Yes! A cape! I know, I know. When I told my husband I was making a cape, the first thing he said was, “like a superhero cape?”. Understandably, I suppose. I didn’t really know what to come back with apart from, “well, it’s called the…umm… “Harry” cape – like, umm, well… the boy wizard Harry Potter, …I guess?” To which he rolled his eyes and sniggered. “Or”, I followed up, “maybe it’s what Prince Harry wears when he ventures out amongst the civilians in LA. You know… more of a regal thing?”. Frankly, I have no idea, but since it’s from the “I AM Magic collection” along with my floaty Irma dress, I guess the former is more likely.
I’m not a cosplayer, nor a vintage gal, and so, although I often admire capes on other people, I always fear they’ll turn out a bit Robin Hood on me, if I’m honest. I’ve almost bit the bullet a few times before with other patterns, but never quite made it to the point of execution. So what’s different this time? Well, several things, now you ask. Firstly, I was rather taken with the pattern itself because, one, it’s a classic shape, but especially because it has cleverly situated pockets that make it look like a coat as much as a cape from certain angles. It also has a simple inset collar band and a full bagged-out lining.
Secondly, I scored a length of Pendleton melton wool at a ridiculously fabulous sale I was at a couple of years ago for about $5. I didn’t know it was Pendleton until I got home, but it felt lovely and this deep teal shade is gorgeous. The only drawback was that, although wide, there was only about 2.5 yards of it, which is not enough for a coat, or even really a long jacket. I had considered colour-blocking and all sorts of other things, but when I saw this pattern, this was the first piece of fabric I thought of.
Finally – well, I already mentioned in the last post I think – but I’m feeling a slight push towards making some of the things that I pushed down the project list as being not so practical in pre-Covid times. My recent Irma dress was a good example, and now this cape. I don’t know if it’s because I’m not going out anywhere anyway or if it’s that I don’t know anyone if I do go out, because I’m not meeting friends, or if I feel more anonymous masked, and therefore brave, (perhaps all three?), but the whole “will I actually wear it?” thing has gone out of the window at the moment. As it turns out, damn right I will wear this. I wore this whole little ensemble on a hike today and you know what? Now I know why Robin Hood and medieval people and… and… Link wore capes. Or cloaks maybe? Let’s call it a cloak actually. It feels like a woodland cloak.
They wore them because they are not only easy to make and throw on, but because they’re actually lovely to wear. I don’t know – I’ve never really thought about it hard, but I suppose subconsciously I just figured they hadn’t invented sleeves yet or that the cape was some sort of rich-person random fashion accessory, but actually my Harry cloak (I’m not sure I can take that name seriously tbh) is not only very warm and cosy, but it’s very practical. It’s heavy enough that it moulds to your form, keeping you dry and warm, but it’s also totally non-restrictive, which made it perfect for the hike. I would go as far as to say I preferred it to my usual modern waterproof hiking jacket. I suppose actually, thinking about it, the fact that it would fit a number of different people as long as you were very roughly the same size would have been rather handy too back in the day… also you could eat an eight-course lunch and nobody would be any the wiser… hmmm…
But I digress. I genuinely really enjoyed wearing it on our little daytrip and have gone from being slightly doubtful to a converted fan. Who’d have thought? Bring back capes and cloaks for everyone I say!
As you can tell, the success of this garment for me personally is all about the style and practicality of it and I don’t have too much technical detail to add. The construction is really rather streamlined and simple, being basically a circle of fabric with another circle of lining and a simple collar attached to it. I did make a couple of notes for myself and anyone else who might make the Harry cape though:
The instructions are adequate and concise, but they don’t particularly mention grading or understitching anywhere. Since I was using wool, grading was pretty crucial to avoid as much bulk as possible at seams and I also understitched the pockets and collar. I also steamed and used my clapper on the seams all the way through, but will probably give it another round, looking at the pics (I can also see a slightly misplaced button, so need to redo that too).
My only small issue with the pattern is the lining. Before I talk about it though, I must first say: the LINING! Ta da! I had this lovely piece of Jennifer Bouron rayon in my stash that I loved, but wasn’t sure what to do with and this was the perfect match. I love it and love the way you get flashes of it as you’re moving.
Anyway, back to the details. Firstly, the fashion fabric back piece and the lining pieces are the same pattern piece, which is not an issue, except that they have separate cutting lines, so watch out for that. I missed it, although it’s easy to cut the lining down later.
More importantly, I feel like my lining was just a bit too long. It’s shorter at the side seams to allow for the placket, but it’s the same length as the outer layer, and it hangs a little low in some areas once it’s bagged out, even after careful pressing. I notice that in some of the official pictures (the child’s versions), it’s also hanging a bit low, so I think I should have shortened it by around half an inch or so. I AM Patterns suggest topstitching it to fix the issue, but I’m slightly concerned I’m going to put tucks in the lining now, so I’m mulling it over.
Ooh, sizing – I almost forgot. This is the 48, which technically represents a size and a half down from my measurements. I was sort of going for my high bust measurement-ish and then ignoring any FBA or grading for obvious reasons. I think it’s fine and I think another size down would also have been fine. Probably a size up too. That’s another good thing about making a cape/cloak – the fitting is easy!
So, there we are. I’ll be interested to come back to this in a year or so and see how much I actually do pull it out of the closet, but it’s off to a good start, so fingers crossed! I recommend giving it a go!
Belle Citadel 
2 1/2″ yards of Pendleton wool at that price!? HOLY MOLY!
I had a similar lining situation with a coat a few years ago. I should’ve gone ahead and trimmed off about 1/2″, but instead I just did tiny box pleats at intervals along the sewing line, then topstitched, and the lining stayed in place nicely. It looked like an intentional secret design detail, lol.
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Yes, it was nuts. I had no intention of buying anything at all (y’know, that old chestnut) but was accompanying a friend because it was a sewing group sale at someone’s house and she didn’t want to go alone. The lady told me they only do it every 3-5 years and there was tons and tons and they were selling by weight. The pieces were rolled up, so you couldn’t see exactly what it was, but I ended up spending $17. When I got home I had that wool, 2yds of a Nani Iro knit, 4yds of a vintage rayon (I made my Highlands Wrap Dress from it), several other pieces, patterns etc. I knew even then I would probably never ever best this sale, because it really was donated pieces from people who actually sew, so a lot of great stuff. I felt so guilty that I wasn’t a member of the sewing group (it wasn’t mandatory, but still…) that I joined for the year! Hah.
And thanks for the suggestion! I’m really glad to hear you tried that and it looked okay, because I’m never sure if I’ll wreck something. I was actually quite happy with my sewing on this one! I may well give that a go. 🙂
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Stunning photos Claire! I also succumbed to the allure of a cape a couple of years ago but then found that when I carried things – handbag, work bag etc – most impractical! And I always seem to be carrying stuff. It looks divine however!
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That’s an excellent point that I hadn’t considered, Linda! It’s funny, but I don’t seem to carry very much these days, (since my kid got to the potty-trained stage), which is probably why I didn’t think about it. I haven’t used a handbag/bag in a couple of years, except on special occasions, but no doubt I will end up needing one again regularly at some point, so I will probably find out then. 😀 Thanks for the compliments though! This was out on a little island near Seattle – it’s really pretty out there.
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Executive outwear dress. Exellent looking photos. I like. Good sewing dress. Decently.
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This is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing! This is up next for me but I want to put a fleecy/furry lining in it. I think the kids version has that. Perhaps it would help with the dipping of the lining below the hem? Thoughts from your experience? I’m thinking i will go full Red Riding Hood!
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Hee hee – thanks for your comment (s)! 🙂 I’ve done that so many times, I can’t tell you. I think a furry lining sounds amazing! So cosy! Full Red Riding Hood for the win! If I make Harry again, I would definitely shorten the bottom of the lining slightly – maybe 1/2 inch to start and see. It’s hard to say for a fleece-type lining, but I would imagine you would still have too? Because the construction is pretty simple, I’d say it would be easy to baste it together first, turn it out and see? I should really have done that!
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I found a crazy yellow and green rayon for the lining with an indigo boiled wool. Thanks for your reply! I’m cutting tonight!
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I just made a teal wool cape myself, but a different pattern! I’ll be blogging about it soon, after I get the buttons on. I love your lining!
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Oh excellent – which pattern did you use? I’ll look out for your post!
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It’s the Seamwork Camden. I should be done with it in the next day or two!
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I love your Harry cape!! It’s very pretty. I agree about the name haha!
I just wondered if you had any other issues with the lining when fitting the collar? I don’t know if I’ve missed a panel in the lining but it doesn’t seem to fit (comes up short!). So frustrating.
Many thanks,
Gemma
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Oh thank you so much, heh heh. I’m afraid I don’t recall having any other lining issues – I’m pretty sure the length of the hem was the main issue. Is it coming up short width-ways? I know it took me a minute to figure out exactly how they wanted me to attach the lining to the edges/plackets. I’m just checking through my photos and that was my only other hiccup until I figured it out.
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It was me don’t worry – I must have attached the pieces wrong! Goodness knows how but never mind eh 😉 thanks for getting back to me!
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Oh yeah – I’ve done that plenty! Glad you figured it out!
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Hey girl! I bought a David Lawrence (Australian designer) caped jacket several years ago, and being into cos play/nonsense means that it’s my long time favourite go to for all things. Re handbags: long straps and over the head/arm to hang across the body (mine has an asymmetric zip). I’m gutted to say that the moths have started at mine, and I’m thinking of taking my hair straighteners to the hole and patching with tartan Paul Smith, a la Anglomania.
Capes are glorious. I feel like the best fictional character version of myself when I wear mine. It’s rainy and cold in Berlin today so I’m gonna wear it later, with my umbrella samurai strapped to me. Or a hat.
You look FABULOUS in that colour, btw, and WHAT A WIN on the fabric. I’m debating whether I should try to copy mine and add a detachable hood to go full Maid Marion. Who’s to stop me?
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Hey you! Great to hear from you! Maid Marion for the win, I reckon! Why not, eh? And in Berlin, nobody’ll bat an eyelid, I’m sure. Seattle meanwhile… hmm. There are lots of things I LOVE about living here, but when it comes to fashion, the best way to describe it is “laid-back”. It’s no London or Berlin – so I do get some very strange looks in some of my clothes when I’m out and about. But in a nice way. I’ve got nothing against plaid shirts (at all, I love them) and jeans, but the point of sewing for me is to make some nice clothes and some FABULOUS clothes (or as close as I can get), so I’m definitely going to wear them!
Your cape sounds amazing and I’m sorry about the moths. I found one in my sewing room the other day and was horrorstricken, but my husband reckons he had the front door open to do something and he saw him/her fly in. Fingers crossed! How’s Berlin treating you? Did I tell you my SIL has an alternative clothes boutique there? Her and Chris moved there a few years back. It’s such a fun place and especially in the summer – hope you’re having a blast! xx
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