winter wonderland tour
November 13th, 2013
The women who make up the amazing pattern making team at Pattern Anthology asked me to remix one of their winter patterns. There are so many good ones to choose from: hats and coats, hoodies and party dresses, but it was the cape that caught my eye. The Juliet Capelet is a frilly affair, perfect for cozy holiday parties or cool summer evenings.
I wanted to go in a different direction. I wanted to make a cape that carhartt would make. I wanted to make a utili-cape!
With visions of lumberjacks (wearing capes) dancing in my head, I walked into my local fabric store for supplies. I came out with khaki twill, deliciously soft faux fur, and metal buttons. Then I headed home to turn a pretty cape pattern into a tomboy’s dream.
I subtracted and added a bunch of thing to the original pattern. First I took out some of the fullness of the cape. Then I lengthened it quite a bit. After sewing up a quick muslin, I thought the cape needed to be even longer so I added more to the front and the back. I ended up with a grand piano-like pattern.
I decided to skip the hood and instead I added a collar. The collar can fold over or stand up to ward off the cold. The original pattern does have buttons, but I added a button placket as well. The metal buttons–the kind you have on your jeans–could not have been more perfect. They have a large shank and yeehaw! you do not have to sew them on! The button comes in 2 parts: a nail-like bit that you poke through the back of the fabric and the button proper that pops on top of the nail.
The buttons were so much fun to put on, that I kept finding more places to put them. I added a button to either side of the cape to create a sleeve.
Pockets were next, because what is a utili-cape without pockets? And then I slapped some buttons on those too! I drafted a double pocket–one that could keep her hands warm, but also keep her treasures safe. I love how these pockets turned out so much that I’ve got a tutorial in the works for them.
You will not see a tutorial, however, on how to sew with faux fur, because wow! I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. There was fur all over my studio floor, in my ears, up my nose, and miraculously on the cape as well.
I’m happy I wrestled with the faux fur–and won!–because the fur really makes the cape. It’s soft and cozy and oh so warm. All in all, I had a fabulous time playing around with the Juliet Capelet pattern.
This cape pattern could become so many different things. I am smitten with Alida’s version. Be sure to check out all of the amazing garments that have been made so far on the winter wonderland tour.
The bundle will be on sale until November 18. You can purchase all the patterns or the boy and girl patterns separately. Happy Sewing!
*I was given a copy of the pattern for this post, but my opinions, as always, are my own.
Gorgeous Meg, just gorgeous!!!
It’s really cool! I love the fur inside:) well done!
I love this SO much!! So cool. The fur is amazing.
Amazing! I LOVE these pockets. I’m realling looking foward to your tutorial!
The pocket tutorial is going to be great – and I love the snaps that create sleeves. Thanks for being on the tour!
I did actually want to use snaps for the sleeves–and for the whole piece really. I was worried that they would get caught in the fur so I used jean buttons instead.
Absolutely perfect. Love love love it! Now I can really relate to that cape ;-)
Your cape looks so cozy! I made a Sherlock Holmes Halloween costume cape from the Little Red Riding Hood cape in Little Things to Sew, and I was thinking about making another one lined with fleece or something similar to make it warmer. I also like your added length.
THIS IS SO AWESOME!!! She looks so cool in it!! And warm!
I WANT that cape! For myself seriously. I love the double pockets, the fur, the buttons, the whole thing is perfectly masculine and feminine at the same time, that is one lucky kid for sure!
If I wasn’t so traumatized by sewing that fur, I would make one for myself. Maybe after some time has passed I’ll forget how frustrating it was…because I really want one too!
I love the shape of your Juliet! The idea to add a button to make sleeves is nice.
Wow! Wow! Wow! 1) I want a pattern for a women’s version 2) When is someone going to snatch you up as a clothing designer????
Karin, you always know how to make my day :)
Oh man now I am going to have visions of lumberjacks dancing in my head!!! I love it and am pretty sure my girls will love this version too!!! Thanks for the amazing remix.
FREAKIN GENIUS. i loooooove how you went carhartt style with the cape, love the fur lining (SO COZY), love the more minimalist look but it’s still so cute and cozy for her. those pockets are amazing and yes, i need a tutorial for them!
meg, you’re awesome.
Oh, Meg!!! Love this, perfect for my neck of the woods, for sure! I agree, the fur takes it to a completely new level. I think I should make this in a fur/buffalo plaid combo. Of course, that isn’t pink OR glittery and my daughter may very well cry if I try to make her wear it ;)
I love it!!!!!
Amazing! Perfect cape for Minnesota weather.
Well done, Meg! It’s very much like this adult utility caplet I tried on a month or so ago and can’t get out of my mind.
what?! that’s amazing! and it’s also $500 :/
AH-MAZING!! I love your version and want it in my size!! Just love it!!
wow – this is amazingly cool! Those pockets are so awesome – I love them!! And kudos for winning against the faux fur:)
Yeah this is definitely a flip and a successful one at that. I am digging the extra length and give you lotsa props for adding fur to the inside! Looks great!
Mae
Meg. This is genius. What else can we Carhartt-ify??!!!!
two words: prom. dress.
Oh my god! I thought you were all kinds of awesome before this, but it is pure genius! Double pockets, the metal buttons, the fur…I freakin’ love it all!
ooohhhh it’s lined in faux fur! So chic! Love it!
I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow! Wonderful! Love it! It looks so warm and comfy!