How to make the Cape Coat


By Georgina Raudino
I have always loved coats and jackets, but i was missing something in my wardrobe that was a little different. This pattern is the perfect garment to add to your wardrobe for a fashionable difference. 
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I want to make sewing fun and enjoyable and most importantly easy to follow. In this blog you will learn how to make the Cape Coat from start to finish. You can also watch 'How to make the Cape Coat on our YouTube channel'.
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The Cape Coat pairs perfectly with denim and our Long Sleeve Top pattern. The style is chic and feminine and great for all shapes and sizes. If you are wanting to add something special to your wardrobe, I highly recommend this pattern.
The Cape Coat
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All of our PDF sewing patterns are suitable for both US letter head and A4 paper. Perfect for all sewers to sew anywhere in the world. We are trying to make sewing fun and convientant for everyone.

ESSENTIAL TOOLS
Sewing Machine
Sticky tape
Paper Scissors
Ruler
Tape measure
Pins
Fabric scissors
Matching thread for seams
Hand sewing needle and thread
Iron and ironing board
 
RECOMMENDED FABRICS
Get creative and use contrast colours, for a fun and flirty aesthetic!
Knitted or woven fabrics such as wool, boiled wool, lightweight wool, lightweight denim, leatherette, faux fur, leather, jacquard knit and machine knit.
Bias Seam binding = length 1.5m or 45 yards, width 1.5cm or 1/2 inch
Decorative closures for front of cape such as toggles or leather strapping
Cape Coat Fabric-
THE PATTERN PIECES
Use the pattern Tile Guide to assist you in laying out the pattern. Cut along the outside lines. Do not overlap the pages. Butt together the outside dashed lines

and hold together with tape

TRANSFERRING THE PATTERN TO FABRIC

• Place the pattern onto the fabric and u se pins to hold in place

• Take note of fold lines and straight grains

• Transfer markings using tailors chalk

• Notch seam allowance using the point of sharp scissors

• It may be helpful to outline your choice of size in coloured

pen before you cut out the pattern

• Cut along the OUTSIDE SOLID line. The dashed line is your

stitching line

• All sizes have 1.5 cm / (5/8) inches seam allowance

Cape Coat Pattern Pieces

STEP-BY-STEP

HOT TIP - Pre Wash your fabric before use. This helps with any warping or shrinkage of your fabric.  

BINDING THE SEAM

STEP 1. Make sure you have notched all your seam allowances before removing your pattern pieces. Notch the centre back as well.

STEP 2. Using a bias binding tape that is 12mm or 3/4” wide (minimum), we are going to bind all the seams of this cape that show. I have used an acetate binding that looks like satin.

STEP 3. On the wrong side of the seam allowance of your cape panels, open out the fold in the binding tape and pin it, matching the raw edges. Stitch through this fold line.

STEP 4. Fold the binding over to the front of the panels and pin and stitch the binding on the folded edge. You should cover the first row of stitching. Don’t worry if you can see the stitching on the wrong side. It won’t show on the finished garment.

The cape coat

STEP 5. Bind the front, side front, side back, side seams and the centre seams of the hood. Don’t bind the facing edge.

STITCHING THE PANELS

STEP 1. With right sides together, pin and sew the side front to the front panels leaving the opening for the hands. Make sure you reinforce the start and finish of all your seams.

the cape coat pinning the side seam

STEP 2. With right sides together, pin and sew the side back panels to the centre back, and the front and back together at the side seams.

The Cape Coat pocket openings

STEP 3. Press all these seams open.

The Cape Coat Press all seams open

STEP 4. Bind the hem following the process for sewing on the binding.

 THE HOOD

STEP 1. With right sides together, pin and stitch the centre seam of the hood together.

The Cape Coat stitching the hood

STEP 2. With right sides together, pin the facing of the hood to the facing of the front facing of the cape. Stitch on the seam allowance line but only as far as the seam allowance at the neck edge of these pieces.

The Cape Coat neck of hood

STEP 3. With right sides together, pin and stitch the hood to the neck edge, making sure all your seam allowances are open including the seam that connects the facing of the hood to the facing of the cape.

The Cape Coat attaching the hood to body

STEP 4. Press the front facing back into position.

The Cape Coat Press Facing Open

STEP 5. At the neck edge, press the beginning of the facing seam open and clip in to release the seam allowance, so you can press the rest of the neck seam together.

The Cape Coat Pressing the Facing Open

STEP 6. With right sides together, pin and sew the hood facing together at the top front.

The Cape Coat stitching of the hood

STEP 7. Bind all the way around the front facing and the hood facing, following the previous method of binding.

STEP 8. With right sides together, pin the hood facing to the hood. Stitch on the seam allowance line. Trim the seam allowance back in layers so you don’t have a bulky line when you turn the facing through to the outside.

The Cape Coat trimming back hood

The Cape Coat trimming of hood seam

STEP 9. Press into position. Trim the neck edge seam to even it up before you bind this as well. Make sure you start the binding underneath where the facing will fold back.

The Cape Coat Hood and FacingSTEP 10. Secure the facing at the top of the hood by stitching it to the hood seam line.

 THE HEM

STEP 1. Measure up the hem and pin into position. Fold the facing back on itself and bag out both sides. Trim the excess hem allowance that sits behind the facing.

The Cape coat hemming

The Cape Coat stitching hem facing

STEP 2. Using a hand sewing needle and thread stitch the hem up.

The Cape Coat Hand stitch the Hem

 THE FINAL PRESS

STEP1. Trim any excess threads and give your garment a final press.

ADD YOUR TOGGLES

STEP 1. Measure from the Centre Front (the length of the toggle) across and then from the top of the hood down to get the correct position for your toggles. Put pins in place to secure the placement. Pin the Toggles on ready for you to sew them on. Make sure you check that the position of both sides are correct before stitching in place. 

The Cape Coat placement of togglesThe Cape Coat Stitching on the toggles

YOU HAVE MADE THE CAPE COAT

For another way to create The Cape Coat, see below our tutorial demonstrating how to make The Cape Coat from start to finish.