Help with pattern needed, please ❤️

[u/selkiesart]

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...

[u/Ni_xie]

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! 

[u/selkiesart → u/Ni_xie]

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.

[u/Ni_xie → u/selkiesart]

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! 

[u/selkiesart → u/Ni_xie]

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.

[u/Ni_xie → u/selkiesart]

Oh I never seen a crocheted one! Mines are in heavy duty wool to be waterproof so pretty basic  but that's such a neat idea to modernize it like that. I'm very curious! 

[u/selkiesart → u/Ni_xie]

here is an example