Tuesday, February 7, 2017

How to Make Jedi Robes from Curtains - Part 2

Time to sew the Jedi Robes together! (Haven't cut yours out yet? Learn how over at Part 1)

(I made Jedi Robes because my family is super into Star Wars, but you could also use this pattern to make basic wizard robes.)

Reminder - This tutorial is aimed towards making robes for a child, but you could definitely apply the method for a teen or adult as well, you'd just need bigger curtains (or a sheet or bedspread). You could also just start with plain fabric, but then you would need to add hems and it would take longer. The beauty of this layout is NO HEMMING! Yay!

In Part 2, I will show you how to start sewing the pieces together.




First sewing step is stitching the sleeve seam. The bottom of your sleeves should already be hemmed, so you are going to match the hemmed edges up (right sides together), and stitch all the way to the beginning of the armhole curve (as shown below).



If you have a serger, you can finish off this edge as I did, otherwise you can use a pinking sheers (fabric zig-zag scissors) to pink the raw edges.

Flip the sleeve right side out and iron down the seam. Complete the second sleeve the same way.


Next, you need to add a gathering stitch to the curved armhole, so that it can be gathered slightly into the main body piece. This stich is accomplished by setting your machine to the longest straight stitch, and sewing two seams along the edge of your sleeve curved edge (single layer of fabric, you aren't stitching it to anything). Leave long tails at the end of each seam!


Next, you are going to sew the hood pieces together. Line up the pieces right sides together, and pin down the curved edge. Make sure the hemmed edges meet up nicely! Then, sew a seam with a 3/4 inch seam allowance along the curved edge. Leave the two straight, hemmed edges open.


Next, you are going to go along the curved edge and trim one of the raw edges as close to the seam as possible. Leave the other edge alone.


Then, you are going to sew a second time down this curved edge. Fold the longer edge over the shorter edge, and zigzag it in place. This creates a nice, finished, no-fray edge for the inside of the hood (which is visible when not worn up).

You can finish all the interior seams in the robe this way if you'd like, but it isn't necessary.


At this point, this is what your hood should look like!

Read Part 3 to learn how to attach the hood and sleeves to the body and finish your robes!

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