Skip to main content

Made by a Fabricista: Cape



The temps in the south have finally cooled down and I have began to sew some fall/winter items like this cape! I love capes and find them great for chilly weather that don't quite call for a coat. McCalls 7477 has been on my "to sew" list for years and I'm so glad I finally whipped it up. The pattern itself is a quick and straightforward sew and this wool really sewed up nicely.


I chose this 100% wool suiting mainly because I loved the checkerboard weave. Additionally it was a listed as a medium weight which was perfect for this cape as it was heavy enough to create some warmth yet still light enough to have some drape. There are still a few yards left so grab yours quickly! here If you love the checkerboard weave also see this heavier coating. I also love this houndstooth suiting. Or just check out ALL the suitings as there are several great options.


The only issue you may have with this fabric is fraying due to the loose weave, to prevent this I simply serged the raw edges before construction. If you don't have a serger, the zig-sag or overlock stitch on your machine will do the same things. Fraycheck is also an option.

The fusible interfacing I used for the collar and facing bonded smoothly to the wool, though I suggest interfacing both inner and outer collar for more structure. Another suggestion is to under stitch the collar to prevent it from rolling on the top edge. I'm not sure why the instructions skip this step.


Although sold out, I'll mention that these extra large gold snaps are also from Fabric Mart so don't forget to check out the Buttons and Findings section before checking out with your fabric purchase as there are some real gems there.




Although some hand stitching was required along the collar and the belt opening, McCalls 7477 sewed up quickly and easily. This cape can also be worn with a store bought belt or be worn beltless. 



I am not a fan of cold weather, but I must admit I love sewing coats, capes and jackets. Which do you prefer; capes or coats?

See you next month,

Tiffany
TipStitched

Comments

  1. Tiffany your make looks great on you!!! beautiful construction!! love the fabric choice!!

    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: 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...

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: Sewing the Chalk & Notch Hayes Dress

Hey lovely friends! With summer knocking at the door, I am absolutely ready for breezy dresses at all times. I love linen all year round, but summer is my particular favorite for this fiber. This bright happy color fills me with delight, and it’s so perfect in the sunshine.  For this project, I got all my supplies in one go! I chose this stunning Sea Green linen , lightweight fusible interfacing , ½” elastic , and of course, matching thread. If you haven’t sat down to create your own little sewing kit with all the bits at hand, it’s quite a nice gift to yourself and makes getting started that much easier. I’m all about ease these days.  I sewed the new Chalk & Notch Hayes Dress with the open back cutout, which is View A. The other two options are a closed-back dress and a two piece set. I was a tester for this charming pattern, and I can confirm the two piece set is also gorgeous and really fun to wear. I have looked forward to sewing this version for weeks!  Please...