DIY Projects Halloween Crafts

How to Make Your Own Gryffindor Robe

Harry Potter costume

 

YOSHIKAZU TSUNO / Getty Images

This method is so easy that it is ideal for those new to sewing, and it's absolutely perfect for Harry Potter, Ron Weasley or Hermione Granger costumes.

What You'll Need

  • A length of black fabric matching the measurements in Step 2.
  • For a lined robe: A length of fabric the same size as your outer fabric. This should be red for Gryffindor house. Amazon will now ​cut and deliver fabric right to your door.
  • A sewing machine or sewing kit
  • Scissors 
  • Measuring tape
  • Iron and ironing board
  • Sewing Chalk 
  • Optional: Gryffindor iron-on patch

Once you gather your materials, we can get started.

  • 01 of 10

    Measure the Fabric

    how-to gryffindor robes
    The fold on the fabric will be the top of your shoulders.

    Rain Blanken / The Spruce

    You only need two measurements for this robe:

    1. Measure from your shoulder to your ankle. If you want the robe to be shorter than ankle-length, measure to your knees or calf.
    2. Measure from wrist to wrist to determine how long you want the sleeves of your robe. If you want the sleeves to overlap your hands, then add a few inches to the measurement.

    Cut a rectangle of the black fabric that is twice the length of your shoulder to ankle measurement. Now cut an identical rectangle from the red fabric.

    Fold the black fabric exactly in half. Make sure that all the sides are lined up.

  • 02 of 10

    Trace Your Body

    how-to Gryffindor Robe
    For a baggy robe, trace farther from the body.

    Rain Blanken / The Spruce

    Lie down with your shoulders at the top of the fabric and spread your arms out as shown. Spread your feet about a foot and a half apart.

    You'll need a buddy to trace the shape of the robe around your body.

    For a billowing robe, trace farther from the body. For a robe that has a closer fit, trace 5" or so away from the body.

    For the sleeves, start 8" from the top of the fabric for a close fit. Trace 14" or more for long, draping sleeves.

    Once you make your marks, go back and adjust your lines to make sure the measurements are even. If one sleeve is 18", make sure both sleeves are 18" and so on.

  • 03 of 10

    Cut Out the Robe

    how-to Gryffindor robe
    Cut along the chalk lines.

    Rain Blanken / The Spruce

    Cut through both layers of the black fabric, making sure that the bottom layer doesn't bunch or shift while you're cutting. Don't cut the top of the fabric where it is folded.

    Open up the black robe cut-out and lay it on top of the red fabric. For a lined robe, you will need to trace the cut-out robe on the red fabric to make a perfect match. Cut out the identical red robe.

  • 04 of 10

    Stitch the Sides

    how-to gryffindor robes
    Sew the sides, then cut the opening in the front.

    Rain Blanken / The Spruce

    Fold the black fabric so that it is inside-out.

    Use your sewing machine or hand sew a straight stitch along bottoms of the sleeves and the sides of the robe. Use about a 1/4" seam allowance. Zigzag stitch the raw edges to prevent them from fraying.

    Use your measuring tape to find the exact center of the robe and mark it. Cut all the way up through the front of the robe. Do not cut through both layers. Repeat this step with the red fabric.

    Continue to 5 of 10 below
  • 05 of 10

    Press the Edges

    how-to Gryffindor Robe
    Iron the edges to make sewing much easier.

    Rain Blanken / The Spruce

    This may seem like a trivial step, but it is going to save you time and hassle while you are sewing and makes the finished product look much better.

    Use your steam iron to press the raw edges of the cuffs, bottom hems, and front openings of the black and red robes. You will need to fold in about 1/2".

    Once your edges are ready, you can sew the lining to the outer robe.

  • 06 of 10

    Insert the Lining

    how-to Gryffindor robe
    Pin the red robe inside the black robe.

    Rain Blanken / The Spruce

    Turn the red lining robe inside out.

    Insert the red robe into the black robe, making sure that the seams line up and that the sleeves are not twisted. Line up the pressed edges of the cuffs, bottom hem, and front opening. Pin in place.

    Once you have it in place, then you can top stitch the robes together.

  • 07 of 10

    Stitch the lining in place.

    how-to Gyffindor robes
    A finished robe looks good with red stitching.

    Rain Blanken / The Spruce

    Now you will stitch right through the top of the black robe to secure the red lining in place. Stitch along the cuffs, then the front opening, and finally the bottom hem.

    If you pressed your edges, this step should be very easy to complete. Once your robe is put together, you can add a Gryffindor iron-on patch to the front, or even tack a few buttons on the front.

  • 08 of 10

    Make a Wizard House Scarf

    Boy dressed as Harry Potter
    nicolecritten / Twenty20

    Even if you don't know how to knit or crochet, you can create a Hogwarts scarf in your favorite house colors.

    Continue to 9 of 10 below
  • 09 of 10

    Make a Hooded Cape

    Hooded cape

    Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd / Getty Images 

    If you thought the Gryffindor robe was easy to make, this cape is even easier. Every wizard needs a good cape, and this is the easiest, most comprehensive tutorial available.

  • 10 of 10

    Printable Harry Potter Glasses

    Child's Harry Potter Costume
    Child's Harry Potter Costume DIY Fashion Reader, Angela

    What is Harry Potter without his glasses? Well, if Clark Kent is any indication, no one is going to recognize a non-bespectacled Harry. These glasses are widely available online and in stores and with some creativity, you can make them yourself with heavy paper.