Cloak question

Jennifer Juniper · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

So, my dear friend wants me to make her a cloak but is very specific about
what she want it to be like.

She doesn't want a hood or a collar.
She wants it to show a good amount of chest area.
She wants it to close completely at the front when she's cold and hang open
when she wants to see the dress underneath.
She doesn't want it to slip around and try to choke her.

I have some ideas on what to do but if anyone knows of a pattern that would
meet most of these requirements it would make my job easier. Or, if you have
any suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Smile

Thanks,
Jen

Archived from group: alt>history>costuming

Kara · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 42

On Thu, 31 Mar 2005 13:01:30 -0800, "Jennifer Juniper"
wrote:

>So, my dear friend wants me to make her a cloak but is very specific about
>what she want it to be like.
>
>She doesn't want a hood or a collar.
>She wants it to show a good amount of chest area.
>She wants it to close completely at the front when she's cold and hang open
>when she wants to see the dress underneath.
>She doesn't want it to slip around and try to choke her.
>
>I have some ideas on what to do but if anyone knows of a pattern that would
>meet most of these requirements it would make my job easier. Or, if you have
>any suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Smile

>
>Thanks,
>Jen

Difficult, that one. Especially the one about being able to close and
hang open.

I would start with a basic half circle cape, and go from there. If
the clasp is high up, the chest area is nicely visible underneath.
Make sure the shoulders are well shaped to her, and there shouldn't be
any problem with it slipping back and choking her. I have also come
to learn that it is best to use two clasps. The decorative ones
aren't always very strong, and it is horrible having the clasp break
or come off mid-event. So I usually sew in a small, but strong hook
and eye on the inside for extra suport.

The half-circle cape doesn't close that well infront. She would have
to hold it closed herself. You could try with some hooks on the
inside down the front, and see how that would work. Also try a 3/4
cicrle cape. I don't have one at hand, so I can't tell if it fills all
the requiremnts, but as far as I remember, it behaves much like the
half-circle, except it is fuller and therefor closes easilier in
front. And it uses almost double the amount of fabric.

Hope that helps.

Kara