Yesterday was the last day of the cape-a-long and was my cape coat finished by then? No it was not!
I blame the weather. It has been too hot and muggy in my sewing room for me to be in there for long. The cape coat is pretty detailed to begin with and then I had to add even more details. Like some Turn of the Cloth fiddly stuff.
Turn of cloth is when the facing of a collar or cuff or, say, a cape on a cape coat, is smaller than the collar or cuff or cape itself.
And, of course, I had to draft both the collar and the cape part myself which means two or three mockups of those elements, lots of pinning and trying on and so on.
Then the pockets! The pattern I adapted came with a perfectly good pocket pattern, but I had to fiddle with it. The velvet is fairly thick so I wanted to use something lighter for the pocket bag. I decided on muslin.
But the muslin is white and I feared it would show. Even a tiny amount of it would really show up against the dark brown. So I cut the side edge of the pocket a couple of inches in so that the pocket has two pieces. Fiddly, but it worked out nicely.
I based my coat off a Burda pattern and we all know what that means, right? That’s right, dear friends, NO SEAM ALLOWANCES. I kinda like this feature actually. Sick and wrong, I know, but there it is.
I lay the pattern pieces on the wrong side of the fabric, trace around them with chalk, and add the seam allowances using a 5/8″ strip of heavy card. Then again with the lining.
Oh! AND! to deal with the lining and facings, I had to trace off the pattern pieces from the the regular pattern pieces. Burda, you know. There wasn’t a line for the back facing so I had to make that up. My proudest moment? Notches. I remembered to mark notches.
So this is where I am. the lining is all sewed up. The body of the coat is all sewed up. The cape and the collar are basted on, though I need to rip and re-do a couple of things. The sleeves are together and the sleeve linings are basted on.
Once I get the lining of the body in, I think it will be just finishing stuff. I may not do a vintage pattern for September’s challenge, but I will definitely keep my TMS friends up to date on the Cape Coat (from hell).
wow! you went all out on challenging yourself & it paid off, it looks great!
Helen
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Wow, this is looking so interesting. When you finish you’ll be able to revel in the glory, all pain soon forgotten…
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wow this has been a huge amount of work – but it looks like it will be fantastic!
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Sorry to hear you’ve been having trouble! The cape-jacket looks great so far, I’m looking forward to seeing it finished. 🙂
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Oh yes please keep us updated, I am excited to see it finished and photographed, it looks like it is going to be so classic. I like no seam allowances either, you can come join my club 😉
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Wow, you’re certainly challenging yourself, sewing velvet as well as making your own pattern. It’s going to be amazing!
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I think the end result will be stunning, so better to be late and fashionable than on time but look like rags! Good luck with finishing your cape-coat!
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I am in awe of all the talent out there. this is a cape AND a coat, truly awesome. I think you are on the home straight now, can’t wait to see it finished.
I have a leather belt just like the one in your photo, : )
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This has to be the most detailed cape in the challenge. It looks amazing and I’m looking forward to seeing the finished product.
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I think your cape is going to be wonderful. I find it funny, though, that most people are complaining about Burda’s lack of seam allowances. I actually prefer to add them myself. That’s how I learned to sew, anyway 🙂
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There is so much detail and work involved it your cape! A real treasure, I’d say.
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Thanks! I am very pleased with it. I’m pleased because I dug out some rusty pattern making skills too. Very rusty; it’s a good thing I haven’t hurt myself on them.
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Goodness, you have been through the wars, haven’t you!
But you set up quite a challenge and should definitely feel pleased & proud as punch with yourself, even now!
Keep at it and you’ll be wearing the finished gem quite soon.
del
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Looks like it is going to be wonderful. Keep at it and it will get finished!
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THank you! I am not really despairing, and it’a long weekend, isn’t it? (In the US anyway.)
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Yes which I am truly grateful for. I have tons of college football on tv to keep the guys busy so I can sew!
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