Felicity’s Colonial Cape… a Semi Tutorial on how to make one…

I’m calling this a “semi-tutorial” because it won’t be an exact step by step on how to make a cape, but I have quite a few pictures of how I made mine and you can just follow along. Depending on how much you sew, these directions might be enough for you to make one. I’m very happy with the way it’s turning out and hope to maybe get the neck edge finished tomorrow…

Okay, let’s see… first the pattern…someone asked which one it was… It’s Simplicity 8766 and is out of print so you’ll have to find one on Ebay. I used the red and white fur cape pattern. I only used the front and back piece…there may have been a tie, but I didn’t use it.

(If you click on any picture, it will enlarge.)

Our power went off this morning and I didn’t reset my camera on its dock, so when it came time to take my pictures, my camera battery was dead. I tried to take them on my phone, but something happened and I could NOT get them to load. So the first few pictures will just have to be “descriptive pictures.”

I used a piece of burgundy crushed velvet for Felicity’s cape. Just make sure when you use velvet, that you cut the pieces all the same direction. It’s kind of slippery so use several pins close to the edge to keep your fabric stable. When you have your pieces cut out, stitch the shoulder seams. I put a piece of paper at the ends, under the velvet when I start my seam, so the fabric doesn’t get sucked down the throat plate. I also use a stretch needle on the stretchy velvet. Use a cloth to cover the velvet and press your seams toward the back.

I wanted my cape to be as drapey as possible so I used some tulle in a burgundy color for the lining to make it lightweight and not change the shape of the cape. Instead of cutting out the tulle the same size as the cape, just cut a piece bigger than the opened up cape and use that. It was extended past the edges of the cape, but it will be MUCH easier to sew this way than trying to match up seams. Place the RIGHT side of the velvet on the tulle. Use LOTS of pins and pin the edges all around.

(I didn’t have a piece of velvet wide enough to cut my cape on the fold in the back, so you’ll see a seam in my pictures. I just allowed for a 1/4″ seam.)

After you are finished sewing 1/4″ from the front neck edge to front neck edge, trim the tulle to the edge of the velvet. (the curved part of the neck edge will still have raw edges.) Clip the corners diagonally across so they will have a nice sharp point when the cape it turned. Turn the cape and carefully push the corners to a point.

Velvet is kind of tricky and wants to slide so take the time to baste the edges, rolling the tulle just slightly to the inside.

Felicity wanted to try it on… even though it wasn’t finished…

I wanted to make sure when I added my decorative trim, that it was even, and easy to see, so I stitched around the edges with my machine using the lighter green color. I used a guide along the edges to make sure it was an even 5/8″ all the way around.

I fussed with a few different designs, but in the end, I just went with a traditional edging and a loop at the corners. I stitched the trim on by hand to make sure I could manipulate it where I wanted…

…oh, and one loop in the back, just for fun!

After I was finished sewing on my trim, I pressed it on the wrong side with a cloth on top and removed my basting stitches and my machine stitching that kept my trim edge straight.

I still have to finish the neck edge but that will have to wait until tomorrow… Okay…so Felicity wants to show you how it looks with her dress…

Pretty snazzy, huh? Felicity thinks so!

See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne

18 thoughts on “Felicity’s Colonial Cape… a Semi Tutorial on how to make one…”

  1. Gorgeous, Jeanne! I LOVE the trim and the way you put it on the cape! Is that the green trim you showed yesterday? Today, it is silver or gray on my monitor! But I do love the loops you made that dress it up. I love that the lace on the sleeves of her dress show too. I remember making felt capes for my granddaughters about 6 or 7 years ago, but nothing like yours! I didn’t even have a pattern, and they were longer, but were a thin type of felt, not the super thick kind, and did drape fairly well. They certainly weren’t lined, and were very basic, but they loved them just the same!
    This outfit is getting better and better every day, and I can’t wait to see what is coming! And I don’t mean the ice that is supposed to be coming this weekend!!!

    1. Thanks Linda,
      I’m glad you like it! Felicity does too! Yes, it’s the same green trim… it does look grayish on my monitor too, but it’s a light olive green. I used to make capes too…not too successfully but still made them.
      My hubby just laid down, so I’m hoping to get some sewing time in a bit.
      We are supposed to get “something” tonight too…hope it’s not ice!
      Blessings, Jeanne

    1. HI Charlotte,
      You are so welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed the tutorial and hope you make one for your doll!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  2. I agree with Charlotte. The cape is beautiful and the semi-tutorial, especially the use of the tulle and the extensive use of basting, was really useful. The results are lovely.
    I wasn’t really happy with the long sleeves on the dress, but when you add the cape and, as Linda said, the lace on the sleeves shows, the sleeves seem exactly right. I love the loops you made with the trim. This outfit looks well on its way to being a new favorite and a potential outfit of the year for 2017.

    1. Thanks Marilyn,
      I wish you all could see it in person…it’s so rich and elegant looking! I’m loving it! My new “go to” cape pattern!
      It would be funny if the “first” dress of the year ended up being the Dress of the year for 2017!

      Thanks Marilyn,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  3. Very snazzy, Felicity. I’m glad you got Jeanne to show it to us…please thank her for the tutorial and the time and effort she took to bring it to us. You look great, Felicity!

    Blessings on your day.

    1. Thank you Becky!
      I’m glad you like my new dress and cape! I have a great mommy who loves to sew and we get so show off her things to you all! She loves what she does and we do TOO!
      Thanks again Becky,
      Blessings, “Felicity”

  4. The burgundy is sooooo flattering to both Felicity anf the print of her dress!
    I love that you used tulle for the lining snd the trim is inspired:)
    Love this outfit:)

    1. Thanks so much Shara,
      I’m glad you are all liking Felicity’s new cape. I only wish you could see it in person. It’s really pretty! The velvet just shines!
      I’m glad it inspired you…well at least the trim did! :o)
      Blessings, Jeanne

  5. The cape is just perfect! Love it and the tutorial. The swirls in the trim give it such flair. Felicity must be dancing with excitement for her photo shoot.

    1. Thanks Joy,
      Yes, Felicity IS loving this new set… she’s not ready for a photo shoot because she knows then she has to take it off in just a few days. I still have plenty to do, but hope to get something done on it this afternoon.
      I’ll let you know if I see Felicity dancing.
      Blessings, Jeanne

  6. What great ideas: Sewing it to a larger piece of tulle and the extensive basting. The colors of the cape and contrasting trim are perfect with the dress and beautiful with Felicity’s eye color. The loops really add so much to the design of the cape, a true Jeanne Marie detail. I’ll be interested to see how the neck opening is finished.

    1. Hi Susette,
      Thanks so much for your sweet compliments on Felicity’s dress and cape. It’s coming together so well and I’m enjoying this one very much!
      I’ll show how I finished the neck edge of the cape tonight..hopefully! :o)
      Thanks again,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  7. Oh, Felicity is certainly looking lovely in her dress and cape. Thank you so much for the semi-tutorial. The idea of tulle lining in really interesting, I thought satin would be the choice, but I bet the tulle is far easier to work with and get the same effect.
    The little loops are the perfect detail. Can’t wait to see how you finish this one out and where Felicity is going in her elegant ensemble.
    The weather is quite strange her. We had a high of close to 60 today, can you believe it, and now it’s dropping and the high tomorrow is low 30’s and yes, dreaded ice on Saturday.

    1. HI Laura,
      Thanks for your compliments on Felicity’s cape. I used the tulle because it’s so lightweight and it lets the velvet hang like I wanted it to. It’s pretty much non existent in the cape and is really only for the edges to be finished some way.
      It was 65 this morning and now it’s 36…with a windchill of 25! We might get snow or ice tonight… have to wait and see. :o/
      Thanks Laura,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  8. Never in a million years would I have thought to use tulle for lining! The trim is the perfect color to be trim but not draw too much attention to itself.
    Can’t wait to see the finished ensemble:)

    1. Thanks so much Kathie,
      Tulle really is a great lining when you don’t want it to add bulk to anything. It’s like sewing a kleenex to the inside of your garment.
      I’ve been working all evening on it..and you’ll see some more of it tomorrow…
      Blessings, Jeanne

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