Friday 6 September 2013

1950s Jacket-Cape for TMS

When I heard about The Monthly Stitch* I promptly threw my hat in the ring - monthly challenges sounded feasible, and I was excited to mingle with a new-to-me group of sewists.  What's more, the August challenge was capes, and capes sound easy, right?

* Have you heard of The Monthly Stitch?  If you haven't, follow the link, go have a look (then come back for the show and tell). It's a similar idea to The Sew Weekly, but it's brand spanking new, it's monthly not weekly (d'oh) and - well, go have a look, join in, sign up! 

Here's my cape - goodness knows what my hands are saying, perhaps "it took me THIS long!":





It looks easy enough, but it took me ages!

Cape patterns weren't so much a problem as a distraction - I had too many lovely vintage cape patterns to choose from. Fabric was the next concern... your traditional cape devours fabric, and I wanted to sew from my stash. Since I don't usually buy huge cape-like quantities of anything I had to pick a pattern that would work with less.  


Vogue 2934, you look a reasonable sort of chap - not too demanding... Think you can wrap your head around working with this 1.85m Plaid fellow? 

     You'll do it?  - - Can I rely on you?


Excellent!  How soon can you start? 




Pattern and fabric started work that very evening.



The work was harder than anticipated, but with a jolly atmosphere, spirits remained high.






I used Vogue 2934, a reissue of a 1950 pattern - a loose, lined cape with a flared back, funnel neckline and dolman sleeves:  



Oh look, no wonder my sleeves are so long - I forgot to turn them up!

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I started sewing a week out from the due date. My planning skills are appalling - there wasn't enough time! Luckily I was able to get a late pass from Mel, so I chugged away for a few extra evenings and handed it in about 3 days late.

In my defense, I did spend quite a bit of time matching the not-square plaids across fronts, backs, sides and facings.  It took a long time as I only just had enough fabric, but the resulting symmetry and plaid matching make me feel good:




Plus I had to learn how to make a bound buttonhole (woohoo!!! I even got the fabric in the bound section to line up!):


Had to? Well, from the experience on my cashmere jacket I knew that my machine wouldn't manage a regular buttonhole on 2 layers of wool and interfacing. All good though, bound buttonhole-making is a skill worth gaining!


I will definitely need to do a PatternReview of this pattern as I didn't think the instructions were particularly efficient - perhaps they were sticking close to the originals though. [For example, I like to bag my sleeve linings by machine, and this requires a change to the order of lining construction - don't sew the centre back lining seam first!] On the plus side, this pattern sews up a much smarter little cape than I was expecting - and the airy style means it's perfect for in-between seasons. 

Better go - roast potatoes and vintage pattern surfing are calling :)

See you anon
- Gabrielle x


21 comments:

  1. The cape looks fabulous. I think that maybe a cape with less volume, like the pattern you have chosen, is more wearable - otherwise I know I would end up looking like a nurse in the forties! Am heading over to the monthly stitch site now....!

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    1. Thank you! It does feel a bit voluminous on, but the sleeves and shoulder shaping hold it on well. And Sydney is not usually that cold or windy... I think you would make a very fetching 1940s nurse, btw!

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  2. Wonderful pattern matching!! And you did it with just enough fabric.Wow! I applaud you also for the bound button hole! Great job Gabrielle!

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    1. Thank you Margo! I really suspect that bound buttonhole was beginner's luck.... I'm scared to try my luck again!

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  3. I am not usually a cape wearer. I couldn't imagine something flapping in the cold breeze and how do you drive in them. Yours on the other hand looks practical as well as cape like! I like the fabric you chose. Matching the stripes must have been a mission.

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    1. Thank you Andrea, this is my first cape since I was a little kid :). It is quite breezy - I imagine it wouldn't be that practical in a windy or cold place, but it's fine for Sydney. The matching was actually fun - the sewing version of a jigsaw puzzle :)

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  4. I love this. I thought it was a cropped swing jacket, never guessing it was made from a vintage pattern. So much more wearable than what I consider a cape.

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    1. Thanks Audrey, I'm loving it too - it's much more wearable than I expected! Funnily enough the pattern envelope describes this as a jacket; I assumed it was a cape because of the shape and swingy look, and because there are other 'jackety' patterns around these days (Papercut Patterns' Watson cape, for example) that are 'capes'.

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  5. Plaid matching, fabric limits and bound buttonholes, oh my!!! Gabrielle this just beautiful as always. I may have to raid your closet and steal this for my own.

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    1. Oh Jillian, thank you, flattery will get you everywhere!

      Hmm.... would you settle for raiding my fabric stash instead??

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    2. Just say the word and I'll be there!

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  6. Your plaid choice is masterful.

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    1. Thank you Maria, it's suitably vintage looking isn't it?

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  7. Gorgeous cape, love the plaid and bound buttonholes definitely a woohoo moment!

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    1. Thank you Sharon - it definitely was satisfying to make a nice bound buttonhole; I am pretty slow at building up my skills :)

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  8. Fantastic -it looks so lovely with your black pencil skirt. Your plaid matching skills are envious....

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    1. Thank you Kristy! The plaid matching took ages - but I am one of those weird people that loves the fabric layout and cutting stages of sewing :)

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  9. Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog. I love your cape, but you've stolen my thunder. I have the same fabric and was thinking cape or cropped jacket. Hope you won't think me a copycat! Love to meet up with you at a Sydney sewers gathering or our Guild.

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  10. I've had that pattern for AGES, but this is the first time I've see it made up. Yours is gorgeous!

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  11. Absolutely brilliant.
    Thank you so much for joining Share-in-Style: Plaid
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  12. Que bonita chaqueta te traes. Que gusto tenerte en nuestro reto. Un gran abrazo desde http://jualferx.blogspot.com/

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