In Christmas of 2019, my father gifted me a wool cape from Germany. It was the last Christmas present I ever got from him, as he passed away from heart issues in March of 2020. I don't care what fashion is, this cape is awesome, and I'm going to wear it forever. Also, wool is not a very popular fabric where I'm from because hot desert, but it is a truly awesome fabric. 10/10 love.
That fabric is just a beautiful combination of colors. I wish I could find some just like it. I make short hooded cloaks all the time. Here's a little secret. For those of us who use wheelchairs and sit down a lot, a short cloak is the perfect garment to wear in cold weather. You make it short enough that you're not going to sit on it and it wraps around you. I usually make mine out of very cuddly fleece as the lining fabric. I also use a hook and eye rather than buttons, but lately I have discovered a trick of using very thin elastic as a tie around the collar. This allows me to stretch it over my head and put it on like a poncho. Another accessibility accommodation. As for wearing it on a commute, cloaks are not meant to be worn with modern-day backpacks on your shoulders. You could put one on under the cape but then you would look like a hunchback. Instead use large handled bags that you carry with your hands. Or in the crook of your elbow. A cloak is an elegant garment. And it's great for making a dramatic exit. Be careful if you need to wash that. The wool is going to distort and shrink like crazy. Usually I find I don't need to wash my cloaks very often. Maybe once a year. Have fun with your cloak!
That is so smart with the elastic, I'll have to add that to my sewing tricks list! I unfortunately commute with too many things to use a handbag and I don't mind looking hunchback lol.
It came out so nice! I almost exclusively wear capes or cloaks now - I wear purses or backpacks underneath and decided I just don’t care if it looks a little lumpy 😂
So I work in a fabric shop, and a tip I give people when they buy chiffon or rayon or anything that has a tendency to shift and move around really easily, is to pin the edges of the fabric directly into a carpet or rug before cutting, and cutting one piece at a time instead of on the fold, it’s tedious but honestly I’ve found it seriously saves a lot of frustration and recutting so is kind of worth it! Not so much for a lining but if your using something like that as a fashion fabric I’d recommend it!
Your cape is splendid. Congratulations on nailing the plaid matching. Maybe you already know this, but you can skip the dart tie-off step. Sew the dart to the end. Without cutting the thread, raise the presser foot and needle. Move the fabric a bit until the needle is near the fold of the dart. Stitch a few short stitches, then cut the thread, no hand tying necessary.
I really appreciate your comments about self care! You’re so awesome. I loooove this wool. So many contemporary plaids don’t have as rich colors as older ones. This one has so much depth! I hope you feel totally 100 soon! Edited to add: if you’re interested in post-religionism as imitation of religion, “Who is Charlie?” by Emmanuel Todd is so brilliant. I used it heavily for my thesis. Also, it’s a heavier read (theory) but “Fall of Public Man” by Richard Sennett. 😊 I did my masters in French studies and if you want to blow your mind there’s this one speech by Robespierre where he’s like “hey French people, come lay your Catholicism on the altar of Reason.” It’s so interesting! He’s a fascinating rhetorical figure. /nerdiness
Honey, your wool is going to get shiny if you dont use a pressing cloth EVERY TIME you use the iron!!! I’m old, I’ve been sewing since the 1960s. My teachers pounded it into our heads about about using pressing cloths with wool. Nice job matching the plaid. Very pretty color.
Oh no...I hope you're feeling all better now. I am so in the jacket/cape mood so was super excited to see this project. Love the fabric. It turned out so so pretty! (sidenote I thought you were saying quilts for a hot sec - bad ears over here - and let me say its a different audiobook description when you're thinking quilts vs cults...bah ha ha)
Love it! You did a great job matching the plaids and the color matches your hair so perfectly! I think this kind of cape would look great with a fancy frog closure (I think that's what those toggle/hook things are called haha). Over the Summer I picked up Butterick 7880 (also 1956!) which is a short cape/stole pattern and I bought a beautiful silk blend large plaid to make a Spring cape. I just hope I can get to it before Summer rolls in!
Yup that is a frog closure! A cape is an easier project to tackle since there is less fitting/closures and all the things that can make projects take longer.
Hi Haley Marie. I have never had a cape but would love to have one for the spring and autumn. I would put the arms in a slightly different place though to suit me. I did like your cape although plaids are not my thing.
Cute. If the cape is big enough, I'd have put the cape over the backpack . I have had a cape since the 1980s. I used to get a LOT of shit for wearing it. I no longer care.
What great timing, i just scored some 68% wool coating fabric yesterday for 6.50$ a meter on a random sale, and made plans for a cape! Glad i’ll have your video when it comes in to have some advice and tricks to manage such fabric!
It’s too cold here for capes during the winter (currently -14C/7F, and that’s not the coldest it gets), but i’ve been wanting one for the summer nights - i help out my partner during his lighting gigs for outdoor events, and it gets surprisingly chilly in the woods!
Lol I've said the exact same thing to strangers about it not being a special occasion and just not getting fired yet. Although I have been fired for it once so there's that 😂
Omg the colors on your cape are absolutely gorgeous. I would love to make one similar to yours. I had made a cape for myself with the arm slits and it definitely makes it alot easier to wear. My cape is really long and has a hood and i think it was a 1970s pattern i had used. Before I had my daughter this past year I wore my cape all the time. I made extra large pockets on the inside so I don't need a purse which I love. Although I don't wear it now cause I have to carry lots of bags and it makes it super inconvenient. once I don't need as much stuff to carry I can't wait to wear it again. I do have a you tube video of me reparing it and wearing it if you would like to see it. @ashleysvintagejourny4129
@Haley Marie Vintage you should definitely make it. I love my cape. It's definitely wonderful when it's raining or snowing because it covers everything. And the fabric I used is slightly water repellent. I drive school buses and I love wearing it in the winter cause it's like I always have a big warm blanket with me when it's cold.
It's by a brand called Christine Foley, it is actually a child's sweater I picked it up on Poshmark, they have a lot of great teacher sweaters but are kind of pricey!
I did wonder about the armhole placement; it didn't seem that practical. I suppose you could wear your backpack under the cape, but it would look a bit odd depending on the size of the backpack. A purse would probably be fine, tho.
middle class is between working class and upper class. so middle class has massive houses with at home staff kind of money. the working class is the kind that earns good money to live a comfortable life but do their own dishes. or at least they should be. which is why people talk about the disappearing middle class.
like jane austens characters are all middle class and they all have massive property and earn money by being land owners and all have home staff. that's middle class. it's landlord class but not mega rich class.
