Yikes! I've never sewn one. but I'm thinking it is very full with cartridge pleats?

I made an outfit for a historical re-enactor with just a cartridge-pleated skirt...my labor came to about $200, and that doesn't count material. I'd guess there'd be about 5-6yards of material involved, maybe more. Good velvet can be priced at $20 a yard, or more. I've never seen a pattern for anything like that either. Since these are only used once a year, is there a way to get one second-hand? Ebay? Does the rental company sell used ones?

Have you looked at the pattern co? I believe there is patterns for ministers robes which would be very similar. You could go on line to vogue, or simplicity and look there.

hope that helps

Bonnie

Bonnie, great idea.

I have an ongoing (as in not workin on it right now) project to make minister robes for a ministerial student friend. I've collected a number of patterns for these types of garments.

Check patterns for Choir Robes; there are a few patterns available:

http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/butterick/shop.cgi?s.item.B3819=x&TI=10013&page=9

http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/butterick/shop.cgi?s.item.B3820=x&TI=10013&page=9

http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/butterick/shop.cgi?s.item.B6844=x&TI=10013&page=10

McCalls and Simplicity used to have some, but they seem to be out of print:

http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=663047

If you go to the fabric store, check the sections in the pattern books for: Unisex or Uniforms or Costumes.

CMC

The best suggestion is BUY ONE!!!!!! I made mine and was TRULY sick of seeing it before it was done!!! Velvet, lining,pleats,gathers,zippers,hook and eyes,inside/outside,hemweights...YIPES, and you really spend a lot more on supplies than you would to just buy the thing!! You might even look on Ebay!! You know that the hoods for musicians is an ung@dly pink YUK!!!! Thankfully I don't have to wear it very often!!!!!!!!!!!!