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Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Constructing a Red Cape

Reenactors at the Battle of the Hook - Two with Red Capes

I have a story where a red cape is one of the plot details. I've been on the lookout for construction of capes. So when Cynthia Howerter and I came across these lovely ladies at the Battle of the Hook reenactment last year, we had to stop to chat with them!

Below is the inside of the longer red cape. As you can see, it requires a great deal of material. I was told that the cloth, a bright red wool, is often available through reenactor sales suppliers.  You'll see in the pictures that follow, that the hood can be lined with white fabric.
















Here it is fully pulled open. You can see the panel on the right, that I'll also show below.  So below we can see she is pointing to the seam that was stitched to hold the extra panels on the ends.  Note, above, that the material is gathered at the neckline where it meets the hood.
















Below is the hood from the shorter cape. Note how the center of the hood becomes almost a cone shape when pushed through.

You can see from the picture below that the spacious cape comes in handy for keeping your daughter warm, too! Loved meeting these ladies.
 In the picture below, the excess lining is gently gathered and tucked inside between the wool and linen or cotton lining.

Here we can see how the fabric is not stitched together in this hood, but it can be, if you prefer. It is not required. This is a nice time saving if one is in a hurry to get ready for a reenactment event. Or if one is a busy mother with little time to attend to the detail for finely sticking down the gathered sections which is very time consuming.

I sure wish I had my own red cape. Alas, I still do not. And I don't think I'll be able to construct my own at this point in time. But this project does look very doable. The heavy wool does not really require a hem at the bottom. It can be cut with sharp sheers with little to no fraying.

Until I have my own red cape (which I'd love to have used with some willing young lady as model for the cover I have in mind) I'll have to content myself with looking at these pictures of these beautiful red capes!

Question: Is there some colonial garment that you wish you owned? 

12 comments:

  1. Great post Carrie.
    Hmm, good question. I like the shawls the ladies wore and their gowns. The cape is pretty too.
    Blessings,Tina

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    1. I love the shawls, too. I'm so glad that those big scarves are back in style. Cynthia gave me a gorgeous pink scarf that I can use like a shawl. I want one of those capes so bad.

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  2. Love the cape and I love red! Not sur ehow warm it would be here in MN. It is 21* today with a feels like 4*. Rather chilly, I think...lol

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    1. They could line them with fur, Betti, including the hood, for the northern climes. Brrrrrr up there! Stay warm!

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  3. Of course, I'm partial to red, but I would love to have a cape like this. I love this article, Carrie. We had such a wonderful time that day.

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    1. Sure did enjoy that day and glad to have our families and friends with us!

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  4. I'm hoping to purchase a sewing machine soon, Carrie. And do you know what that means? You and I will have some gorgeous colonial clothes to wear!

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    1. I have an old sewing machine I haven't used in years. I think this could even be hand sewn reasonably quickly. I liked that they said the hem didn't have to be sewn if you cut that type of material with really sharp shears.

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  5. I would love to have an apron, like the ones worn on Little House on the Prairie. They seemed to cover clothes quite nicely, & I find I'm sloppy in the kitchen.

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    1. Cyn, I think you can still find those. I think you mean the ones with the ruffles and long. I'm glad aprons are back in style! Got one for my nephew's wife last year.

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  6. I would like a cape. Easy on and I could snuggle under in my chair in front of the fire :)

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    1. I have a black wool cape/cloak, Deanna this is a modern day type of cape and the problems I've encountered over the years are that with the openings for the arms, the seams near them tend to tear easily. It's cut much closer to the body than this colonial style. Also, with no hood, mine has limited usefulness. But it looks really elegant!

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