How to Make a Tallis
A Tallis, or tallit, is a Jewish shawl, donned during prayers around the shoulders, and is made of wool with knotted fringe on each corner. The knotted fringe are known as Tzitzit. Decorative fringe is often added between the required corner fringe. The Tzitzit must be knotted and wound according to tradition. According to the Jewish Virtual Library, "In the Torah, there is a commandment to wear 'fringes' on the corners of garments. That is, all garments of a certain size or larger, which have at least four corners, must have strings known as Tzitzit attached." With careful preparation, you can sew your own Tallis.
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Things You'll Need
- Wool rectangle, 23 inches by 46 inches
- Tape measure
- Straight pins
- Cotton or silk thread
- Sewing machine
- Crochet hook, No. 4-9 (3.50 mm to 5.50 mm)
- Awl
- 16 Wool embroidery thread strands, 24 inches long
- Scissors
Instructions
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1
Measure and fold the 45-inches long edges of the Tallis over half-inch against the wrong side of the fabric. Fold over half-inch again. Pin. Sew, using a half-inch seam allowance and straight stitch, on both edges of the Tallis. Remove pins.
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2
Measure up 2 inches from the bottom of the (now) 21-inch-wide end. Mark with a pin. Repeat for the other end. Sew a straight line across this measurement indication. This marks the end of the fringe and beginning of the Tallis proper. Remove pins.
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3
Use an awl to poke the holes in the corners. Measure 3 inches up, vertically, from the bottom right corner of the Tallis end, and 1.5 inches to the left of the right hemmed edge. According to Star-K Kosher, "To be considered within the parameters of the corner, the hole must be made...vertically and horizontally from the edge of the garment to the point of intersection. Measurements are not made diagonally." Use an awl to poke a hole at these intersecting measurements on each of the four corners.
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4
Place the hole beneath the machine's pressure foot. Using a tight zigzag, sew around the inside of the hole creating a "buttonhole" finish to reinforce the Tzitzit holes.
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5
Use a crochet hook to "pick" the raw edges of the wool on each end, unraveling the fibers to the sewn line. "Comb" out the fringe with your fingers. According to Star-K Kosher, "There may not be any other fringes protruding from the corners of the garment." Start at the right edge and tie two pieces of fringe into a knot near the sewn line, continuing along the end until all the fringe has been knotted. Repeat for the other Tallis end.
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6
Loop the Tzitzit strings through the corner holes. Loop four 24-inch wool threads (Tzitzit strings) through the holes in each corner. Pull the four strings through the holes, bringing the eight ends together evenly.
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Tie the Tzitzit strings by holding the threads as you would tie a shoe, tying a knot. Twist the threads together tightly three times, and then tie the whole group into a knot. According to Lev Eisha, "The minimum is a knot, three windings, and a knot."
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Tips & Warnings
If in doubt, consult your Rabbi.
References
- Photo Credit talith image by SADIA from Fotolia.com Jewish holiday: menorah, book and sunshine image by Boguslaw Mazur from Fotolia.com menora of modern style on white image by Gregory Cristal from Fotolia.com
