How To Make traditional Catholic vestments

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Does anyone know of any books or on-line websites that give patterns or instructions for making traditional Catholic vestments (I am thinking of a “fiddleback” chasuble and stole set). I know a seamstress who is exploring the possibility of making me a vestment as an ordination gift next year. Thanks.
 
Does anyone know of any books or on-line websites that give patterns or instructions for making traditional Catholic vestments (I am thinking of a “fiddleback” chasuble and stole set). I know a seamstress who is exploring the possibility of making me a vestment as an ordination gift next year. Thanks.
Try this group trad_vest · Traditional Vestments “for people who sew traditional vestments to be used by Catholic priests”. It looks to be a very small, and inactive group. I’d try joining the group and posting and see what happens. There are also women in CMSewingRoom Catholic Mother’s Sewing Room who sew vestments.
 
OOps thats a .com Sorry
Actually, it’s a placeholder page with advertising on it. Although you might find something of use on it…probably a google search would do as well.

Good luck in your search. I checked out this topic because we are talking about new vestments at my church, too. 🙂
 
I doubt they’d offer a pattern, but if you are looking for the proper dimensions of a Roman chasuble, stole, maniple, etc., I recommend calling or e-mailing someone at Gamarelli or Barbiconi in Rome. They still produce the vestments properly (according to the Roman style), and they could probably give you the dimensions to which someone could either make or adapt a pattern. For example, many “Roman” chasubles made today and in the past (especially in France, Spain, above all in America) do not fit the proper criteria. They have the cross shape on the back rather than the pillar. The chasuble is not wide enough or is cut straight or looks like a fiddle (hence the “fiddleback” title, which really is proper to the Spanish style in particular), etc., etc. N.B. A proper Roman chalice veil has no cross, neither do the bottoms of the maniple or stole (only the part that is kissed at the top), though these last two examples in particular were increasingly popular.
 
Do you need a serger to produce these vestments, or can they be made on a regular machine?
 
Not sure about that, sorry.

Ooops: For example, many “Roman” chasubles made today and in the past … do not fit the proper criteria. … The chasuble is not wide enough or is NOT cut straight or looks like a fiddle.
 
Google “St. Benet’s Guild” for excellent help on vestments. That is my best advice for where to start. No serger is needed whatsoever to make any vestments; it is all very basic sewing. The secret is getting a good pattern made to fit you and selecting the appropriate fabrics; to look professional, vestments need to be interfaced properly. There are some old reprinted books available, but you need more help than that. It seems in the old day, they measured and cut and patterns aren’t floating around from those days. Looking at old vestments is a great help for someone sewing. It’s nice to see how things are put together. It’s a plus if you can handle some of the old vestments. St. Benet’s Guild should prove helpful to you for your questions. You may also ask questions on the sew4church Yahoo group. Beware of patterns sold online until you look into it a little more, even if they come from convents, if you want a good fit. You may enjoy checking out Elizabeth Morgan’s vestment website for ideas. She is Anglican, but also has things for the Roman Catholic.
 
Does anyone know of any books or on-line websites that give patterns or instructions for making traditional Catholic vestments (I am thinking of a “fiddleback” chasuble and stole set). I know a seamstress who is exploring the possibility of making me a vestment as an ordination gift next year. Thanks.
I just ordered a pattern from( amazon.com) waiting for it to come in, reviews says its a good one. I hope so good luck.
 
Check out St. Benet’s Guild online. The lady at holyfrocks1 is so helpful with all things Latin vestments. She can direct you to good patterns that will fit. Aside from her business which is making vestments, she has an interest in encouraging others to sew. She has helped me immensely. It can be very difficult to find your way with the Latin vestments, but times are changing! Good luck! Feel free to PM me if you think I might be able to help. J.
 
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