Inverness Cape questions

[Friday]

I know i am coming late to this discussion, the Cutters Guide was mentioned. The Cutter's Guide can be found at:
The Cutter's Practical Guide 1893-1898 by W. D. F. Vincent The guide is shown in different version covering a 5 year period. Not all type of clothing is discussed in each year, the Inverness Cape diagram is found at:
Inverness Cape

Diagrams and discussions on various Highland Jackets are found in many of the guides.

Have you started?

[David Thorpe]

I made a trip to the fabric store today and bought a very nice slightly heathered grey heavy wool flannel for my cape, along with interfacing (which I don't think I'll need), silver satin lining and heavy thread. Now it's a matter of waiting for the pattern I bought from Ebay yesterday to arrive.
I still have kilts to work on while I'm waiting...

[brewerpaul]

I made a trip to the fabric store today and bought a very nice slightly heathered grey heavy wool flannel for my cape, along with interfacing (which I don't think I'll need), silver satin lining and heavy thread. Now it's a matter of waiting for the pattern I bought from Ebay yesterday to arrive.
I still have kilts to work on while I'm waiting...

Well done, looking forward to seeing your work. Keep us posted with some photos. Ill start on my pattern alterations this week using the Simplicity pattern and go from there. In the mean time Ive got to had sew my button holes in a wine colored worsted wool waistcoat using the Laughing Moon frock coat and vests patterns, photo below. Too bad I have to waste so much time at work and not at my sewing machine.

I used pattern for vest B because it is as close to the New Bankers vest from Gentleman's Emporium I've found. I'm using a very nice wine colored worsted wool for this vest. Ill post a photo when I have it done.

[Destin_scot]

Which pattern did you purchase on Ebay? A silver satin lining ought to look cool.

[brewerpaul]

Which pattern did you purchase on Ebay? A silver satin lining ought to look cool.

David got the Butterick 3993 Inverness cape pattern which is a bit hard to come by anymore. Ive seen only a couple on EBay and he was fortunate to score one. I have the Simplicity Sherlock Holmes Inverness cape pattern which is also out of production. Im looking forward to seeing David's cape, he is quite a good tailor.

[David Thorpe]

I used pattern for vest B because it is as close to the New Bankers vest from Gentleman's Emporium I've found. I'm using a very nice wine colored worsted wool for this vest. Ill post a photo when I have it done.

Excellent choice. Pattern A might be too long for a kilt waistcoat. Look forward to the photos.

[Elf]

To belatedly address your original question, in my tailor's guide the body of the Inverness cape and the Chesterfield coat are the same only that the former does not have sleeves and the latter does. However several Highland catalog photos have the model wearing a jacket under the cape of the same fabric. This makes it look like the cape has sleeves.

Good luck with your project. It sounds like you have it well in hand by now.

[David Thorpe]

The Butterick pattern arrived today. I have read through the layout and construction instructions. It will work - with some modifications. The pattern is intended for a costume garment. It has no front facings and no lining except for the cape. That will not do for my purposes. For one thing, I want two interior lining pockets. I am also thinking about adding two large flapped hip pockets. Fortunately, the layout for 60" wide fabric has the sleeves end to end. I can use that part for front facings instead.
I'm done for the day. Cutting tomorrow...

[Blupiper]

Per this discussion on Inverness capes, I ran into this thread on the Bob Dunsire Forums:

http://forums.bobdunsire.com/forums/...d.php?t=149004

This might be a lower cost, alternative to making your own. If you are a canny sew and sew, perhaps the arms could be removed and the extra fabric used for inside pockets, etc. What say you, expert tailors?

JMB

[Destin_scot]

David,

Keep us posted on the progress. I bought the Recreating History: Inverness Cape pattern. I'll lay it out and take some photos of it. Take a look and see if it is more to your liking...if it is, the pattern is available on Amazon at a very reasonable cost.

Thanks,

MMG