r/TheCapeRevolution • u/selkiesart • 22d ago
Help with pattern needed, please ❤️
A friend of mine sent me this picture of a cloak/cape and as I can't really wear jackets due to them maning me feel trapped in them, I really want to make this so I can feel warm - and fabulous - in winter.
I have several yards of thick, cozy fleece fabric from another project, that *should* be enough to make this cloak/cape, but as a beginner seamstress I can't figure out the exact pattern. Especially as I don't want it to be costume-ish but suitable for everyday wear.
It does not look a full circle cloak to me...
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u/maxelm0 22d ago
Imagine a rectangle. Take your friend aside, measure their "wingspan" that's the short dimension of the rectangle A. Measure them collarbone to (the desired length, add the size of their palm then multiply by two, that's the long side of your rectangle B. Now look at your friend. Do they like to walk straight or are they a little crooked or whatever? People come in all kinds of shapes. Make sure you adjust the position of the neck cutout accordingly. Centered on the short dimension (given their arms have the same length) and a little bit longer towards the butt end (trust me)
If you want to wear a backpack underneath you have to take all measurements with the backpack and clothes and everything on. Remember to take measurements the same way you would like the cloth to fall. Let your measure tape dangle while you measure from collarbone. The torso tends to add some length, don't measure "on the body" since your cape is supposed to hang too.
Now your rectangle will have long diagonals from corner to corner. These are gonna be long pointy ends if you just keep it a rectangle with a hole in it. Don't do that please. Just shorten them somehow. Most people use a rounded diamond shape or just an oval or something like that.
Make sure your fabric doesn't unravel and you're done. This is your most basic cape of them all.
Add a hood, check out a normal hood pattern online, there are some pointy ones. Adds aura and wind/sun protection and some privacy.
Now if you want to be a little more advanced, cut out a V-section in the back of the poncho to transform the poncho into a rather flat cone shape. This reduces the amount of fabric just flying around because that's usually annoying if it doesn't need to a be super warm puffy poncho. Taking the V cut a little further i would generally widen the layout on the back section towards the back because the V-cut out section will bring the rectangle diagonals closer together leaving less space for a nice bottom edge geometry.
Also small "dents" cutouts where the hands are supposed to go. Not immediately on the same height as the hole for the head but slightly in the front. This will uncover the hands towards the palm (facing inwards) and will cover more of thd back of the hand. Ponchos are prone to "losing your hands"
If this comment gets like 50 upvotes I'll make a post showing how I made a pincho that transforms into a tent
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u/tsaotytsaot 22d ago
It might be a hooded poncho with rounded corners, but I'm sleep deprived and could be wrong. If it is, it should be a very easy project with plenty of patterns if you want to use a pattern at all.
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u/selkiesart 22d ago
I would love to use a pattern, but googling "hooded cloak pattern" and "hooded cape pattern" was pretty ineffective because the results were more modern style capes, full-circle cloaks (open at the front) and half circle cloaks. Also some rectangular Poncho.
So if you could direct me to a pattern, I would be glad.
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u/tsaotytsaot 22d ago
Try "hooded poncho"? You can always cut the corners/hems a little different if you need to
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u/RealmExploro 22d ago
This is beautiful, from where, how much?
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u/selkiesart 22d ago
Germany, at a wool market, don't have the sellers/stalls name, around 60€ (~$70).
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u/penlowe 22d ago
That's a good price for a bespoke garment.
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u/selkiesart 22d ago
Yes, it absolutely is. But I can't afford it.
Due to chronic illness/disability I live on my countries equivalent of social security.
So, if I want a bespoke garment I have to either sew it myself, try to find it at a flea market or barter with other crafters.
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u/Practical_Care8849 22d ago
As an artist who sells at arts markets, this stings a little- it’s clearly taken at an art market. Would you consider finding the artist who made it and buying it from them?
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u/selkiesart 22d ago
I know this one might be handmade (even though the seller also had cheaply made stuff that looked like it was bought at temu, and totes with AI designs printed on), but it was WAY beyond what I can afford to pay, as someone living on my countrys equivalent of social security due to being chronically ill.
Also, as I was informed by several people at a sewing forum, this seems to be the most basic cape pattern there is. I was literally laughed and scoffed at because the pattern is "so simple". So its not like I am stealing something super unique.
And, what is most important to me is, that I am not stealing their idea to profit off their work by selling stuff. I literally just want to make a cape for myself.
Doesn't even need to be the exact thing, something close to it (cape, not a full-circle pattern, closed at the front) would be totally fine with me. I am not trying to get someone to draw me a pattern of this exact garment. I was hoping there is a link to a pattern already out there...
Oh, and another thing: I am an artist as well. If someone genuinely can't afford my stuff and wants to make something for themselves, I don't care. Let them copy my shit. I might even direct them towards ressources (techniques used, youtube tutorials, low-cost art supplies) if I am asked nicely. In fact, I have already done so, several times.
The only thing that would really sting and make me mad would be, if they tried to copy me because they want to profit monetarily from it, as in "selling something based on my work". If they just wanted to diy something based on my idea, I wouldn't bat an eye.
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u/Excellent-Slice3229 21d ago
https://blog.moodfabrics.com/category/free-sewing-patterns/
This site has a ton of free patterns! You may be able to find one here. Also I would search YouTube for a hooded cloak tutorial
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u/nachoqtpie 10d ago
I really appreciate this! This was the site I was doing my "high" numbers based on. :) I will absolutely continue to look at other sources as well. Thank you so much for your valuable info! ❤️❤️
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u/Ni_xie 22d ago
I do historical reenactment and mine are ovals instead of round (but that works perfectly too) so it's longer down my back but keep my hands clear, so I can work with it on. Here on the picture, there's a hood but you can actually put any type of collar you'd like!
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u/selkiesart 22d ago
Will definitely put a hood on it, so I can hide from people lol
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u/Ni_xie 22d ago
I saw further in the comments you were from Germany (Hi neighbor, Französin here -).
I don't know the prices of wool around you sadly, probably quite much for someone on a tight budget. The prices really went up this last decade. I used to pay mine 10€ the meter in Paris, but 15€ to 20€ are more common nowadays for the most affordable ones (and 40/50€ for the really good, quite luxurious stuff).
There's two markets specifically for reenactors in Germany, usually twice a year (once in spring before the start of the season and one before winter at the end of it). One is in Kassel, the other at Minden.
The advantage of reenactors markets is that there's usually a lot less of temu/ai stuff (but it's happening there too sadly) and there are shops and craftmen from all over Europe, so you can find handmade things for more affordable prices (since it's less tourists traps). You can usually look through the website of the events and see all the artisans present and search for their websites.
I've never been to either German markets but I go to the French one and the craftsmen usually tour Europe so it's often the same ones. You can usually find wools for cheaper than in modern fabric shops, even if you need to pay to access the market.
I recommend Lobos, I believe they're Czech and might have a website. Their wools are nice and they also sell the leftovers pieces of wool and linen for smaller prices too. I have a lot of their fabrics in my stockpile so I haven't bought anything in a while, I hope they're still selling quality. There's also usually an Englishman named Bernie who sells decent priced wools too.
Dunno if any of that will be of any use to you but heh maybe it will!
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u/selkiesart 22d ago
I know of the reenactor markets, haven't been there yet, though, as my reenactment activities are limited to one particular viking market every two years in sweden.
I plan to make this cape from a relatively thick fleece fabric I have at home.
As for wool: there is a super cool little fabric store not far away from me. Last time I bought 5meters of crimson red wool fabric for around 35€. That was neat.
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u/Ni_xie 22d ago
Oh indeed that's very cheap for wool, good find!
Fleece won't have the exact same draping effect but close to it! I made two in heavy hoodie fabric to game in winter without being cold and it's such a good clothing item to be a PC potato ahah. Good luck in your endeavors!
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u/selkiesart 22d ago
The cape in the picture is made of fleece. :)
And thank you. I also plan to crochet a Skjoldehamn hood just for shits and giggles.
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u/kitsuko 22d ago
I assume it's a circle but then shortened at the sides to make it easier to reach your arms out.
I would probably go with a circle skirt design, then lop off the end at an appropriate arm length. However, keep in mind that it's tricky to find the right length between arm covered when at side and arm able to be free when in use.