The Cape.

[ysc]

Originally Posted by Wvillager

How would lining stay mated together with a large cape? Unless there are seams, quilting, glue, or _____ the lining would sag below
I have a couple of old opera cloaks, they have a lining but it doesn't seem to be attached anywhere except the edges, but it hangs fine. I don't have them here with me, so I can't look at it more closely.

 

[Chiaroscuro]

Originally Posted by Artigas

Something that hangs gracefully would be important, I think. With a visually impressive lining.

A deep purple damask might be nice or gold.

 

[Marcus Brody]

Originally Posted by youngscientist

You should go for it, and if you do take pictures,
Something water proof, I would think a tweed, or maybe a heavy cotton of the sort rain coats are made of, if you are after something practical.

Originally Posted by Artigas

Something that hangs gracefully would be important, I think. With a visually impressive lining.

Originally Posted by LabelKing

Many military capes have a red or crimson lining. They are usually of a rather dense, dark felt-like wool.

I was thinking of either a tweed (similar to the one in the original post) or a dark gray felt, more military style. I have an overcoat that is cut like a trench but made of dark wool felt and sports a bright red satin lining that makes me look slightly like a German field marshal in the best possible way. I can't decide if having the coat makes me more or less likely to want a cape that would have a very similar aesthetic.

I think I'd go with a crimson lining if I went with heavy dark wool felt and possibly black satin if I went for a more monochrome tweed. I'd also be tempted by a dark purple lining, but I wouldn't want people to think my cape was feminine and think I was weird now would I?

Originally Posted by Wvillager

How would lining stay mated together with a large cape? Unless there are seams, quilting, glue, or _____ the lining would sag below

I hadn't really thought of this much. I have some blankets that my mom made that the lining stays together well enough. I'm not thinking a huge cape, so I'm hoping that the edges, few seems and general drape will keep it close enough together. If it doesn't appear to be doing so, I'll probably try a hem like seem on the inside. My real construction worry is that my little Singer Simple sewing maching might not like this thick of fabric, but that depends if I decide to just use two layers, or use three if my outer layer is thinner (because I was unable to find a suitably thick outer fabric).

 

[crazyquik]

Originally Posted by Marcus Brody

I'm considering practicing my rudimentary sewing skills by attempting to make a cape similar to the one in the first post.

What would be people's fabric choices?

I looked into this once. There are some free patterns/plans online.

I would get a thick thick boiled wool. Actually I would try with an old bedsheet first, and then if it worked try again with wool you pay for.

Here's a pattern. Don't put a **** hood on it. Making a nice collar would be the hardest part probably.

http://home.clara.net/arianrhod/Alde...f/Cloak02.html

http://home.clara.net/arianrhod/Alde...f/Cloak03.html

There are forums, sorta like SF, but for the Scottish-Highlander Games type people. Some of them make or alter their own clothes, and some of them make capes (even Inverness). Apparently if you're standing in a cold rain wearing a kilt and playing bagpipes at a funeral, you're allowed to wear a cape.

Please ignore the Renn-Faire guy:
http://www.amtgard-wl.com/library/howtos/how2clok.pdf

 

[robin]

An old astrakhan cape for a woman: http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Black-Cu...em330310225766

 

[ysc]

I think a nice lining is important, but I would shy away from something really bright or conspicuous cos-

1) The lining will be very visible, more so than in a coat or jacket
2) You are already wearing a cape, you may not want to be more noticeable

I really don't think the lining sagging would be too big of a problem so long as it was the right size and "fitted" in the outer part of the cape well, but if it was a couple of lines of stitching coming down from the collar, maybe not even all the way down would surely take care of it.

 

[Benjamin Chee HH]

What about the traditional chang pao (long gown)?

 

[ysc]

Originally Posted by ~ B ~

What about the traditional chang pao (long gown)?

That is pretty cool, but it is not a cape, I can see how it could perform many of the same functions (goes over the top of everything else, keeps you warm/dry) but its not a cape

 

[coverto]

I met Tom Wolfe the other day and he was sporting a black three-quarter length cape that left me wondering desperately about the luminous suit it was no doubt concealing. I asked myself whether he was evoking "Tom Wolfe the Conjurer" or "Tom Wolfe the Impaler." In any case, folks were remarking upon it, and he seemed very satisfied.

 

[LabelKing]

 

[Benjamin Chee HH]

Yes it's not a cape. But it's similar in grandeur and majesty. It is warm enough to wear in subzero weather with nothing under, if made of silk as it had been traditionally for the scholar-gentry of Imperial China. I wore it on the first day of the Spring Festival this year with just trousers under, and it combined the quiet elegance of a ceremonial robe with the comfort of a silk dressing gown. An awe-inspiring garment in all senses.

 

[RJman]

Originally Posted by ~ B ~

Yes it's not a cape. But it's similar in grandeur and majesty. It is warm enough to wear in subzero weather with nothing under, if made of silk as it had been traditionally for the scholar-gentry of Imperial China. I wore it on the first day of the Spring Festival this year with just trousers under, and it combined the quiet elegance of a ceremonial robe with the comfort of a silk dressing gown. An awe-inspiring garment in all senses.

That's as may be, but it's not a cape. No one is disputing teh Chinese made some beautiful things.

 

[crazyquik]

Elvis wore capes.

He was, however, the King.

 

[Benjamin Chee HH]

Originally Posted by RJman

That's as may be, but it's not a cape. No one is disputing teh Chinese made some beautiful things.
Indeed, I am proposing it as an alternative to the cape. Consider it an addition to your sartorial lexicon. And the Chinese make beautiful things.

 

[Ich_Dien]