Skip to main content

Made By a Fabricista: Falling In Love with Wool

Hello Fashionistas!!

Sewing with wool has been on my bucket list forever. To be specific, a wool cape, a winter coat and a french jacket.

Earlier this year when I launched my blog I thought about all the sewing projects I would like to make. It was a reasonable list... twenty one items in all.. and number six on the list was a wool cape, which has now been crossed off my list :)


Its finally DONE!!!!  I am so in love with the final product. I have been working on this for the past three days while my kid naps :)


I wanted something unique so I chose a vintage pattern. I wanted a superior fabric and I wanted to work with 100% wool. I picked a camel/taupe brushed wool that was such a pleasure to work with.


I sewed up Simplicity pattern 9669, view 2


On my version I only used two buttons as opposed to four. I also eliminated the waist tie and styled the cape with a leather belt instead. This is a big cape, so to create a good proportion, I used a wide belt. 


Here is side view and back view. The fabric drapes beautifully!




The cape looks different when worn without a belt and I like that look too!

  
I am simply in love with the sleeves and they make me feel like a butterfly! I chose a floral lining. Isn't it adorable?


As I was wrapping up pictures, my kid decided to join the party. I had some leftover fabric and cut a small cape for her as well, but have not sewn it up yet. That's next on my list...


I learned a good bit about working with wool.  I had it pre-shrinked by sending it to the cleaners. I learned that is takes special care to avoid overpressing and shine. I also mastered the art of perfect top stitching! What a joy..This project required more work, but the end result was so worth it.. This cape will be in my wardrobe for a long time..

That's all for now.. I am taking a one day break before jumping into my biggest project of the year... a Melton wool winter coat....

Hope you enjoyed reading this! Leave me a comment and let me know what you are working on... And if you like this vintage cape.. add it to your bucket list! And if you want a super yummy 100% wool, check out the selection of wools HERE

Until next time.. 

XOXO-

Comments

  1. It's a lovely addition to your wardrobe. I follow you on periscope. I'm mommabearcrafts (Sue).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI Sue! Thank you. It's been nice connecting with you and periscope :) I hope to catch you on periscope soon :)

      -Vatsla

      Delete
  2. This cape is beautiful! Your sewing skills and styling skills are equally impressive. And I adore the lining!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Stephanie! That's a very sweet complement :)

      -Vatsla

      Delete
  3. I love your vintage cape! The wide belt looks very chic and contemporary. It looks great on, and the lining steals the show! What a great idea to use a pop of color/contrast instead of a tone on tone lining color. I love your blog! What an inspiration you are. You little one is beautiful like her mom!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you bPatricia!! I appreciate your sweet comment. I have actually cut out a mini cape for my daughter with the leftover fabric and will be sewing that up next week :) That's coming to the blog soon :)

      -Vatsla

      Delete
  4. You look amazing! and the lining is a lovely surprise :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I Love the cape!!! And you make a beautiful model for it!!! You could make a beautiful model as well!!! After seeing your cape I am inspired to use some wool I have about the same color to do the same!!! Anxious to see your next project posted!!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made by a Fabricista: The Bernadette

Hello friends,  My Latest Fabricista Make: Friday pattern Co Bernadette Skirt x Midnight Navy Cotton/Lycra Sateen Stretch Denim Hi everyone, this is Byrd with my latest Fabricista make! When I saw Fabric Mart’s Muted Midnight Navy Cotton/Lycra Sateen Stretch Denim , I knew it would be perfect for my next project. The color is rich and versatile—a deep navy that works as a neutral but still has presence. The stretch denim has just the right balance: structure with a bit of give, making it great for a garment that needs both shape and comfort. It’s an ideal fabric for fall transitions, but it’s sturdy enough to carry straight into winter with tights and boots. For the pattern, I chose the Bernadette Skirt by Friday Pattern Company . This is one of their newer designs, and I knew immediately I wanted to sew it up. It’s a modern skirt that blends structure and style, with darts in the back and pleats in the front for a flattering fit. One of my favorite features is the belt, and of co...

Made By A Fabricista: Falling for Knits

We are now well into Fall, even though the temps are still relatively warm here in Texas.  I love the fall season and dressing for Fall.   When it comes to the conversation of knits vs. wovens I typically sew mostly wovens. So for this post I decided to sew completely knits!  With the holiday season right around the corner I saw these three dress styles as perfect for Friendsgiving/Thanksgiving gatherings.  The first look is a tried and true pattern Simplicity S9372.  Using this gorgeous burgundy ponte knit , I like how this pattern fits throughout. I chose this color to add to my typically neutral palette in my closet.  I also wanted something I could wear to my sorority meetings and found this color perfect.  It's an easy sew with back fisheye darts  and invisible zipper to add to the tapered style.  The neckline and armholes are finished with bias binding giving it a clean finish on the inside.  I used a universal needle to sew a...

Made By A Fabricista: The Art of the Slow Make: My La Forme Double-Breasted Jacket

I started this project back in July — one of those mid-summer sewing plans meant to get me ahead for fall. My idea was simple: start my wardrobe a season (or two) early so that when cooler weather came, I’d already have a few handmade pieces ready to wear. That was the plan, anyway. But as sewing often reminds us, plans evolve. This jacket, made using La Forme pattern No. 0303, is a double-breasted design with peak lapels and an exaggerated hip detail that gives it such a striking silhouette. I fell in love with the structure of the pattern right away — it has that timeless, tailored feel I can never resist — but it also asked for patience. I picked it up and put it down several times over the months, letting it rest while I worked on other projects, until finally, the timing felt right to bring it to life. And now, here we are — the leaves are turning, there’s a chill in the air, and some parts of the country are even seeing snow. My summer-started jacket is finally finished, and it c...