winter wonderland tour

November 13th, 2013

utili-cape on elsie marley

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.

utili-cape on elsie marley

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!

utili-cape on elsie marley

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.

utili-cape pattern

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.

uliti-cape on elsie marley

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.

uliti-cape on elsie marley

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.

uliti-cape on elsie marley

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.

faux fur lining on the utili-cape

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.

utili-cape on elsie marley

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.

utili-cape on elsie marley

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.

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.

 

Posted in sewing clothes.

45 Responses to winter wonderland tour

  1. You’re so genius! This is so wonderful, who knew a utility-faux fur cape could be so versatile.

  2. cal says:

    [said in my whiniest voice:] BUT I want a Carhartt-esque utili-cape and i want a Carhartt-esque utili-cape NOW daddy!!!! [ok, back to regular voice:] so SO cute! well done!

    • meg says:

      This cape would be functional on the farm and stylish in the city. In other words, it’s got your name all over it, Cal.

  3. Alida says:

    I love it! And I love how we both went to a “what kind of cape would a tomboy love” place! Your pockets are darling, I’m kicking myself now for not adding pockets to mine. Thanks for the shout out! XO

  4. Anneliese says:

    This is so fantastic, Meg! I love love love it. The fur and the canvas… Great remix. The metal buttons! I could go on…

  5. I absolutely adore how your cape turned out! I think the nieces need one each for Christmas!

  6. Venus says:

    Amazing!!! Love-LOVE-love!

  7. Celina says:

    I think my Elsie needs this! I love everything about this. Just awesome!

  8. kate says:

    This is so awesome Meg! I love the pockets, the collar and the buttons! And the faux fur is amazing, I bet it is so cozy! Thanks so much for participating!!

  9. lindsay says:

    I want one for me. Seriously. This is just too cool.

  10. Brienne says:

    INTREPID!! This is beyond awesome. Way to go, you! It’s so worth it to make the pattern work for you but it is scary. I’m inspired!

  11. mrsrobinson says:

    Oh my… I would love a grown-up version!

  12. Kristie says:

    I wish you could add this to the original pattern, I would love to have both patterns. I would make one of each, one for my oldest and one for my youngest!