4.6 how can I make a cape/cloak?

From: Trystan L. Bass
Most commercial pattern companies have a basic cape pattern. Butterick 3084 is a pattern for a really pretty lined cape with collar, caplet, and hood options. Also comes with a pattern for a long, straight skirt. McCalls 6774 is a basic cape with or without a hood, and it comes with a pattern for several wrap cloaks. Both patterns are marked "very easy" in sewing level. Also check in the "costumes" section of the pattern books -- some superhero and vampire costume patterns have very simple cape patterns included. For a fancier cape, look for Folkwear's Kinsale Cloak pattern, available at some fabric stores and by mail-order from AlterYears (see section 4.3). This Folkwear pattern may not be in print anymore, so if you find it, snap it up! Or, while you're looking in the AlterYears catalog, get their own faux-Kinsale Cloak pattern, which looks just like the Folkwear one.

From: Christabel La Motte
The British pattern company Style has another nice lined cape pattern. The pattern number is 2377, and it comes with all sizes from "small" to "extra-large" included. It has some collar variations that the Butterick pattern doesn't.

From: Cairo
Capes are extremely easy and most, if not all, mainstream pattern companies stock them (maybe not year-round). Just follow the directions included with the pattern. The one thing I can tell you that perhaps will not be included with the pattern directions is that you should hang your cape with some clothespins on the hem for weight for about 4-5 days before hemming. This will allow the cloth to stretch on the bias, and you will get a better fit and more even hemline.

From: Waz from Oz
Easiest cloak I made was to get four rectangular pieces of cloth, each as long as the cloak and half its width. You stitch two of them together lengthwise, and then the other two likewise:

cloak length (shoulder to ankle, for my height, 5'10")

------      ---------------------------------------------
:         :       :       :       :       :
:         :       :       :       :       :
: height: :   A   :   B   :   C   :   D   :
:         :       :       :       :       :
: 5' 10"  :       :       :       :       :
:         :       :       :       :       :
:         :       :       :       :       :
------      ---------------------------------------------

Then you fold A over B and D over C... these are the front panels so don't sew seam A-D. You then cut the outline of your shoulders (right shoulder over folded panels A-B and left C-D.) This gives a simple unlined cloak with flowing lines. Remember to leave a hole for your neck in the shoulder-top seam.

Hope that's clear. I made mine from $4-a-meter fine black corduroy and it looks pretty cool.

From: Lorelle Anderson
The easiest cloak pattern I've seen is a half-circle cloak. You use a piece of string to measure how long you want the cloak to be on you, then use it like a compass to mark a half-circle on a piece of fabric. Cut it out, cut another half-circle in the middle of the straight line for your head, and hem.

From: Tracyarts
Here is the way to get a half or full circle cloak, any length you want. First, you need to take a tape measure, measure from your neckline to where you want the cloak to end, add a couple of inches. If it is 45" or less, you need 45" fabric. If it is over 45" you need 60" fabric.

Now, take that measurement and multiply by two for a half-circle cloak, and by four for a full circle cloak. Divide by 36, and that is how many yards you need to buy. Example: I want a full circle cloak 60 long. I need 240 inches of fabric, that is 6.666 yards of fabric. 6 and 3/4 will do. But seven to allow for any shrinkage.

Cut the fabric into two equal length panels. Fold each lengthwise, so you have roughly a square. If your scissors can manage all four layers of the fabric, stack them on top of each other. Cut a string the length of the cloak, tie chalk to the other end. Have a buddy hold the loose end of the string tight at a corner on the fold line. You take the chalk end, pull taut, and draw an arc, from a fold corner to a corner with two loose pieces. You will have a 1/4 circle piece. Cut around this line.

Okay, with me? If you used both panels, you are done cutting, if the fabric was too thick, repeat the last steps. You now have two half-circles of fabric.

To get the neck hole, you will need to use geometry. Measure how large you wish your neckline to be. You need to get the radius of this smaller circle. (Ask anybody fluent in geometry to give you this formula.) This is the length your string needs to be. Make a smaller circle on the quarter circle, from fold end to loose end. Cut out. (For a half-circle, you will have to make a larger cut to accommodate the whole neckline, this is trial and error, make a paper trial cut first.)

You now have the two pieces to make your circle cloak. Stitch the two pieces along one set of edges, from neckline to hem, and you have your rough cloak. Finish the edges by binding them with seam binding, or turn them over.

If you want it lined, make two cloaks, stitch them together along the edges, leave a bit open on a straight edge and turn it right sides out, and stitch up the opening you turned it through. (Now, some only stitch the straight sides together, and finish the two layers of circular edge independently to give a better look.) Add your clasp, and you are through.

back to 4.5 make a corset or
on to 4.7 make a poet/pirate shirt

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