Over the last year I’ve received requests from folks about how to make habits and where to find sewing patterns and fabric. I’m hoping that you might have some suggestions for me to pass along to these folks.
I would especially like to help a woman who wrote me last week. She has volunteered to help a religious community by making their habits for them. The community is Cistercian and is having a difficult time finding the black and white fabric used to make their habit. I would be most grateful if you have any suggestions as to where to get fabric (keeping in mind the value of frugality), patterns for habits, and any other suggestions you might have for this woman who is trying to learn as much as she can (she has limited time talking with the nuns because they are cloistered).
If you happen to have some expertise in this area and would be open to connecting with this woman, I know she’d be so thankful — just let me know and I’ll hook you up.
Thank you in advance for any suggestions, ideas, etc. that you can offer. Sister Julie
"She wrote the way she lived: on the fly, without retrospect, always on the way, climbing higher."
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Sr. Mary Catharine 03.24.08 at 7:50 am
Buona Pasqua. Sister, please have her email me and I can give her resources.
Sister Julie 03.24.08 at 8:04 am
And Happy Easter to you and your sisters. Thank you so much for responding. I’ll forward your email. Sister Julie
Dennis Fontana 03.24.08 at 8:29 am
Good Morning,
In response to your request for patterns, fabric and the like, I can only say that the market is an extremely narrow one, and the makers of habits are quite reluctant to divulge/share their knowledge. As a member of the Secular Franciscans, I and others are pursuing the quest to resurrect the original habit of the Brothers and Sisters of Penance of St. Francis, namely, a simple tunic and cord, without the cowl and hood. At http://www.glenfont.com/ they’ll make you any habit you’d like, dating as far back as four centuries. They will not sell patterns, fabrics or other secrets of the trade, as it is their primary business in assisting to sustain themselves. I’ve found other manufacturers of religious habits to respond in like kind. In short, if you have business for us, we’ll talk to you. Otherwise, don’t bother us. Thanks. Many contemplative nuns/monks sew religious habits to sustain themselves as well. All I can say is,” pray on it, and the Holy Spirit will lead you to your source. When you do, contact me at the internet address, above.
Pax et bonum,
Dennis,sfo
Br. Dominic-Michael OHS 03.25.08 at 8:03 am
I have bent myself to the task of sewing habits. My advice is to spend a lot of time looking at images of traditional nuns in habit, then spend an equal amount of time scouring pattern catalogues and used pattern sites like http://www.oldpatterns.com . Choose a dress pattern, or skirt and bodice pattern, that most closely resembles what you are aiming for in your size or larger.
Sewing is a creative process, very few people adhere absolutely to the pattern details, this is the fun of sewing your own, so with forethought you can adapt these regular patterns to other designs…what is a habit but a certain style of dress? (and this goes for male habits too).
My own habit is “Linen”, actually a 100% polyester linen lookalike that is machine wash and wear. my scapular is broadcloth. cincture is cotton rope dyed blue. I also have an underskirt that is heavy cotton twill and brushes the tops of my shoes, black as a cassock as this is the purpose it serves. It hides my legs and adds a more formal look when serving or preaching.
I suggest plain heavy fabrics, cotton twills, linen if you can afford it, or lookalike linen if you can’t. Fancy design or close tailoring is not needed, and is to be avoided. Look at Mennonite women for another example.
Whatever you do, use top quality thread and do a good job of stitching. Treat the Habit just as you would a vestment such as a chasuble or cope etc. Durability is essential and it is easier to spend an extra 20 minutes sewing carefully than hours later mending seams that give out.
I’ve never tried making a veil and “appurtenances thereto” - for obvious reasons - monks wear a hood.
Jen 03.25.08 at 12:36 pm
Just a thought but do they have a SCA (society for creative anachronists) nearby? A lot of the members make their own period clothing. If they can’t track down patterns and fabrics, I don’t know of anyone who can.
Jen 03.25.08 at 12:36 pm
Er, SCA chapter, that is. Teach me to comment without finishing my coffee…
k. edwards 09.18.08 at 5:20 pm
hi-know this is an odd request–am looking for the head gear for a civil war era nun for a local film. Any suggestions–have had no luck making our own–have photos of the real sister–ours looked funny.
Thanks for any help,
K. Edwards
Sister Julie 09.19.08 at 3:41 am
It kinda depends on which community of nuns because the head gear varied across congregations. What does the rest of the habit look like? Where is the nun located? or where is she from? That would give us an indication of what community she likely belonged to and therefore what her head gear might have looked like. Blessings on your search.