About stole length
Measuring for a deacon stole is a bit more complex than measuring for a straight stole, as the wearer’s frame, height, and vestments all affect the sash length, while the length of the tail depends mostly on the wearer’s height and personal preference.
Generally speaking, the length of the sash should be such that the outer edge of the “bend” of the sash at the front meets the outer edge of the bend of the sash at the back at or near the right hip bone (or wherever you want the bend in the stole to land). I make my deacon stoles with an adjustable side clasp, which does allow a bit of flexibility, as it can be tightened or loosened a bit to achieve the desired fit. I have found the following sash-tail size combinations fit average-framed people of the noted height; however, I recommend measuring the intended wearer whenever possible to ensure the stole fits as desired.
What you’ll need
You’ll need ONE of the following:
a stole that the intended wearer has and likes the length of
OR
the person this stole is intended for
OR
a person of approximately the same height and build who is willing to be the stunt double
and
a flexible measuring tape (available at fabric stores)
OR
string or yarn and a tape measure
OR
string or yarn and a yardstick
Measuring using an existing deacon stole:
First, fold the stole in half and place it on a flat surface. To measure the sash, measure along the outer edge of the sash (where the “point” of the bend is) to the top, then multiply by two. If you have a tape measure, use that; otherwise, use a piece of string cut to length and measure that. To measure the tail, measure along the outer edge of the tail (where the “point” of the bend is) to the end of the tail.
- don’t pull the tape measure or yarn super-tight
- the measurement for the sash is usually at least 50″
- the measurement for the tail is usually at least 20″
Measuring the person:
Measurement 1: start at the right hip bone (or wherever you want the “bend” in the stole to land), up to your left shoulder, about halfway between your neck and your shoulder, and back down to your right hip bone, leaving a few inches between the starting point and ending point to accommodate the connecting chain.
Measurement 2: from your right hip bone (or wherever you want the “bend” in the stole to land) straight down to where you want the tail of the stole to end
- Make sure to measure when dressed as you will be when wearing it – that is, while wearing street clothes and whatever robe/vestments you will be wearing.
- don’t pull the tape measure or yarn super-tight
- for the sash measurement, hold the ends of the tape measure or yarn a few inches apart to replicate the chain that will connect the front and the back
- the measurement for the sash is usually at least 50”
- the measurement for the tail is usually at least 20”
Standard sizes
I have found the following sash-tail size combinations fit average-framed people of the noted height; however, I strongly recommend measuring the intended wearer whenever possible to ensure the stole fits as desired.
Size A 52” sash 24” tails 5’-5’5” wearer
Size B 55” 26” 5’6”-5’10”
Size C 62” 28” 5’11”-6’2”
Size D 65” 30” over 6”2”
Custom – RECOMMENDED
