I made a cape! The Nell Cape

I've wanted a cape for like forever and I finally got this one completed!  I just love this pattern.

The pattern is described like this: The versatile cape has become a wardrobe staple.  Easy to wear over your jeans or a more tailored look for the office.  Great for cooler days the Nell cape is a must have.  Unlined with bound edges and seams gives this cape room for your creativity.  Whey not use a contrast or printed bind for an individual look?  If your prefer not to bind your cape you can use a lining and then turn it out.  

 

Just a note, this is a challenging sew for an experienced sewer.

I used a medium weight wool coating that was in my stash.  The floral lining is from Joann's and is a stretch chiffon.  It feels really nice against my skin.  

The binding is a Kona cotton.  I much prefer to make my own binding as it is such better quality and I can get an exact match to my main fabric.

I included the facings with this even though I choose to bind the edges.

For this cape to work, it needs to fit you at the shoulders and upper bodice.  The rest just sort of floats about your body.

See how pretty that chiffon looks as a lining?  I treated the lining and main fabric as one piece as I sewed this together.

All those bound edges were sewn by hand on the inside that is after I stitched them on by machine.  I love how polished it looks.  

If you want to wear this with bulky clothing underneath, I suggest you measure the armhole opening.  I am wearing a thermal long sleeved top and I have plenty of movement and room left over.  However, had I worn a heavy turtleneck, it may be a touch tight there.  

The most difficult part of this pattern is figuring out how to sandwich the sleeves between the front and back and also how to deal with what I call is the under-sleeve.  Don't over think it.  Follow the diagram and if you find the directions confusing, don't read them.    

Isn't that inverted pleat cute?  

I really love how this turned out.  

I added one hook and eye made for coats at the throat.  It doesn't shift around at all when I move.  

I love my finished cape!  

Here's a peek at the insides.

Here's a view of the falls in Sioux Falls.  I wish the photo captured how really pretty this place is, especially in the winter!  It was such a beautiful and unseasonably warm day we had to visit!

Thanks for reading!
Sue

Woodland Stroll Cape--another Indy!

I am on a roll with Indy patterns!  This one from Liesl and Co has been on my radar for a while  now and I finally dove in to create it!  It really is a simple make and I really, really like my finished garment.

 

I ordered this as a PDF and it didn't have too many pieces--yippee!  There are a lot of pages of directions and helpful illustrations to assist you along the way.

I made a size medium and the sizing is from XS to XL.  This pattern isn't a fabric hog, in only needing 1.5 yards of the main and lining fabric.

It does need a fabric with some body such as wool coating, wool melton, velvet, moleskin or corduroy.

I used a pale yellow wool suiting that wasn't heavy enough so I remedied that by using two layers of the wool and quilting the sandwiched layer to the lining which is silk.  This process added about an hour to the total project.  Not too bad!  Both fabrics have been in my stash for a while and I purchased them at Fabric Mart.

This is such an easy fitting garment and unless you are uber busty, I would recommend using your hip measurements to find your right size.

I made zero alterations to this cape.

I decided to try and find the little buckles just like the photo of the pattern uses and was successful!  I found the ones I used, from Dritz, at JoAnns.

An easy project that yields fun results!  I really like this cape and plan on wearing it a lot!

Thanks for reading!  And I hope you all have a Happy New Year!
Sue