Buying fabric by the yard, how long?

[sulla]

OK, using 45"-50" wide fabric bolt (not wool) how much fabric (yardage) should I buy to make a good "test" cloak for my upcoming Old Ben Kenobi Robe before I tackle nicer fabrics?

Thanks!

[TheMadSeamstress]

You'll be fairly safe using 6 yards, so long as it IS at least 50 inches wide. I suggest you try to find some low-cost plain muslin and experiment with that before venturing into the pricy realms.

You DO know to steer clear of anything polyester for the final product, right? "Disco Jedi" just is NOT cool! ;D (This includes flannel, felt, and robe fleece.)

I generally consume 5.33 yards of fabric making an average size Jedi robe with uber-wide sleeves and XL-hood, but then I've custom drafted/designed a pattern for it.

The trick for me is to lay the fabric out full length, flat, then fold it so you're working with a 50-inch wide length. Place the top of the hood along the fold, so you won't have a center seam over your forehead. Lay your sleeve piece next to it. The rest of the fabric: lay out the body of the Jedi robe with the wide ends of the hems opposite each other. My robes are based on a cloak pattern, making them extra full so when layed out they fit like jigsaw puzzle pieces

Dang it. It makes more sense to see a picture of this. Sorry!

Some of the patterns on other sites and those adopted from commercial patterns are rather wastful of fabric. Wasted fabric means less of it went into making the robe real full.

It's in my own best interest to make sure that every inch counts, so I designed a pattern of my own that works. It's really, really full, and I have only small pieces left when I'm done, maybe just a couple square feet total for waste.

If you'd like to know what measurements you'll need, just go to the "Measurements" page on my website for tips. I've even got a "McGyver" section telling you how to take measurements when you don't have a helpful assistant. If you've lost the ol' tape measure, I tell how to improvise with a yardstick and string!

Best,

[glow=red,2,300]The Mad Seamstress,

http://www.mystikmerchant.com[/glow]

[Jauhzmynn Enz]

hehe disco Jedi. LOL
Now were will I find material that's 50Inches wide? I've ben lucky to find fabric that 40ish something wide.

[TheMadSeamstress]

Argh.

Unless you're near a good sized town, you may have to order on-line. Don't buy anything less than "10 oz" weight in cotton or it will be too thin. (5-7 oz is like shirting fabric. 10 oz is like blue jeans fabric. And yes, you can find brown and black denim and it works just great!)

Write for samples first, as it will save you a bundle. With fabrics you really do have to look and feel the stuff to make the right choice.

I'm lucky as there is a sizable warehouse complex near me that sells fabrics in bulk to the public. We buy the stuff in 50-80 yard rolls when we find the right color/weight!

If you're in Dallas, that is on Perth Street just off Harry Hines. Don't go there at night when the surrounding strip joints are in full operation. It makes a typical dark alley on Tatooine look like a church at high noon.

You can try quilting stores and there is a Jo-Ann's fabrics on-line and in many towns. Heck, I've gotten some pretty good fabrics at ol' Walmart!

Take your time cybershopping and check a LOT of sellers out throughly before picking one. Try to always get samples first.

Best,

[glow=red,2,300] The Mad Seamstress

www.mystikmerchant.com
[/glow]
P.S. of course, you could always save yourself a lot of trouble and just buy one from me! ;D LOL!

Some Jedi do that, since after they add up how much time & $$'s they'll spend making their own, they find ours cost less & they get it in about a week.

Plug over now! ;D

[Jauhzmynn Enz]

You're defiantly right Mad Seamstress. Yours are a lot cheaper already made then it'd be for me to purchase the fabric.

If I had the credits to get any. I'd grab two. Bothbeing the wool version. One with sleeves, the other without.
Is the price the same for a sleevess varient? (Same lengthto the floer just no sleeves.)

[TheMadSeamstress]

I'd have to see a picture of the sleeveless variation, since I've only made the sleeved robes.

Unfortunately I'm totally out of Melton wool. Being at the mercy of my suppliers, I bought all that they had, and it went fast. All gone.

I have that same situation with the cotton yardage I have in stock, which is why I encourage people to buy now while I've got it, the stuff may not be there later. The cotton ones do look VERY good, and they cost less than the wools. I have standing orders with the suppliers that as soon as they get in black or brown in the tones & right weight to call me so I can come get it. So far, nada. They are, in turn, at the mercy of THEIR suppliers!

I was told by one of them that the jeans factory that used to send them stuff was shut down, the business closed and shifted to Mexico, Taiwan, and China because of all the cheap sewing labor. I personally think Palpatine is behind this nefarious scheme to put me out of business, but I have no direct proof.

*sigh* If only Obi Wan would stop by and hear my plight, I'm sure HE would find a way to help me....!

Of course, where *I* come from such listening ceremonies require the use of a hot tub and the liberal consumption of margaritas. ;D

[glow=red,2,300]The Mad Seamstress

http://www.mystikmerchant.com[/glow]

[Jauhzmynn Enz]

hehe.
Ahh simple.
It's put together the same way, same legnth, just no sleeves. Even the armholes are the same.

[TheMadSeamstress]

I'd have to see a picture of it, because to me a robe with no sleeves is a cloak!

I sell those, too, and they cost a lot less than the robes. Unless it's the "Anakin" cloak, which is a tricky critter to make because of all the hand tailoring I put in.

If you've a picture or link to a clear pic of this sleeveless version could you e-mail it direct to me? I've not had any requests for one, and would like to be prepared should anyone like to order it.

Best--

[glow=red,2,300]The Mad Seamstress

http://www.mystikmerchant.com[/glow]

[sulla]

Thanks for all the useful tips Mad Seamstress. I Have watched your site for a long time now and have entertained the idea of getting one of your GREAT robes, but I want mine to be spot on to Old Ben Kenobi's from the first film, and after many MANY hours of research and destroying my eyes watching ANH over and over again, I am ready to try my hand at the muslin robe.

I've been sewing costumes (mostly SCA stuff) for about 6 years now, so that's not a problem. After I tackled fitted braes and wool hosen cut on the bias with integral foot sock, I am ready to tackle almost any sewing projects!