Birkdale weaver Kay Faulkner scores a plum job to make the fabric for High Court judges' robes

Brisbane theatre and opera costume designer Bill Haycock was the designer and Ms Faulkner wove the fabric used as accent on the sleeves.

Ms Faulkner’s hand-woven sleeves are based on patterns of wavy sand ripples that evolve in shape from one end of the sleeve to the other.

The robes have seven equal tucks to symbolise the states and Commonwealth and a triangular motif which shows the court as Australia’s final avenue of appeal. Mr Haycock has previously designed Federal Court robes.

Ms Faulkner said the commission, which featured Australian merino wool and silk, was the highlight of her career.

She said Mr Haycock had heard about her work and contacted her about two years ago, offering her “an important job’’.

She did not find out for a further year what it was, although he warned her that people would be talking about it long after she was gone.

“It was pretty amazing,’’ she said. “The accent runs up the sleeves and I had to do enough for seven judges and some more for when other people are appointed.

“It’s been a long process and we had meetings to do samples and make a prototype and then that was presented to the judges. I have to keep taking a deep breath to think what I’ve done.’’

Ms Faulkner also wove bone scarves for the female judges.

She said because the robes were black, the cloth was made of wool and silk to create contrast.

“The robes are seen from a distance and they are black on black so to get any sort of pattern, you have to get contrast somehow,’’ she said.

“The contrast is with the different yarns. I get goosebumps when I think about it.’’

Ms Faulkner, whose work has appeared in places like Savile Row, London, said the robes were a career highlight.

Ms Faulkner has lived in the Redlands for 35 years and teaches weaving.