Creating a toga can be a quick and simple process if you just fold a sheet, or more complex if you decide to cut a long piece of fabric and hem it; in any case, you just need to wrap it around you and secure it with pins. If you need a costume quickly, the toga will be an excellent historical themed solution.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Find the Best Fabric
Step 1. Choose a color
Usually the ancient Romans wore togas of a color tending to off-white, because they used undyed fabric; however, other colors were also used, to emphasize the role of the person.
- For example, a bright white toga made of bleached fabric indicated that the person had embarked on a political career.
- Dark colors were worn in case of mourning.
- White with a purple rim was typical of Curulian magistrates, while purple with a golden thread around the rim was used by generals (victorious in war), kings and emperors.
Step 2. Decide on the type of fabric
The Romans used wool, mainly because it was easier to keep it in place than other materials; However, this could make you itchy and very hot, as well as being quite expensive. If you prefer something simpler and cheaper, cotton will be a great choice.
- Muslin is a good option, because it is light and flowing.
- Another good idea could be flannel, as long as it is soft.
- You can find these fabrics in your trusted haberdashery; be careful not to buy too smooth fabrics, otherwise they will slip off you.
Step 3. Buy the right amount of fabric
For a well-made toga you will need about 4-4.5 meters of fabric, depending on your height and build; for people taller or stouter than normal it would be better to buy 5-5.5 meters, just to be safe.
- At the haberdashery you can ask exactly the amount of fabric you need.
- Sometimes, by purchasing the final part of a reel, the store could give you a discount on the portion remaining beyond the length you requested: for example, if you wanted to buy 4 meters and there were only 4.5 meters left in the reel, they could offer you to buy the an additional half meter at a discounted price.
Step 4. Use a fitted sheet
A simpler option will be to use a sheet: even if you won't get a toga as long as a traditional model, you will save time and effort.
- A long double size will be optimal: you will have a slightly longer sheet than a normal one (200 cm instead of 190) but without exaggerating with the width.
- Some people prefer a single or one-and-a-half sheet for a lighter toga.
Step 5. Wash the fabric
A wash of the fabric will make it softer, so as to have less difficulty wearing the toga.
- Use fabric softener for better results.
- You can also perform a second wash cycle in the washing machine, in case the first was not enough to get a good fit.
Method 2 of 4: Sew the Robe
Step 1. Decide if and how you want to sew the fabric
You can also use it as it is, but to get a garment more in line with traditions you will need to follow some additional steps; you could also limit yourself to simply hem the edges.
Although it is less important for some types of fabric, the hem will prevent your toga from fraying; if this were not a problem for you, you can easily move on
Step 2. Cut the toga
The shape of this item of clothing has changed over time; you can cut the fabric following one of the traditional shapes or leave it rectangular, as you bought it in haberdashery.
- A classic shape was a kind of crescent, with one straight edge above and one curved below, which met to form two acute angles.
- Later models had a hexagonal shape: a straight horizontal line at the top, two descending edges that widen up to half the height of the toga and then close at the bottom, following more curved and less angular lines; the result was a shape similar to an enlarged and flattened hexagon.
- To obtain one of these two types, cut the fabric with sewing scissors, keeping about 6 cm of additional fabric around the edges to be able to hem.
Step 3. Hem the edges
Whether you need to hem the rectangle of fabric you have purchased or finish the shape you have cut out, you just need to make a simple double hem; in the case of drapes with curved edges, it will help to create a topstitch along them before folding them. At the end of the procedure, iron the edges.
- To create the hem, fold the fabric about 2 cm; for togas with curved edges, sew a seam along the edge, about 2 cm inside, then fold along this line. Finally iron the sewn area.
- Fold the edges again, this time to a length of about 4 cm, then iron them again.
- Sew along the inside edge. To secure the hem you will have to sew it a second time, keeping it more towards the inside than towards the outside.
- You could also add small sewing weights inside the hem, so as to get a toga that fits better on you.
Step 4. Use fabric glue
If you do not want to use a needle and thread, you can easily replace them with a special adhesive: start by ironing the hem, then fold it twice as in the previous case, and finally secure it with liquid glue or hem tape.
- If you use hemming tape, you will probably need to iron the outside of the hem again to get it to glue.
- Be careful not to use too much glue, which could otherwise seep and see itself on the other side; do a test before proceeding along the entire length of the hem.
Method 3 of 4: Put on the Toga
Step 1. Start with the left arm
Take a corner or point and pass it over your arm, starting from behind; the rest should hang down enough, reaching past the knee.
- If you have decided to make a hexagonal toga, remember to fold it in half before starting.
- The Romans usually wore a tunic under their togas; you could replace it by wearing a shirt and shorts (or a skirt).
Step 2. Pass the remaining portion behind your back
Bring back the part that previously hung from the arm, being careful not to twist it behind your back, then proceed to the right, under the arm.
You may need some help, as the drape is very long
Step 3. Bring it to the front
Wrap your hips, loosening the fabric on your right hip, then pull the remaining fabric over your shoulder.
- Make sure the toga covers your hips softly, avoiding it being too tight.
- In this step, you will also be able to adjust the length of your toga; However, make sure there is enough tissue left for the next step, where the torso will be covered.
Step 4. Repeat the step around the hips
Pass to the right again, again under the arm, and leave the soft fabric on the right side, a little higher than before; bring the remainder still over the shoulder.
The drape should be slightly higher on the back than on the front
Step 5. Adjust the toga
Look in the mirror and adjust the drapery, possibly moving some points to cover yourself better; lengthen or shorten the ends to your liking, pinning them if necessary.
- The left shoulder is a good place to apply a pin.
- Although the Romans did not use pins on their togas, securing it will allow you more freedom of movement, as an unfastened toga is likely to fall off easily.
- You can also use a belt.
Step 6. Add accessories
You can use plastic swords or shields that you will find in toy or costume stores; you could also look for fake jewelry such as gold chains, amulets and other decorations. Top it all off by wearing sandals.
Another option would be to wear a fake laurel wreath: undo a wire hanger, using the material to make a wreath the right size for your head, then buy some plastic leaves (or get some real leaves) and glue (or twist) them on the thread following your inspiration. Remember to let the glue dry completely before wearing the crown
Method 4 of 4: Make a Robe with a Fitted Sheet
Step 1. Fold the sheet
You can proceed as you like, but the best way would be to fold it in half according to the length; if, on the other hand, you are using a single or large sheet, this step is superfluous.
- Folding it exactly in half will result in a very short toga.
- If you prefer a longer drape, do not reach halfway, but fold it a little less.
- Remember that togas were worn over tunics, so you can use them over a t-shirt or other garments, or even over your normal clothes; Also, by using a sheet you will get a rather small and not very covering toga, so it would be better to wear something under it.
Step 2. Pull the toga over your left arm
You can rest the entire leading edge above your arm by letting it hang in front of you, or limit yourself to the upper corner, letting it form a point.
If there is no one to help you, the most convenient way to start is to place the whole sheet on the shoulder, like a cape, lengthwise; then pull it on the left side, so that the terminal part rests on your arm, then recover the slack part
Step 3. Bring it under your right arm
Now that you have covered the left side, pull the toga under the right arm; you can leave it over your arm, since even the Romans sometimes wore it similar to a harness, but you will have more freedom of movement if you pass it underneath.
Lightly embellish the part that goes under your arm: use your hands to fold the fabric back and forth where it passes on the hip, to get small pleats
Step 4. Bring the remainder over your shoulder
At the end of the procedure, you can take the other end of the toga and pass it over the left shoulder; try to get as high as possible, while keeping the right side covered.
