Labyrinth Making 101

My church had their annual women's retreat last weekend. It was a great time of experiencing God amidst the reality of life.

The theme of the retreat was the story of Exodus, which mostly consists of the Israelites wandering in the desert. We learned how God can rescue us from slavery, walk with us through the desert to the promise land, and then do it all over again. I worked with some other women to put together some activites to help us experience and express this theme of journey.

My grandma's church has a large stone labyrinth which they use for exactly that. Meditating and walking in a pattern, towards a center, and then walking out again. I was very excited about the idea of bringing a labyrinth to the retreat to help us experience journey.

I looked into buying and making labyrinths. Turns out portable labyrinths are REALLY expensive...esp for a church budget. I found some instructions on how to make one with masking tape...and after lots of discussions with my planners, and my resident engineer...that's Wes of course. We decided to take on the challenge.

So, now I bring to you Labyrinth Making 101. I hope you enjoy the journey!

Step 1: Buy supplies and determine the size of your labyrinth.

We decided to go for a 24' x 24' feet labyrinth. We also went for the Chartres Labyrinth pattern, but we had to modify it to 7 circuits rather than 11 so there would be enough space for the pathways.

We used the instructions here for a masking tape labyrinth, but adjusted the measurements accordingly for the 7 circuits, and just sketched it rather than use masking tape.

Supplies:
Enough painters drop cloth (or other canvas) to put together a 24'x24' square. For us, this was 8 pieces, 4 9'x12's and 4 4'x12's.
Heat'n Bond Iron on Adhesive
Iron
Twine
Measuring tape
weights and pole
outdoor paint
1 roll masking tape
2 light colored markers

Step 2: Iron together drop cloths

We laid out the drop cloths peice by piece, cut the Heat'n bond in long strips, and then ironed everything together to create our giant square.

Looks easy enough...but takes a lot of time! Maybe 5-6 hours for 2 people. Probably less time if you had a large enough space to lay out the whole thing...unlike our living room.

Step 3: Trace pattern

Using something heavy or taped down to the center (the masking tape directions suggest a plunger taped to the ground...but we thought that was gross) create a compass kind of a thing using a pole and a string. We stacked some free weights and put the bar in the center to be the base. We attached twine to the bar, with masking tape markers at the different intervals for the 7 circuits.

Then, using the markers, trace concentric circles to create the circuits. Once you have concentric circles, you can trace the boundaries of the paths. We followed this pattern for a modified 7 circuit Chartres Pattern. (Click the picture to get an explanation from the product description)

Step 4: Paint pattern

After you have the pattern sketched out, it's easy! Just paint over the sketch with a roller!

Paint in the boundaries between the paths...Paint the rosette in the center. This creates little spaces for multiple people to stand in the center.
And then of course, if you're from the Vineyard Church, paint some grapes in the corners to add your own flare :).
Step 4.5: Let husband paint second half

Since we didn't have a space to lay out the whole 24'x24' square, we had to paint half, then let come back the next day to paint the second half. I was unable to be there to paint the second half, and Wes finished it so quickly, by the time others were going to join him, he was done!

Look at that awesome work!The paint needed to try about 3-4 hours before folding up labyrinth.

Step 5: Set up and enjoy!

The following week at the women's retreat, the labyrinth was ready to go. I got to set it up and see the whole creation for the first time.
Then many women were able to enjoy the walk of the labyrinth. It was awesome to see so many people enjoy what we had made.

And now the labyrinth is ready and waiting for the next walk.

Thank you to Lindsay, Elizabeth, Brain, & especially Wes for helping make this creation!