark with your colored pencil. This is your
waist.
Measure 3
inches up from the bottom along the outside (selvage) edge and make a mark with
your colored pencil. This is your hem. Draw a line (essentially a sharp 45
degree angle) from the 3
inch hem mark up to the 18
waist mark. Stop. Altering this angle could either make the waist too small or
the sleeves to short.
Now draw a wide gentle curve from the 18
inch waist out to the 10 inch sleeve mark. Remember, this is your sleeve, so the
more generous you make this curve, the more roomy your sleeve will be. You need
every inch you can allow to raise your arms above your head for rituals.
Now cut along the lines you just made. Unfold the robe. It should look just like
the one in figure 2.
Now all you have to do is sew up the sides, hem the neck and edges of the sleeves and make the hem. You could add trim if you want. If you use a sewing machine, then hand sew a small part of your robe to empower it with your creative force.
You now have a simple robe. If you want to be creative, you could add a hood, make a sash for it or embroider designs on your robe. That is entirely up to you!
Sites
that you can buy Robes from:
you will need to E-mail Starbright for more details as they aren't on the site yet.
http://www.newmoonoccultshop.com
http://mywitchshop.com/Pagan_Wiccan_Ritual_Clothing/index.shtml
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