Inverness Cape

[Pleater]

I believe there are various designs - ones where the arm covering is two separate pieces joined on at each side of the back, others where the cape is sewn in place across the back and a third where the upper part is a full cape sewn only to join it at the top under the collar.

These take progressively more material, of course.

The problem with using fleece is that it tends to cling to itself, so the cape would not fall freely.

I have a cloak with a shoulder cape and lined it with the coverings of dead umbrellas collected up after a high wind arrived after most of the day had been calm but very wet. The streets were strewn with stricken brollies and I collected half a dozen, a couple of which were recoverable and the rest became something else.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[JerseyLawyer]

I have a cloak with a shoulder cape and lined it with the coverings of dead umbrellas collected up after a high wind arrived after most of the day had been calm but very wet. The streets were strewn with stricken brollies and I collected half a dozen, a couple of which were recoverable and the rest became something else.

I have this vision of the streets littered with broken umbrellas in a scene resembling the "cast of thousands" in 'Gone With the Wind'. At least they gave their lives in a noble cause, eh?

[Pyper]

Well I bought 5 yards of 60" black fleece (anit-pilling) today for $20.

Will update as progress is made. I figure at the very worst, it will be nice to wear around the house on cold mornings before the fire warms things up.

It should be a fairly easy project. You don't even need to hem fleece. In comparing the drape of the fleece to the drape of wool, it's not too bad. I agree a lined woolen cape would be a lot warmer, but this is South Carolina, so it's not really an issue 350+ days of most years.

I also saw some gray, coat weight wool. It would make a really nice looking cape. But it was also $24 a yard.

[Pyper]

Well, I started cutting pieces of the fleece material. I've got everything cut out but the collar. It took about two hours. It definitely takes 5 yards of 60" material. Fleece has a nap, so all the parts need to be aligned.

I'm still thinking through the order to sew the parts together. I think I need to assemble the body and the cape, and then join them at the collar. I still haven't decided for sure how I'm going to put the buttons on -- i.e., whether I want to put them under a flap or allow them to show. I'm thinking of the later.