Monk Habit Pattern: Help with Design Details

Monk Habit Pattern: Help with Design Details: Ecclesiastical sewing can sometimes be akin to a lost art form.  This is true even when it comes to making monk habits for monastic life. The making of monastic habits is shrouded in a bit of mystery. The story I was told is that the garments used to be made by the in-house tailor at the monastery. The tailor knew how to make the habits, and had the patterns. As the tailors aged and became unable to craft the habits, the community lost their skills and knowledge. Another tale suggests that at times, people traced and copied patterns, inadvertently distorting the design lines, consequently impacting the fit and function of the garments.

Several posts written quite some time ago discussed the drafting process of a monk habit pattern. Since the pattern appears to be an item of interest for many people, it is going to move up the priority list. There are two other patterns currently in the works, and the monk habit pattern will fall in line right behind those patterns.  But to offer a usable pattern, I need some help from you, my readers. I need to have some specifics on what type of pattern is needed.

Making a Benedictine-Style Monk

The pattern is currently in the drafting stages in a Benedictine style. It is a simple monk habit that has a high, close-fitting collar, a front placket opening, long 2-piece sleeves, welt pockets on the chest, and at the waist, and side openings to access pant pockets.  That is the basics of the pattern.  And here is where you can help. If you are aware of specific design details, such as:

•  Does the back pattern piece have a seam or is placed on a fold
•  What is a functional width for the lower edge of the sleeve
•  What is a good width for the hemline – a nice fullness that is not cumbersome
• What is a good length for the front placket opening
• Is a placket opening better than an opening that goes to the bottom hem (A photo of this would help)
• Is a placket opening in the front preferred or is it better to have the front opening extend all the way to the hem
• How many buttons are ideal for the placket opening, and what size works best
• Where should the sleeve cap sit – at the top of the shoulder or should the sleeve cap be a slight drop shoulder

These may seem like simple and obvious questions, but details, however simple, make a difference in the final outcome. And the goal is to develop a usable and correct pattern for all of you. So thank you for any help you may all have to offer.  Once the pattern is in a “beta” or trial stage, I may need a few volunteers to help test the pattern out.  Please keep checking back for updates.

Solo Dei Gloria

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