cape – WeSewRetro.com

1950s

A jacket / cape by StinaP

By Stina P on November 4, 2015

Well, even if I haven’t posted here lately I’ve been sewing quite a bit – a silk blouse and lace skirt – and having a sort of wardrobe identity crises. You can read all about it on my blog. But I haven’t been sewing so much retro, until my most recent make – a jacket or cape from a 1950’s reproduction pattern.

Just before Lisbon, I whipped it up in a blue-grey wool with an ivory silk lining and some vintage rhinestones buttons as a final touch. For once, I used a commercial pattern (Vogue Vintage Model V2934, an original 1950’s design). Although I didn’t change the design – much – I did sew it differently from the directions.

And I’m just saying – I really love it. Please come over to my blog StinaP and get all the nerdy sewing details!

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Vintage inspired drafted cape

By Mermaids Purse on August 3, 2015

I started this cape project earlier this year, it’s a flow on from my big ‘separates sewing’ days from 2014. I made a cape last year, but was not quite sold on it, and wanted one with a decent collar, so I modified my original 1950s pattern, drafted a collar and voila! I cape I’m very happy with.

Butterick 6039, my starting point, (the older project is here). I have more photos and project details on my blog, I used the last of some lovely wool crepe and a remnant of cotton silk for the lining, and a button from my stash.

I attached a hook and eye for the closure, sewing the button on top, as I couldn’t commit to it! And I’m still undecided about the best closure. Ha!

I’m really happy with this cape, it adds real warmth, without too much weight, it is easy to wear and (I think) it’s a simple way to add some elegance to a more casual ensemble. And it looks great closed or unbuttoned.

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A cape for Poison Ivy

By ooobop on November 15, 2012

I made a capelet for my daughter’s halloween costume… better late than never, hey?!

Poison Ivy was a fictional character, enemy of Batman, created by DC Comics. She made her debut appearance in 1966.

It was a very quick and easy project, self-drafted using the formula for a circle skirt with the addition of a ruffle on a collar stand.

I used a weighty green polyester satin for the self and a polyester satin lining in red for the inside.

The only difficulty I had was sewing two very shiny fabrics together…nightmare!

I forgot to enclose the ribbon ties in the collar stand so I used a couple of glitzy buttons to hide the ends of the ribbon which were sewn to the right side!

She was very happy with the result and she looked amazing with the whole ensemble! I just feel very old!!

I have included a ‘how-to‘ on my blog, just in case you fancy making one! 😉

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1930s | Capes | Skirts | Vintage Sewing

1930s Winter Wear

By Starspangledheart on March 6, 2012

Today I’ve gotten side tracked by the 1930s because of a lovely piece of rust and cream herringbone wool given to me by a friend that just needed to be made into something 1930s and fabulous. Eva Dress SE30-1399 had been waiting in my pattern stash for just such an opportunity!

It goes smashingly with this 1930s sweater I also recently knit from A Stitch in Time Vol. 2. This whole ensemble has me wishing for more wintery days so I can wear it!

Find more details and a pattern review on my blog.

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1930s | 1940s | 1950s | Capes

Little 30’s/40’s style cape

By Jeanne on January 16, 2012

Last Sunday I made this little cape in a pale blue felt mainly to double check a pattern before I cut it in something else but I like how it turned out and will wear it this Spring I expect. Originally conceived to go with a 1930’s style dress it now looks more 1950’s…

Below is the original collarless cape made to go with this 1930’s style velvet dress I made for New Years Eve (I like to be glam at least one night of the year!) The velvet is a good weight silk/rayon mix… I got it from a friend who said he’d had it at least 30 years so practically vintage fabric

As velvets go it was easy to sew, not horribly slippy like some velvets. The neck and sleeve edges are finished with self bias bindings, only pinked (scalloping shears actually) on the inside instead of folded under to cut down on bulk.

To hem I machine stay-stitched just a fraction below the hem line, pinked close to the stitching and turned it up just past the stitching and hand caught it in place. It makes for a nice fluid hem on bias velvet and looks neat on the inside too.

I’ve put up a free pdf pattern at the bottom of the linked post for making the blue collared style yourself.

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1920s | Capes

McCall 4459 by Miler Soeurs

By PatternVault on November 22, 2011

My 1920s designer pattern for this week is McCall 4459, a cape by Miler Soeurs. Here’s the pattern envelope:

McCall 4459 Miler Soeurs 1920s designer cape pattern

This one is also from 1926. The Ladies’ and Misses’ size Small (14-16) seemed just right for Naomi, so I didn’t make any alterations at all. The pattern gave two lengths for the cape; I cut the shorter length, which is the same length as the dress she’d be wearing it with.

I made the cape in a grey Dormeuil wool-silk blend with a silver moiré lining and contrast wool pockets. Two small changes I made were to leave off the (decorative) pocket buttons and to interface the standing collar yoke with hair canvas. Working with such beautiful fabric, I was extra-careful with the finishing details—and it was completely worth it.

Here are a few photos of the finished cape:

You can find more details and photos on my blog.

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