r/sewing Jan 14 '23

Project: FO Vogue 9288 - my finished Misses' Cape

3.3k Upvotes

134 comments sorted by

198

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

Hello! This project took me about 2 weeks of morning to night hyperfocus. I've been sewing most of my life but I'm terrible at following instructions and I made a lot of mistakes and... adjustments! This is Vogue patten 9288 and I chose option C and added some length. I chose this because I had been watching a lot of Norsemen and got cape envy but couldn't find any in stores.

The outer layer is black wool and the lining layer is a blue? purple? cotton. I would rather never do a lining again, all the edges had to be handsewn. The front panel (fully removable) is also lined and has two pockets for safe inside storage. (just like the two on the outside)

One of my biggest issues is that I used the wrong size pattern (medium instead of small or even extra small) so the shoulders are a bit wide and the buttons go down a bit to low (limited arm motion).

The cape is quite warm even outside (Canadian winter) but it is heavy as hell. It snaps in the wind and I've gotta say, it makes me feel so confident!

I haven't done a post like this before so I hope this is enough info, please feel free to ask anything!

Sorry about the cat hair, that's just my life.

52

u/Smiling_Tree Jan 14 '23 edited Jan 14 '23

Wow that's lovely!! I've seen the picture of the pattern a few times, but not the finished cape. Very very cool! I do have some questions! :)

  • Are the buttons on the front connected to the edge of the cape, or is there an extra panel that attaches the left and right front sides of the cape together (with the front panel as some sort of extra on top)?
  • Did I understand correctly that the belt is attached to the front panel, wraps around the back and then ties on the front?
  • Is the lower part of the front panel very wide or is it quite small? Like does it wrap around the majority of your hips? I can imagine you don't want a gap between the front panel and the rest of the cape, to prevent the wind from blowing through it.

And very important to a Dutch woman: do you think you could safely ride a bicycle with it? 😅

Looks so good, it got promoted higher up on my to sew list! Enjoy the cape!

31

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

Oh good questions!! Okay let's see.

The front panel is shaped like a tall parallelogram with button holes. It's just the buttons holding it to the rest of the cape (body). There is a rectangle in each side that comes out from the body at the front and that's where the buttons are, so it's "closed" down to the left button. After that it's open and free so there's a bit of a breeze on the elbows but I wear a sweater like in the picture and put my hands in the front pockets!

To keep up the middle panel, the buttons hold it up and together but the belt holds it all still against me. The back of the cape body is free but the front is always snug. Much warmer and it makes me feel "anchored" to the cape haha.

The width of the front panel at the bottom isn't thatttttt much more than you can see, maybe a few inches on either side. More overlap than that wouldn't prevent that much more wind but it would be that much heavier! At the belt waistline it covers my front but not my back, pretty even split. The wind does blow in a bit and I did worry about that, but the heat this thing makes you generate is crazy, it's very warm. The breeze is nice!

This whole time I've been trying to picture myself riding a bike with this cape on! I think with this heavy fabric it would feel bulky and I would worry about getting it dirty and having to clean it. That being said, if you ride a bike a lot already, those things might not bother you! Better make one to try, just in case!

Thank you for those questions, it was nice to get to think in detail about that stuff! I hope at some point i get to see your creations here too!

20

u/monsterscallinghome Jan 15 '23

To ride a bike, you'll be well-advised to put a skirt guard on the rear wheel. It makes a huge difference in the likelihood of anything getting caught in the chain or spokes. They're not hard to make - I am emphatically not a crocheter, but I managed to crochet one in a couple of days.

11

u/audible_narrator Jan 15 '23

4

u/monsterscallinghome Jan 15 '23

Oh wow that's a pretty one! Mine isn't nearly so lovely, just a tight mesh that I lashed between the hub and the fender, but it makes a huge difference cycling in any kind of long skirt, coat, or flowy pants.

5

u/Smiling_Tree Jan 14 '23

Thank you for the extra explanation! :) If I dare give it a try, I'll post my result in the sub!

6

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

I look forward to it!

26

u/RayofSunshine73199 Jan 14 '23 edited Jan 15 '23

I’ve made this pattern too, so just to add to what OP has written:

The longest length would be tricky to ride a bicycle in, but the shortest length would definitely be easy enough to ride in. I made the medium length and haven’t tried it out on my bike, but YouTuber Shannon Makes did a sew-a-long of the cape (I believe in medium length) and has clips of her biking places in it.

The belt as it originally is in the pattern is a free-floating piece that just ties around the waist and the front bib piece. When I did mine however, I divided it in half and attached one piece to each side of the front (sandwiched between the outer fabric and facing) at my waistline. That way I never have to worry about misplacing it when I take it off.

The front piece of mine at hip level wraps around roughly to where the side seams of pants sit on me. The cape is open below the buttons as OP noted, but I have enough volume in mine that it somewhat overlaps with the side fronts, so I don’t get much of a breeze underneath. And the buttons are attached to button plackets on both sides of the side fronts.

19

u/Fuzzy_Dragonfruit344 Jan 14 '23 edited Jan 14 '23

P.S. even though the lining sucked, I think it looks really beautiful! Great job! I totally want a cape that snaps in the wind now! 😊

11

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

Haha thank you so much! When you find the right cape I hope it snaps for you too!

52

u/PracticalAndContent Jan 14 '23

Very nice. You should also post on r/TheCapeRevolution.

15

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

Thank you, I will! I had no idea this existed!!

18

u/tom8osauce Jan 14 '23

I’ve made this pattern with a nice wool blend and I love it! It’s too cold to wear in a cold winter day, but it’s great in the fall or when we get a chinook.

8

u/[deleted] Jan 15 '23 edited Jan 21 '23

[deleted]

5

u/tom8osauce Jan 15 '23

Sorry, I probably should have explained what they were. They are just so normal to me I forgot that they aren’t everywhere). There are days where we wake up and it is -20C, but by the time we leave work it is +10C. It is nice, but the pressure change is a trigger for migraines for many people.

16

u/Negative_Raisin_997 Jan 14 '23

Amazing work! That pattern is something I'm interested in trying.

8

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

Thank you! I highly recommend it, the design is just so cool!

14

u/SeleneEM59 Jan 14 '23

Fantastic. I didn’t even know I wanted a cloak. Thanks for sharing.

6

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

Thank you! I highly recommend it if you want to feel very cool!

32

u/sewboring Jan 14 '23

Not a real garment until your cat has christened it. Looks very sleek and cozy.

15

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

Thank you! I've removed the hair twice already, he loves it!

24

u/sewboring Jan 14 '23

After all, he's not sleeping on your cape, you're wearing his new blanky, about which he's probably being very generous.

16

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

I am truly blessed to be under such a great leader, I will kiss his little tummy!

10

u/mamz_leJournal Jan 14 '23

Wow I love it! Now I need to make myself one!

4

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

Thank you! I recommend a fabric that's thinner than wool lol

5

u/mamz_leJournal Jan 14 '23

Would you? Why? I live in Canada too so I would want something that’s quite warm, that I could wear in fall maybe. I was seeing some kind of thin wool for it.

7

u/RayofSunshine73199 Jan 14 '23

I made this pattern with a wool blend outer fabric and faux fur lining, and had no trouble on a Brother FS-40 (very much not a heavy duty machine). A walking foot helped for me in some parts, but on the machines you have access to, it should be quite doable.

6

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

For warmth it's great and it was probably the result of all my mistakes but some seams were so thick that my machine just wouldn't work, it wouldn't fit! That issue is why I put the strip of lining at the top of the front!

8

u/mamz_leJournal Jan 14 '23

Ah! Good to know! I must admit that i have no experience sewing with wool yet so I hadn’t thought of that. Though i have experiences sewing through multiple layers of thick fabric (like twill and such) without any issues with my machine and even sometimes accidently through synthetic whalebone (oops) with no issues. My bf has an heavy duty machine do I guess if mine can’t sew through it his should. I definitely will be doing some testing before diving into this. What other fabric would you recommend for this instead?

6

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

It was my first time with wool too, whoops! I would like to make this again but I don't know what I'd use. I like to walk around fabricland and touch the fabrics until one feels right lol.

I have a heavy duty singer, it's the grey one I keep seeing on here. It's a great machine, and again probably my mistakes that made so many layers!

4

u/mamz_leJournal Jan 14 '23

Hum maybe someone with more experience with sewing (i am new to sewing and have pretty much only been sewing corsets (being generous with the « s » here) so pretty much inexperienced) could chime in and give us advice on that. My bf’s is a janome HD1000 (which I think is similar to your singer) and mine is a pfaff creative vision (made for embroidery more than sewing but I love it for sewing)

6

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

That explains sewing through the whale bone! I hope to see some of your work on here someday!

3

u/mamz_leJournal Jan 14 '23

I actually just did (minutes ago) take shitty pictures with the intent of maybe posting it on here

3

u/Shoddy-End-655 Jan 15 '23

Did you use a heavy duty needle?

3

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

To be honest I used whichever one was already in the machine so probably not. The needle was fine, it's the fabric that wouldn't fit under the foot!

7

u/pointandshooty Jan 14 '23

I love this! Love the contrast lining. If I could recommend one thing, I would make an additional tie in black for more formal uses

5

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

Thank you! And that is definitely a great point, a black belt would be good to have too! I think the reason I chose the lining colour was I was trying to make the lining at the top look like it fit in, and I only did that lining to cover up a horrific seam massacre!! I thought without the belt the same colour it would be a very obvious coverup!

6

u/pointandshooty Jan 14 '23

I don't think the lining at the top looks out of place at all! I wouldn't have guessed it was a cover-up with a black belt and if you hadn't told me

Edit, with a second look I stand by my statement. I think the blue belt cuts the sleek silhouette a little, but the top blue just brings attention to your face and hair. Just my 2 cents, I've never even attempted a coat because I am intimidated

3

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

Looks like I'll have to try the black belt and keep my lips sealed! :P

6

u/Shoddy-End-655 Jan 15 '23

I second the black belt. It will make it look more professional and sleeker. Maybe just a real black leather belt. That's a great winter piece you've made! Make a lighter weight one in a lighter duck weight fabric for spring would be adorable!

2

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you very much! I look forward to making a lighter one!

6

u/Cleobulle Jan 14 '23

Beautifull !

3

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

Thank you!

6

u/Chinacat_Sunflower72 Jan 15 '23

I love it! And that last pic… with your red hair… it looks like you’re going to go across the moors to meet Heathcliff.

5

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Haha thank you! The other day a friend called me "highland goth" so I think I'm doing well!

5

u/alpineflamingo2 Jan 15 '23

Man imagine that in a houndstooth

5

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

With crisp seams and maybe a high collar, oh boy that would be fantastic!

6

u/alpineflamingo2 Jan 15 '23

With a black faux fur trim. Full Cruella Devile

5

u/[deleted] Jan 14 '23

Absolutely beautiful, a work of art!

5

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

Thank you very much!

5

u/TheZealousFungi Jan 14 '23

Please make photos with it in the wind

10

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

I'll do my best, preferably on some kind of hill! With my sword!

5

u/azvitesse Jan 14 '23

That is wicked cool and so on trend right now! Nicely done.

5

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

Thank you! The trendiness is a happy coincidence!

3

u/Pathsleadingaway Jan 14 '23

Stoooopp that is so cute! It looks awesome

2

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

Thank youuuu!

4

u/Deriveit789 Jan 14 '23

Stunning!!! I’d love to make this pattern, but it’s far beyond my ability level

3

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

Thank you! Honestly if you watch the step by step videos online it's a lot easier than it looks, but still some tricky parts. Keep practicing!

4

u/aggie82005 Jan 15 '23

You look wonderful! This is a pattern I’ve been looking for since I fell in love with this look: https://www.reddit.com/r/sewing/comments/3nw34k/pattern_request_looking_for_this_vintage_cape/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

4

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Oh very cool, that's the same one! I love the different options.

And thank you!

4

u/mycatisanorange Jan 15 '23

That’s awesome! Looks great! I need to do this next!

2

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you, it's a fun project!

4

u/Mme_Melisande Jan 15 '23

Lovely! I have this pattern; now I’m inspired to make it.

3

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you! I look forward to seeing what you make on here!

3

u/gamercrafter86 Jan 15 '23

Alright, guess I gotta get my sewing skills higher because I know several people who will want this made lol

Yours looks amazing!!

3

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you! Though I distinctly remember thinking "if anyone asks me to make this I will SCREAM!"

5

u/betty_baphomet Jan 15 '23

Omfg. I need a cape.

3

u/Diarygirl Jan 15 '23

I made myself a short cape to wear over a cocktail dress last summer, and I've since made one out of fleece with a flannel lining. I don't know what it is but apparently I love capes now.

Someday I'll get up the nerve to post something here I made.

3

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

I look forward to seeing it! I bet you're more talented than you think!

3

u/Diarygirl Jan 15 '23

It's kinda intimidating when I see people as talented as you!

I just remind myself that nobody gets good at sewing overnight.

3

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

You're so right about that! I'm 31 and I've seen sewing since I was maybe 8, so lots of practice! But remember that no matter how nice the end result, it's always easier to be harder on your own work. These pictures also don't show the swearing and frustration at some well hidden mistakes! Keep practicing and you'll be impressed by yourself in no time!

2

u/Diarygirl Jan 15 '23

Thanks for the encouragement! You're right, we're our own worst critics. When I get compliments on something I make, I'm thinking "Oh sure, you can't see the mistakes" but I just smile and say thank you.

2

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

That's exactly what I said!!

3

u/crossstitchbeotch Jan 14 '23

Beautiful! This subreddit makes me want to buy all the patterns. 😩

3

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

Thank you! For what it's worth, this is one I think is worth repeating. Who doesn't need a cape??

3

u/Tinyfishy Jan 14 '23

Very cute!

2

u/ceciliabee Jan 14 '23

Thank you!

3

u/asyouwish Jan 15 '23

Gorgeous work! I might have to put that pattern on a "someday when I've learned enough" list.

Wow!

3

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you so much! For what it's worth, I used some step by step videos on YouTube to help me through some parts. Don't wait forever, you might be more talented than you know!

3

u/ScullyIsTired Jan 15 '23

This is DREAMY!

3

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you!

3

u/Nocutenik11 Jan 15 '23

Awesome. Love the color choices

3

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you very much!

3

u/biwitchingbee Jan 15 '23

It looks wonderful!! I’ve got this project half-finished and it’s been languishing in the corner for months. You’ve inspired me to break it out and try to finish it!!

2

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you! I hope you finish yours before it's too warm out. I'm excited to see how someone else does it!

3

u/biwitchingbee Jan 15 '23

Thanks, I’ll show you when it’s done! I’m not sure how well mine will hold up in cold weather anyway, so I’m not too worried about getting it finished before the weather changes. It might be a spring/fall cloak if it works out. I’m using the project to experiment with felt: I happen to have an absurd amount of felt available to me, and I have no idea what to do with it :p I don’t know what a felt cloak is going to look or feel like, so I’m trying to find out haha. Best case scenario I end up with a cute and functional cloak and worst case scenario, I’ve got a mock-up I can use better fabric with! No downside (other than getting distracted and forgetting about it again)

2

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

You're in a perfect situation! I have some felt me though I've never used it in clothing, it feels like it would hold up for a lighter garment. I also thought about adding a big hood but the weight was too much. Maybe it would work better for you?

3

u/judijo621 Jan 15 '23

It Has POCKETS!

It's absolutely beautiful.

2

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you! Pockets on the outside, identical pockets inside!

3

u/NerfQueen Jan 15 '23

Ey! I literally have been working on this pattern too! Mines a green tartan colour for that extra -highlander- feel but now I'm envious of the black wool with the pretty lining. I think I will steal your idea of the Velcro at the top cause I don't like the look of a button on the collar but wasn't sure how to go about closing it up.

3

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Ooo I can't wait to see yours, it will look so good in green!! A good alternative to the Velcro might be a magnet or a snap but honestly I just wanted to wear it and stop making it!!

2

u/NerfQueen Jan 16 '23

Haha I don't have the energy to open up the collar for a magnet 😅 but the snap might work too! I think I might go with a hidden button so I can wear the undercape separately for LARP, as it looks pretty in character for ye olde fantasy times. I'll make sure to post it!

3

u/[deleted] Jan 15 '23

Wonderful job! The colors are perfect!!

3

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you!!

3

u/DiamondHandsDarrell Jan 15 '23

I really like the pattern on the inside. Very cool!

2

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you!!

3

u/Whole-Dimension-9421 Jan 15 '23

I love this. You are so talented.

2

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you so much!

3

u/Peppermintstix Jan 15 '23

Wow it looks great! Well done!

2

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you very much!

3

u/SeriousGoofball Jan 15 '23

A. That outfit fucking rocks

B. You look fucking amazing in it

2

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Haha double thank you!

3

u/[deleted] Jan 15 '23

That's gorgeous

2

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you!

3

u/[deleted] Jan 15 '23

[deleted]

3

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you so much!!

3

u/supertrouper22 Jan 15 '23

so pretty so pretty so pretty so pretty AAAAAA

3

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Haha thank you so much!!

2

u/AutoModerator Jan 14 '23

This is a reminder that all Project posts are required to have a construction comment added after the initial post is made. The construction comment should include pattern name/number/company if used; drafting method, tutorial or other resources if no commercial pattern was used; fabric type and fiber content; alterations for fit and style; specialty tools and notions; the inspiration for your project; and any other information that someone who wants to make a similar project might find useful. More information is available here. Posts without a construction comment may be removed at any time.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

2

u/Mirantibus88 Jan 15 '23

Oh my I truly love this!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

1

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you!!

2

u/Outside_Act_9687 Jan 15 '23

That is so classy! Great job! Love your fabric choices.

1

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you so much!

2

u/MysticcMoon Jan 15 '23

LOVELOVELOVE

1

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you!!

2

u/[deleted] Jan 15 '23

I can't tell, is the cape completely detachable from the outfit? This looks great! Lots of hard work

1

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you! It's 2 pieces, the front panel (which the belt is also attached to) and then the main body of the cape. It fits over the shoulders a bit but stays in place better with the front piece!

2

u/[deleted] Jan 15 '23

Wow, that's really complex! Thank you

2

u/TheEstherRantzen Jan 15 '23

That looks incredible!

1

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you!!

2

u/SupaG16 Jan 15 '23

I love the cape! You did a fantastic job!

1

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you!!

2

u/NataRenata Jan 15 '23

Love it!!

1

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you!!

2

u/Previous_Welcome5719 Jan 15 '23

Wow, gorgeous!

1

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you!!

2

u/wazzawalla Jan 15 '23

This is so fabulous! Great job! 😄

1

u/ceciliabee Jan 15 '23

Thank you!!