Inverness Cape questions

[brewerpaul]

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...

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

Sounds like we have a Inverness Cape sew off going on here.. Cool...Either start your own thread or please feel free to continue to post progress here, Id like to see what everyone is doing. It will be interesting to see the creative ways we each adapt the patterns we have here. So we have the Butterick, the Recreating History and the Simplicity that I am using. All should be fun to see.
I know you will get your pattern set up nicely David, I wish I had the time you do to work on mine. I plan on some deep warm hip level pockets on my cape possibly lined with some polartec 100 or just some good soft wool. I like your idea of some interior pockets, may have to use it too. Looking forward to doing some pattern fitting myself this weekend as Im tied to a pager on call and it is supposed to be rainy. If Im not at work I know Ill be messing around with my cape. Keep the progress posts coming and ad photos when you can.

[David Thorpe]

I looked at that pattern after seeing your post and I like it. The cape is longer, and my size is included (50 chest). A couple of questions: Is it lined, and is the cape loose all the way around or sewn tight at the back somehow?
I'm going to hold off cutting until I see more about your pattern.

Edit: I went ahead and ordered the Vogue pattern in case there was a rush among lurkers.

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

[frank_a]

I have ordered this pattern, but for the life of me, cannot find the review and/or changes to the instructions you allude to. Could you provide a link to it? It would be greatly appreciated.

Aye yours,

Frank

If you are making Simplicity #2517, take a minute and search site www.patternReview.com
It is free, if you have to join to search.
There is one lengthy review of this pattern and changes to the instructions to make it work. There is also an older review of pattern Butterick #3393 too.
Hope this helps.

[Kiltboy]

The review of Simplicity #2517 is below.
http://sewing.patternreview.com/review/pattern/68248

True, the search engine on this site is picky.
If it doesn't work, you may have to register (free) on the website first.
As for the review of pattern Butterick #3393, now I can't find it. I'll keep digging.

OK, found it. One little typo. Butterick #3993
http://sewing.patternreview.com/review/pattern/16679

[frank_a]

Excellent, thanks so much!

Aye yours,

Frank

[Destin_scot]

David,

Yes, the cape is lined, they call for a lining of silk, satin, or similar "slick" material, along with interfacing for structure/insulation. Won't know if that's really needed until I actually start the process. I've got so many projects going on right now, I need to regroup and actually complete a couple before I take any more on....

Saw the Recreating History pattern, and decided that as long as I have space to store that kind of thing, now is not a bad time to purchase the pattern. Same thing with the wool fabric I bought...found some 100% subdued glenn plaid @ 60" wide for $5.00 a yard, and some herringbone 95% wool 5% nylon @ 60" wide for $8.00 a yard and figured it was too good a deal not to get it, even if I have to get a seamstress or tailor to actually finish the cape.

Projects that I should finish before starting on the cape: restoration of a 1923 Singer Treadle sewing machine...

[frank_a]

I may go out and look for material today. That way I could break to the wee lass that I have a new project on the way, and may need a wee bit of assistance....

Frank

[David Thorpe]

Thanks, Destin. Sounds like some great fabric deals!
My pattern should be here early next week. I have kilts to build in the meantime.
Do you recall how much 60" fabric and how much lining material is specified for size 50 or 52?

[brewerpaul]

Taking the advice of Sydnie7 and others here on XMarks I'm making this cape in a couple of rounds. Round one is to cut the body out in a cheap poly/cotton fabric and piece it together to see how well it will look. Even though I didnt pay much for my houndstooth wool fabric I dont want to cut into it until I know my pattern is acceptable. Ive read some of the reviews of the different patterns and am sticking with my Simplicity even though some steps are vague at best. Well patterns are like recipes, they are nothing but guides that you adapt or follow line for line. Depends on how you sew or cook. A clove of garlic and small onion is a bulb of garlic and two large onions to me. So below I have cut the two back pieces, the two fronts and two sides. Running a quick stitch through the backs, the sides to backs and the shoulders I then hung it on my evil twin brother. Pinning up the side to the front reveals this does look more like a coat than I want. For some reason I dont want to wear a houndstooth Matrix coat, just doesnt seem right. So from here Ill add to the sides and underarm to allow a good fit if I am wearing a jacket or sweater. The shoulders and back seem ok though Ill put it on again to make sure. From about kilt waist height down Ill add to the flair of the coat so it looks more a cape than coat. The length will be just below the knee so it will work out. Updates as I go.

Side view showing the sewn together back and side panels. The front is only pinned to the side allowing and including 5/8 seam allowance.




Back view, the pattern does have a split in the back about lower butt down.




Front showing this to be really too Matrix fitting for my needs so it will get flared out some from kilt waist level down.




My heavy weight wool houndstooth. Photos never show cloth well. It is camel/beige with dark charcoal and slate gray houndstooth woven in. Ill use a black or camel wool for the interior lining.

[Pleater]

I have the advantage of Sherlock Homes being on TV quite a bit, and I noted that when Dr Watson arrived back at Baker Street at the start of 'A scandal in Bohemia' he was wearing an Inverness, and it really was quite full, definitely cut more like a cloak than a coat. Beneath it he wore a jacket and Mrs. Hudson was able to remove the cape very easily to dry it by the kitchen fire so the armholes must have been fairly deep.

The flare is not from the waist but from the shoulders - on your side view a couple of inches below the top of the armhole there is extra fabric centre back. Not a lot, just enough to flow away from the lower ribs to maybe add an extra foot of width at the lower edge, which was about half way between knee and ankle.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: