How do you make/sew a graduation robe (for nursery)?

[spub]

My dd's nursery manager just asked me if I could sew (sadly not). One of the nursery nurses wants to make little black graduation gowns for the nursery kids who are leaving to go to school. They'd rather not make "cloak" style gowns (too witchy, apparently!)and would like to be able to re-use them in the coming years. Any ideas for how best to do this? I'm clueless but did volunteer to ask the might of Mumsnet!

[brimfull]

are you serious

[Feistybird]

no!!!

[southeastastra]

i suppose for the hats you could do some papier mache on a balloon and then sort of cut it into shape, as for the gowns, i dont really know just a standard rectangle with a gap at the front.

it would be easier to use black bin liners! why did they ask you if you could sew if one of the nurses wants to make them, i suppose its original!

[nothercules]

eh?

[Pinotmum]

Glad it's not just me. I've been asked to make an Elephat Costume and Rainbow Costume for dd and ds for Thursday Poetry day. Do they think the Blue Peter Team live in y f'in house??

[spub]

ROFL
I think I may have the look of a mother who can sew and do clever and capable things (so not true!!) and they didn't want me to do it - just to maybe explain to the sewing nursery nurse how it might be possible!

[zippitippitoes]

How funny..what colour silks are they having?

[roisin]

[puke]
One of the nurseries in town does this - I've seen piccies in the local rag. I think it looks awful - really tacky and twee. Yuck!

[sugarfree]

A long T-shaped tunic,spit up the front.

[Skribble]

\link{http://www.paisley.ac.uk/studentservices/childcare/nur-ptograd2.asp\Nursery graduates}, its a university nursery so I suppose they are getting to copy mum or dad.
\link{http://www.davidlammy.co.uk/da/20388\Nice blue numbers}
\link{http://www.jostens.com/kinderkraft/caps_gowns.asp\American take on the idea}

[threebob]

Graduating from nursery? WTF

What's wrong with a little tiara or crown thing and having your photo taken?

[micromum]

There is a company that hires out graduation gowns for nursery kids and takes the pictures as well if you want them to, and the nursery gets some money for every picture sold. My daughter had it done when she was in nursery and they came out really nice. If you want more info just let me know and i will find out the name for you.

[tissy]

It's pretty common in Scotland, my dd is graduating in a fortnight, but I haven't been asked to make a gown, thank God! I just go along with it; being a Sassenach, it's just another scottish peculiarity that I will have to get used to (like odd school terms, the deputy head being called the "Depute", head girl/ boy being called "Dux", no O and A levels, University lasting 4 years....)it's bloody baffling, I can tell you!

[tissy]

actually, think I might be wrong about the Dux , just googled it, and apparently, it's the highest achiever, so not necessarily the same thing!