What fabric do you guys use for Jedi robes?

Hey. I made mine out of suedecloth, and really like it, but I guess the real robes were made from wool, right? What did everyone else use to make their's?

 

I think it's some kind of very expensive Indian Weave if you want to be official. I've seen everything from cotton blends to wool, I think someone even made one out of burlap!

 

i have seen jedi robes made from everything from polyester to wool. it depends on where you live. in a cold climate, heavy material is good. in a warm climate, lighter material is better unless it breathes such as what i used..chocolate brown cotton brushed denim. i looked at the weave in a close up of obi-wans robe and it looks pretty much like mine. the problem however is weight. 10 yards is what you need for an outer jedi robe. 10 yards of denim weights quite a bit. i may make a lighter weight one for summer use.

 

The, Robe is the dark brown over garment. Trish Bigger made the ones for the film out of British Army WWII era surplus blankets.

However, people make them out of all types of fabrics, depending on budget, heat tolerance, etc.

Mine is of wool....100% dark brown gabardine.

I've made them, though, out of wool blend, 100% raw silk, and heavy cotton.

It is the tunics that were made of Indian homespun.

 

10 yards would be too much for some people. Usually around 6 or 7 yards will fit most people.

 

Made the way displayed on Amber's site, I'm short (5'2") and 8 yards of 60 inch wide fabric was only enough with some creative layout and cutting of the hood lining. The sleeves and hood are HUGE. The body of the robe is voluminous. Anything less doesn't give the right drape and look.

 

I agree that 8 yards is minimum for most people. I'm 5'7" and used 8 1/2 yards. Anything less does not give the right fullness.

It's the same with the royal guard robes. You can squeeze out a robe from 6 yards or so, but they don't drape right and they don't flow right. The extra yardage makes all the difference.

 

VillieGee,

They'er all right. it depends on your areas climate, your budget and how you want it to look.
I use cotton Osenburg and linen guaze for the unders, and raw Silk for the overs since finding Indian homespun would be next to impossible and these in my opinion look, drape and breath MUCH better. I may try some linen to see how it looks.

I've one tunic that is a Japanese Haori coat I'd found for $5 at a garage sale NO damage. I use it as a dress tunic. It's a silk fabric too, and lined w/ a silk, drapes nice, looks and feels nice. and I get LOADS of compliments.

My over robe is a polyester b/c I live in a tropical region. A wool one would be quite horrid to wear in Florida. I'm 5' tall and 8 yards is perfect for me. 10 I'd probably fly away if the wind blew.

Go herefor the cream or black raw silk or linen tunic fabric. JoAnn's and Micheal's works for any cotton's you'd like.

Go here for Raw silk in other colors.

I found a shade for Butler Swan's Over tunic in this place. A "Celery' shade. It took me two years to find that shade.

If you need a robe maker, ViliGee send me a private message and I'll send you his e-mail.

Good luck and post your success.

Mynn

 

How much you need of a fabric can also depend on how much the fabric would shrink. Always pre-wash your fabric before cutting the pieces out.

I managed to make a tall flowing robe from just 4 1/2 yards of a wide heavy wool fabric, creating the pattern out of my creative layout. I have never washed it, and if I have to I will put it for sale afterwards because then it will not fit me any more. Wool does shrink considerably.