Rain Cape - The Finished Project

Pattern: BurdaStyle's Cape 10/2011 #101A
Fabric: Waterproof windbreaker material, reflective piping
Cost: $30



Well, it's been raining around here again, but that just gives me an excuse to show off my rain cape! If you remember, last time it rained around these parts I drew up plans for making my own custom rain gear - something that would work well for my bike commute. Well, the next day I stayed up way past my bedtime and rushed to finish my very own rain poncho in time for the last day of showers. 

Based off of some ingenious designs from Cleverhood and Iva Jean, the cape is designed to be held over my handlebars as I ride, protecting my lap and knees from the rain. It's complete with a big ol' hood to go over my helmet, reflective piping for visibility, and armhole slits in the front for extra mobility options when I'm not riding (like when I'm carrying my bike down the steps to the train). Yes I look silly, but it is exactly what I needed for my rainy commutes.


Believe it or not, after collecting my ideas for this project I actually made a muslin out of an old sheet. Making performance sportswear - which is essentially what this is - scared me because I knew that function would be absolutely key. Here I am in my bike helmet, indoors, testing out hood sizes and fit:


For the most part, BurdaStyle's Cape 10/2011 #101A as-is worked just fine. I cut the absolute biggest size to give myself room for movement, shortened it to the right length, and changed the front opening to just a half placket so it would fit over my head (and helmet!) but not open in the front. I also lengthened and widened the hood to fit my helmet, and added a small interfaced visor to keep the water off my face. Because I wasn't worried about this thing being water-tight, I just sewed the seams the usual way, and serged the raw edges - no fancy seam tape or waterproofing. My favorite part is the bit of extra Betsy Johnson lightening bolt fabric I had leftover from a previous project, which I used to line the hood.


This project was definitely a rushed order, and reminded me of the days when I first started sewing and would stay up half the night to finish a project. The seams aren't perfect, there's a bit of a raw edge peaking out from under the visor, and I put the snap on the wrong way. But you know what? It's actually pretty functional. The light-weight design doesn't leave me too warm when I pedal my bike, and my legs are a lot dryer when I get to my final destination. Mr. K has even expressed an interest in one, although I hope I can get away with putting his off to the next rainy season...

Here's a final goofy shot. Pedestrians were definitely staring!



Goofy? Yes. Hastily made? Definitely. But functional enough for the occasional rain shower? You bet! I won't be moving to Seattle any time soon, but when the weather strikes, I finally feel prepared. 

12 comments:

  1. Very cool! I aspire to sew more practical items, as opposed to things that are just cute :)

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  2. I had a very similar cape in high school, and abandoned it in favour of waterproof trousers and a jacket (that sounds exactly as silly-looking as it was). These would be terribly impractical now since I rarely ever wear anyhting but skirts and dresses, so suddenly a cape seems like an option again!

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  3. Adorable and so functional! And I think it's great you brave the rain on your bike - my bike stays at home on wet days!

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    1. I have a good incentive - it's still a 45 min commute when I bike to the train, but can take up to 2 hrs if I drive in rainy traffic!

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  4. You are so inventive! And what a hardy soul you are, biking in the rain.

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  5. I just love that you did this awesome piece of active wear, that you will really put into good use! Also totally in love with the besty jhonson fabric! I am moving up to SF in a few weeks, I should probably consider making myself some rain gear!

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    1. Welcome to the Bay! Honestly it's been so dry you hardly need it, but always good to be prepared :)

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  6. Well done! It's cute & functional. How much rain stays off your face would you say? It's something I've been contemplating for my walking gear. Usually when it rains in the South Puget Sound, it goes every which way. I have a jacket from REI with a bill on the hood like yours and it does ok. But my glasses always get rained on. Your thoughts on the "rain on face" challenge?

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    1. I would say rain on the face hasn't been as much of a problem for me - the visor is definitely better than when I didn't have one before. When I'm out for a run in the rain though, my favorite protective gear of choice is just a baseball cap - you're still getting wet, but the water stays off your face.

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  7. I love it! Sewing is so fabulous at moments like these, you can't just go buy something like that!

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