Winter Cape

Pattern: McCall's Easy Stitch 'n Save Misses' Capeletes and Belt #M5913 (see also #M5764)
Fabric: embroidered wool for cape ($14/yd) and flannel for lining ($5/yd)
Cost: $50


Winter in California is a unique season. While even at night it rarely gets below freezing, unlike our cold-weather friends in the northeast it is most likely to be the same temperature inside as it is outside. With single-paned windows and heaters that work sporadically if installed at all, we suffer a very certain type of cold. Sure, it's only 50 degrees, but that's inside my office.

So while I will not be sewing any bulky winter coats, I was looking to making something that was warm, light and stylish--perfect for brisk mornings and typing at my computer. Made of embroidered wool with a flannel lining, it is warm and cozy enough that I am tempted to just curl up inside it until Spring. That said, the floral embroidery could cary this piece into summer, where temperatures are also about 50 degrees.

The cape is made from an out-of-print McCall's pattern, which is still available on their website. They also sell an updated version, which has a second collar option. The instructions for both, however are for unlined capes, which misses all of the possibilities of a beautiful contrast lining, not to mention replacing scratchy wool with a soft flannel for added warmth. Like Pam in Virginia, I decided to line mine and provide you with all the written instructions.


Cut the following:
Back from wool and lining
Front from wool and lining
Facing, as directed, from wool
Collar, one piece each from wool and lining
Belt from wool
Belt loop from wool

Step 1: Facing 
With right sides facing up, place the facing on top of the lining at the front center (the side of the facing with the interfacing should be facing down).

Pin, folding the edge of the lining under 5/8" on the edge oppposite the center opening. Top stitch around the folded edge. Baste around the raw edges.

Step 2: Sew seams
Sew lining together at sides. Seperately, sew the cape together at sides. (Remeber the darts!)

Step 3: Belt loop
Sew the back belt loop to the cape.

Step 4: Line
With right sides together, pin cape to lining along the bottom and front openings. Sew. Trim or serge edge.
Turn garment right side out.

Step 5: Finish seams together
Reach in through the top opening and grab a set of corresponding side seams (one seam each from the lining and cape). Pulling them through the opening, pin them one on top of the other. Make sure that everything matches up and will lay flat when you turn right side out. Sew the seams together.  Repeat for remaining side seams. Trim or serge edges.

Step 6: Edge stitch
Still right side out, edge stitch along the front openings and bottom of garment.

Step 7: Neck
Baste raw edges together at neck. Trim or serge edge.
Step 8: Collar
Right sides together, sew collar to collar lining along the top and the sides, leaving the bottom open.Turn right side out. Edge stitch along stitched edges, leaving about 1/2" open at the ends. Trim or serge edge.

Step 9: Attach collar
Right sides together, pin neck opening to collar only, leaving collar lining free. Sew at 3/8" seam allowance.

Step 10: Sew lining
Fold raw edge of collar lining under 3/8". Pin to cape lining so that it covers the last stitch line, folding the raw edge 5/8" under. Turn to right side and "stitch in the ditch" along the seam connecting the collar to the cape.

Step 11: Buttons
Using pattern guide for buttonholes, mark buttonhole location on right side of opening and buttons on left side. Make buttonholes and sew on buttons.

Step 12: Belt opening
Mark belt holes in cape and sew them with a satin stitch so it looks like an oversized buttonhole. Make belt according to instructions--I edge stitched mine all the way around.





Check it out at BurdaStyle!

Read the review of this pattern at PatternReview.com.

14 comments:

  1. Very stylish! I'm usualy not a big fan of capes but this is very lovely!

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  2. Yeah it was fun to try something a little different!

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  3. Just purchased this pattern last week. Wonderful embellishment!

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  4. You picked a wonderful fabric for this cape. Looks great on you. Yes. we're cold in sunny FL and a cape would be perfect.

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  5. I absolutely love this cape! I have to ask you where you found that stunning embroidered wool? If you get a chance, email me at heathertyfeatherty at gmail dot com. My life will not be complete with it :)

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  6. Hi Heather! I got this fabric at a local fabric store: Stonemountain and Daughter in Berkeley, CA (http://www.stonemountainfabric.com/). Not sure if you can find it in Missouri, but if you're ever out here, that's where it is :)

    $14/yd, too--not bad!

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  7. I love this! I just bought some of this fabric from my local indie, but darn it, I paid way more for it than you did. I'm going to make a skirt out of mine. I love this coat!

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  8. I love this! I just dug this pattern out of my collection today. It's way too hot in Australia to really start thinking about winter but I'll be making this up for sure now! Gorgeous fabric too.

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  9. I just found your site through burdastyle. I saw someone else make a cape from this pattern and really liked it. After checking out your even lovlier version, I decided to buy it myself. Thanks for putting the link there. It made it even easier for me to decide to do it. I have some blue and white vintage wool fabric that I got recently and I wanted to make a small jacket with it. This would be perfect and the fact that you show how to do a lining is even better! I will let you know when I actually make it and put it on burdastyle. My burda name is rshelly13.
    Thanks for the inspiration!

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  10. Im so inspired to do this pattern .

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  11. It is so beautiful! I'm pretty sure I have this pattern somewhere in my stash, hm.

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  12. Fantastic - I have just ordered this pattern and wanted to line it too. It gets pretty cold her in England too. It seems to have turned autumnal in the last couple of days, so a cape will be a great option and I will use your tutorial for the lining and report back! Thank you very much. Lyn

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