How to make a Coif: 1 and 3 piece patterns

© Cynthia Virtue
aka Cynthia du Pré Argent
 

Amelia Earheart and Snoopy Cap from NASA: coifs in the modern ageCoifs are great for keeping you warm at night (either while partying or sleeping) keeping the sun off of your head during the day (especially if you dislike hats), and for absorbing sweat under helmets or other headwear.

"Coif" is a general term for white linen headwear for men and women, but it can also specifically apply to closely-fitted caps with ties, as described here.Author and daughter in a coif with veil

You can make them out of linen or wool, or for a medieval/renaissance look with either less cost, less itch, or less money, out of fleece to imitate natural fabrics.

Note: this pattern is for the pre-1500 style that is one or two pieces.  After 1500 (or so) the 3-piece coif (see below) became more popular, possibly as a technological/tailoring advance; this design eliminates the wrinkles at the top of the head by having a strip that runs from the forehead to the nape of the neck.  This is likely the pattern for the Doge's camauro, famed in portraiture, as well; like any body-linen item it absorbed oils and dirt, preserving the expensive outer garments, while being easy to launder and bleach in the sun.  

Women's coifs started becoming very structured after 1500; this page does not apply to that very interesting variation.

You can see from the photo on this page that this 3-piece pattern continues in popularity through the aviator caps of the early years of flight, and into the Space Age.  
I think that women and children probably wore these in the middle ages, but evidence is slim.  I have found them to be great for children - especially girl children who want to wear a veil like the women, but who don't have the patience for the bands of fabric method.  My daughter is wearing a coif under her veil in the picture above.

Doge Venezia Foscari, showing traditional hat

measure your headMeasure:Man in Coif from the Tres Riches Heures


A: Over the top of your head from mid-ear to mid-ear.

B: Around the back of your head from temple to temple. 

If this is awkward for you, I have a large head for a woman and an average head for a man, and my measurements are A: 15.75" or 40cm and B: 13.5" or 34cm. 
 

graphing measurementsNext:

Halve each of these dimensions and graph them on a piece of paper.

If you remember your algebra, think of this like graphing coordinates. Measure A is on the Y-axis: The height of your head. Measure B is on the X-axis, the width of your head.

Add about 1.5" to B (for an adult; adjust for children), and use as a radius to make a curve for the back of your head.

Some people like to cut a slight angle in the bottom so that the area over the ears is "lower" than at the back of the head; this is optional.
 

pattern on fabricYou now have a pattern.


If you want to add a deep seam, you'll have to add more seam allowance, but for a * inch seam, you won't need to worry.

Fold your fabric.

The top of the coif should be at the fold. The face opening should be at the selvedge (woven edge of the fabric.) Using a pen or chalk, outline where you will cut. Then take the pattern away and cut it out.

Sew up the back seam. Finish any edges; add ties at the front (ear) corners.
 

Coifs from 1180

Ties:

tie constructionCan be made out of ribbon (which is also useful for finishing the raw edge,) or of tubes of fabric turned inside out. You can also fold over fabric so that the raw edges aren't showing, and sew it down on the outside.

Some folks find it convenient to tie the ties on top of the head, like the guard pictured.

NOTE: There will be wrinkles at the back of the head. There is no way to avoid this with the one-seam pattern demonstrated here.

You're done! This will take less than half an hour.
 

3-piece pattern

proportional drawing of patternFairly self-explanatory; adjust the dimensions to fit your head -- if you're not good at doing this freehand, take your measurements and enlarge this image on a photocopier (or your own printer) to match those measurements.  

Cut two side pieces and one center piece; the double-ended arrows signify the straight grain of the fabric.  The wide end of the center piece goes at your forehead; the narrow end at the top of your neck.

Make ties of fabric as above, or you can make one side of the pattern extra long and add a button under one ear for fastening.







Man with coif ties above his head, 1500 or later

 
 
All material  © 1999-2011 Cynthia Virtue Email Author with comments
Back to Virtue Ventures Main Page Back to Article Index

Visit my CafePress store!