Making a Collapsible Biretta ‘The biretta is a square-shaped hat with pom-pom in the center. It has three raised wings or ridges , called “hora” onthe top It is made of scarlet watered silk for cardinals, violet silk for bishops, and black mertine for priests, deacons, and seminarians. For protonotaries apostolic de numero, the brea is black but the pom-pom and trim are crimson red. Seminarians and cardinals have no pom-pom on the bireif ‘There is earns homed black biretta which non-episcopal pontifical doctors use in an academic setting. The biretit 2 eee rat Tridentine Mass but is now optional fr clerics celebrating Novus Ordo Mass. On a biretia with three horns the empty corner is always worn on the left side. HAT SIZES FOR MEN 28 Inches divided by 3.1416 = Hat Size *® NUMBER SIZE INCHES METRIC LETTER SIZE 6% 20 1/4" 52 X-Small \ 6 5/8 20 3/4" 53 ~ (xS) 63/4 21:18" 54 ‘Small 6718 2112" 55 ) 7 2178" 56 Medium 7s SN 2214" 37 (™) 714 25/8" 58 Large 7 3/8 59 oO 7% 60 ‘X-Large 7518 6 ol) 7 3/4 62 XX-Large 7718 24 5/8" 63 (xxL) | 8 ae 64 —_— 1. Make patter without seam allowances from either poster board or a light weight plastic forthe different sizes (fig 2. By adding 1/8" to each of the side sections you increase the size 1/2". (Seam allowances are added when cutting the material.) 2. Trace and cut the 4 sections of the biretta from cardboard or posterboard for a stiffener in the biretta, Mark the sections that have 2 horns #1 & #2 and the sections with 1 hom #3 & # 4 (see fig3) 3. Mark the bottom of each section in the following manner: ae Jeficomer right comer A “3” 70 » “ 43 #4 > “cr 4, Mark a diagonal lines on each of the section E-F-G as shown on the illustration. 5, On #2 and #4 draw a fold line from F down to the center of the bottom and mark it Mark a fold line on each of the sections from E to G6. Fold # 1 & #3 along the fold line EG wrong sides together On #2 & # 4 fold on the fold line EG wrong sides together and fold FH. with right sides together. Using an plastic coated orange juice carton for stiffener (A square 1s gallon plastic coated orange juice container may be also used as a stiffener. Lay the pattern so that the fold lines are on the corners of the carton as follows: 4.) Cut biretta sections so that the fold of the carton runs horizontally on the lime E-G at the base of the horns. B,) Fold sections A-D and C-B vertically along the tine F-H. 7 Using the stiffener pieces you have made as a pattern, cut the face material and lining adding 1" seam allowances on the bottom and 3/8"on sides and homs. Marking on tape transfer the markings from the forms to the right side of the biretta pieces (see fig 4) 8. With right sides together pin and sew the lining to the biretta pieces leaving the bottom open to form a pocket. Turn to right side and press : 9. Slide stiffener pieces into the corresponding biretta sections. Tum bottom seam allowance under and pin in place. Hand stitch the opening closed. 10. On right side of sections #1 & 4 topstitch on the line EF and FG and #2 & 4 along the line EF 11. With wrong sides together handstitch the biretta sections together following the lettering--A to A , B toB, etc. If the biretta has been constructed correctly sections will fold inward so that the biretta will fold flat. 12. Attach the pom pom to the center of the biretta, A het band may be added to the inside of the biretta On the inside of the biretta mark the size.Biretta Pattern ic The largest size on the pattern 1s a size 73'S ‘The basic pattern(3/8) is a size 6 3/4 or 54 or 59 metric Site 5 4/8 Enclosed By adding 1/8" to each side you increase the aize 1/2" \ Mi Use cardboard for pattern adding seam allowance to material ] For childrea use yarn for pom-pom For priests I ordered from House of Hansen - Chicago 600-5: Using Father's biretta as 2 sample, you should have no tr:Biretta Pattern in CM Size: 58 CM (4 * 14.8 cm)Biretta Pattern in CM Size: 59 CM (4 * 15 cm)