Thursday, December 04, 2014

Elementary, My Dear Readers

While I had capes on the brain this past weekend, I also came across this cute little skirt in my refash stash.  If it had been a hair larger, and if I were **coughcough** years younger, I may have worn it as is. But alas, it did not fit my size or my age.

Sherlock CapeletSherlock Capelet

So I carefully picked out the button, zipper, waistband, and all the way down the center back seam.

Sherlock Capelet

The edges of the opened seam were re-hemmed.

Sherlock Capelet

Then I draped it over my dressform inside out and pinned my new shoulder seams.

Sherlock Capelet

Since I don't have a serger, I zig-zagged along the seam to keep the fabric from fraying.

Sherlock Capelet

Then I top-stitched for a nice, finished look.

Sherlock Capelet

I cut a rounded neckline in the back...

Sherlock Capelet

...and the front.

Sherlock Capelet

Then I made a collar pattern from an old paper bag and cut out my pieces from the leftover bits of black velvet blazer.

Sherlock Capelet

I cut the same shape from the velvet and the lining and sandwiched them together with right sides facing.

Sherlock Capelet

I only sewed around the outer edge though, then clipped the seam allowance to reduce the bulk when it gets turned right-side-out.

Sherlock Capelet

Like so.

Sherlock Capelet

To attach it, I pinned and sewed only the collar lining to the neck edge of the cape.

Sherlock Capelet

Then I tuck the raw edge into the collar and folded the velvet toward the inside of the cape. Then I zig-zagged again to prevent fraying and trimmed as close to the stitches as possible.

Sherlock Capelet

Now all my cape needs is a closure. I snipped the ends off the waistband I salvaged from the skirt.

Sherlock Capelet

I folded the edges to the inside and stitched them up.

Sherlock Capelet

And finally, I sewed each tab to the front edges of my cape, just below the collar.

Sherlock Capelet

It's the perfect extra layer for those cool-but-not-cold days.

Sherlock Capelet - AfterSherlock Capelet - After



Sherlock Capelet - Before & After

13 comments:

  1. Oh Carissa ---- how cute this cape is. Those pleats are so attractive.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! I like the pleats much better as the back of a cape than the front of a skirt!

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  2. Nice and funny ! I like it !

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  3. Hi Carissa!
    That is so cute! :D
    Those back pleats are so pretty! Well done!
    kisses from Portugal!

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  4. you are a refashion genious Carissa!

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    Replies
    1. I don't know about that, but I have my moments. :)

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  5. Lovely. It almost makes me want to live in a chilly country again ;p

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    Replies
    1. Indeed! I wish I had more cause to wear it, but it's a bit warm here too.

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    ReplyDelete