Anyone make vestments?

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ASimpleSinner

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I have a priest friend in the Phillipines who could use a few sets - and he has an army of seamstresses who are his pious church ladies…

I would like to surprise him with some fabric that he could use to make some new vestments (he would like some “fiddleback” style to replace the “polyester gothic” hand-me-downs from the 70s)…

Anyone have any experience making fiddleback style vestments to have a rough idea of the yardage needed?
 
ASimpleSinner said:
I have a priest friend in the Phillipines who could use a few sets - and he has an army of seamstresses who are his pious church ladies…

I would like to surprise him with some fabric that he could use to make some new vestments (he would like some “fiddleback” style to replace the “polyester gothic” hand-me-downs from the 70s)…

Anyone have any experience making fiddleback style vestments to have a rough idea of the yardage needed?
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Check on ebay for someone selling patterns for these and other styles of vestments.
 
Eilish_Maura said:
Check on ebay for someone selling patterns for these and other styles of vestments.
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I guess I just show I am out of my depth on this one… I can look for patterns, but I was presuming they would have what they need… just wanted to know how much yardage - I have seen some nice fabric that would make some fine vestments on eBay, but was not sure how many yards I should send.
 
ASimpleSinner said:
I guess I just show I am out of my depth on this one… I can look for patterns, but I was presuming they would have what they need… just wanted to know how much yardage - I have seen some nice fabric that would make some fine vestments on eBay, but was not sure how many yards I should send.
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The pattern will let you know the amount of fabric, what kinds of fabric and what combinations of materials you would need as well as other bits and pieces.
 
Eilish_Maura said:
The pattern will let you know the amount of fabric, what kinds of fabric and what combinations of materials you would need as well as other bits and pieces.
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d’oh!

I was hoping I could guesstimate the amount needed… Oh well, I will just break down and ask him.
 
ASimpleSinner said:
d’oh!

I was hoping I could guesstimate the amount needed… Oh well, I will just break down and ask him.
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LOL

You are also better asking because there may be care issues (like some fabrics may be wonderful but to keep them clean etc could be a problem locally for him/his parish).
 
There are some private companies that do it, you can find their websites by googling ‘traditional catholic vestments’. Keep in mind it’s not just fabric, the fiddlebacks are really thick and have a bunch of stuff in between them, as well as piping and such around the edge. Some of it can be pretty impractical too, as sometimes real gold and stuff was used, which breaks and falls off really easily.
 
muffinmojo said:
There are some private companies that do it, you can find their websites by googling ‘traditional catholic vestments’. Keep in mind it’s not just fabric, the fiddlebacks are really thick and have a bunch of stuff in between them, as well as piping and such around the edge. Some of it can be pretty impractical too, as sometimes real gold and stuff was used, which breaks and falls off really easily.
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I am just trying to get the project started - facing, lining, piping… They are on their own with that one. I was wondering if 6 yards of fabric that is 38 inches wide would get him going for a fiddleback, maniple, stole (the stole does not have to be made of the fabric entirely, it may just include it in the details…)

For a short but jolly Filipino priest towering at 5’4’’ I am thinking that would be enough… I was leaving the rest to him and his army of pious seamstresses.
 
ASimpleSinner said:
I am just trying to get the project started - facing, lining, piping… They are on their own with that one. I was wondering if 6 yards of fabric that is 38 inches wide would get him going for a fiddleback, maniple, stole (the stole does not have to be made of the fabric entirely, it may just include it in the details…)

For a short but jolly Filipino priest towering at 5’4’’ I am thinking that would be enough… I was leaving the rest to him and his army of pious seamstresses.
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Ask them for the amount needed - when it comes to sewing projects you can’t just guess about such things without generating a lot of waste (time, money and materials).
 
ask any newly married women if they can donate their wedding gowns, my wife 50 yrs ago gave hers to be made into priests vest. still being used today.
 
Eilish_Maura said:
White is not the most needed liturgical color.
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They are all needed.

White is not the most used.

That being the case, it stands to reason that such a gift of sacrifice and generosity can and may be used in offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass long after a soul has departed from this side of the Vale of Tears and transitioned into Eternity.

To me, it is a rather comforting though to know that such a garment will well outlast me. It is perhaps part of my selfish motive to assist in Father getting some new vestments that such will have blessings and graces for me in my struggle as I contribute to the patrimony of his community. It is the same reason I donate (very, very small sums of) money to the building of Churches in Africa and Asia that I will never, ever visit or see in my lifetime. I pray that many saints are baptized and brought to faith in each of these places, and remember the “uknown benefactors” in their prayers.

Besides, for all the brides I have known who speak of passing their new dress unto daughters, I have never known a single one (though I know they exist) who wear the dress of their mother!
 
ASimpleSinner said:
I am just trying to get the project started - facing, lining, piping… They are on their own with that one. ** I was wondering if 6 yards of fabric that is 38 inches wide would get him going for a fiddleback, maniple, stole **(the stole does not have to be made of the fabric entirely, it may just include it in the details…)

For a short but jolly Filipino priest towering at 5’4’’ I am thinking that would be enough… I was leaving the rest to him and his army of pious seamstresses.
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I don’t think so. I just finished a spring bathrobe, size 10 & I’m 5’ 3"…it’s A-line with long sleeves that flare & is floor length. I used 4 yds. of 45" fabric. It will probably take more than 6 yds.
BTW., kudos to you. Mass vestments, when purchased, ususally cost over $1,000. I’m sure that you’re gift of material will be appreciated & well-used.
 
White fine fabrics, even satins, can be dyed.

The thing to watch in the Phillipines is the weather, which determines which fabrics don’t deteriorate in the intense heat and humidity. I’ve known more than one family when the Navy had bases there who brought blue jeans withthem, only to watch them dissolve six months later.
 
CradleCath said:
I don’t think so. I just finished a spring bathrobe, size 10 & I’m 5’ 3"…it’s A-line with long sleeves that flare & is floor length. I used 4 yds. of 45" fabric. It will probably take more than 6 yds.
BTW., kudos to you. Mass vestments, when purchased, ususally cost over $1,000. I’m sure that you’re gift of material will be appreciated & well-used.
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You think a fiddleback and maniple for a little Fillipino priest towering at about 5’5’ is going to take more than that? I have to find a pattern book and figure this one out I guess.
 
ASimpleSinner said:
They are all needed.

White is not the most used.
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Just passing on information I have gotten from priests when I have looked into doing this same kind of thing. They speak of lovely white sets of vestments that go unused.
 
Eilish_Maura said:
They speak of lovely white sets of vestments that go unused.
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Don’t these priests say Mass during the Easter season??

That is seven weeks of almost nothing by White.

Add to that the Christmas octave…

Granted, they could use the black and purple vestments for funeral Masses, but quite a lot of priests use the option of white vestements then too.
 
Eilish_Maura said:
Just passing on information I have gotten from priests when I have looked into doing this same kind of thing. They speak of lovely white sets of vestments that go unused.
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That just means that the vestments will be - God will it so - potentially used at Mass long after we are sharing in the glory of the Eternal Mass.

I don’t mind the idea of a vestment I contribute to the Church’s patrimony being used 100 years from now… Who knows, it might be worn by a saint one day!
 
ASimpleSinner said:
You think a fiddleback and maniple for a little Fillipino priest towering at about 5’5’ is going to take more than that? I have to find a pattern book and figure this one out I guess.
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It’s the 38" width of the fabric that worries me, will it be able to be cut in such a way that the bottom of the vestment is wide enough. These pictures will show what I mean. Also, are you planning on having it lined in the same material? I think it could be lined with a nice but inexpensive fabric. Still, you’ll be cutting it close with 6 yds…because of the small width.

midihymns.homestead.com/ves.html
 
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