Skip to main content

Made by a Fabricista: It's Cape Time!




 Hey there!  It's been a while, but I'm Jess, and I'm back with some more maternity-able garment delight for you.




When planning this project I originally had another pattern in mind; the Butterick 6301 maternity and baby wearing coat. But once I got this beautiful cashmere/wool coating in my hands, I felt like the silhouette of the coat just didn't do it justice.




 When Vogue released their Holiday 2017 patterns, I saw 9288 and I knew...


 ...I knew it had to be mine.  By that point I'd already gotten the fabric for the coat, and by some sewing miracle I had JUST enough to make the medium length cape (3 3/4 yards, which is exactly what view B calls for with 60" fabric).  Destiny, amirite?


But, a cape?  In cold, cold Wisconsin?  Is that really a good choice?  We'll just say I'm often way too practical in my sewing and I have wanted to try sewing a cape for YEARS, but the thought of time put into a not-oft-worn garment has always stopped me.


That said, I'd heartily argue that the silhouette of a cape is the perfect baby bump accompaniment.  Plus, with where the closures end at this cape (just below bust on me) it can be easily worn belted or not, regardless of your midsection's current state!  


 In a nutshell:  I used my pregnancy as an excuse to make this wonderment happen.  Practicality be damned!


If this fabric looks familiar, it's because it is!  Ann made a beautiful duffle coat with it.  It's a dusty purple Armicale wool/cashmere blend that is quite deliciously soft and has a wonderful drape.  It's currently sold out, but you can find some alternatives here.



And, what do I think of the finished product?  It's a little cumbersome to get on and off, with all of the buttons.  And, it's a little hard to use one's arms even with a front opening that high and generous.  This is a show-cape y'all.


Those specks on my cape?  Not lint; it was lightly snowing as I took these photos.


But, I do enjoy the drama of it.  It's so far from my typical wheelhouse.  I mean, how do you not do this when you're wearing a cape?


I had originally planned to line the cape with a "warm" winter lining that I purchased for another project, but with only 2 yards on hand, it just wasn't enough.  I think I could've squeaked by with 2 1/2 yards to line, but alas it was not meant to be. 


 In an effort to make it look nice on the inside still, I decided to finish my seams with pre-made bias tape.  Not as nice as I could've made myself, but my time and energy is at a premium these days.  I used the tape on every seam and also the hem, to the tune of four packages: about 16 yards of bias tape.  Mama mia!



And there it is...one picturesque lavender cape, one 3/4 baked baby, and a whole lotta glorious cashmere blend warmth.


Thanks for reading!  Until our next sewing adventure...


Jess



Comments

  1. Gorgeous! A pregnant mommy needs to sew whatever delights you - practical or not!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, thank you Sewingkm. And you're right: sometimes you just have to sew what you want to sew!

      Delete
  2. It's so, so, so perfect. I love every single bit of it!

    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: Pattern Emporium’s Lyrical Top Featuring Fabric Mart Fabrics

 Sewn in a lightweight  rayon challis , this top combines style, comfort, and fluidity. There’s one thing I love in a summer sew: effortless drape—and the Lyrical Top by Pattern Emporium delivered just that. This pattern is a new release, and when I spotted this dreamy rayon challis from Fabric Mart Fabrics, I knew it was the perfect pairing. Lightweight, breathable, and with just the right amount of movement, the fabric really brought the pattern to life. Today, I’m sharing all the details—from fabric choice and construction to styling and fit—plus a few thoughts on why this top might just become a repeat sew. Pattern Overview: The Lyrical Top by Pattern Emporium The Lyrical Top is a relaxed-fit design with bloused sleeves and a gently flared frill cuff. It comes with three sleeve lengths and two neckline variations. I chose the tie-neck view, but there’s also a collar option for a slightly different vibe. I’ve been looking to add more stylish tops to my wardrobe this year, a...

Made By A Fabricista: A matching set and a happy error.

 Hi sewing friends! Today I’m sharing a new outfit I made inspired by looks I’ve been seeing pop up in my Facebook and IG feeds a LOT this year. I’m talking about those monochromatic matching top and bottom outfits, sometimes in linen, sometimes in a flowy knit - the ones that advertise they go effortlessly from loungewear to office wear to going out wear. So I decided to “sew the look” using Fabric Mart fabric and a few patterns I already in my massive pattern library. First, let me share that I have very few solid color pieces in my closet. I’m so taken in by whimsy and geometric prints that this is still a gaping hole in my wardrobe -  a matching solid color set was actually a practical addition for me.  So let me walk you through how I created this look, and also tip you off to an error I made while cutting that worked out pretty well after all. Can you spot the error? Hint - it’s somewhere in the top: Here’s how I went about building my matchy match outfit. And here’...

Made By A Fabricista: Oversized Jenna Shirt for Summer Fun

 I may or may not have had several meltdowns during the making of this Closet Core Jenna Shirt… But let’s back up first. During the month of May, I promised to wear handmade garments every single day for the popular sewing challenge “Me Made May.” I really enjoyed thoughtfully putting together my outfits each day. While I was doing this, I was taking notes of the gaps in my wardrobe. Particularly, I don’t have many transitional shirts that could work for on-camera work attire and be comfortable for the weekend. When I saw this delicious cotton lawn on the Fabric Mart website, I knew that I wanted to make a button up shirt that would be both work appropriate and a nice overshirt for summer evenings over my tanks and tees.  I have made a few button up shirts before using a vintage Stretch & Sew pattern but I decided to try my hand at the Closet Core Jenna Shirt (up to a 60” chest) which has had rave reviews on social media and pattern sites for being a great pattern with e...