And so, I sew: June 2013

Facebook is a dangerous thing.

Last year Rathdowne Fabrics and Remnants posted a pic of several gorgeous wool fabrics they had just put into stock, I promptly bought two of them and have finally completed a garment using one.

It's the Style Arc Clover Cape.

See the little spots on the buttons, totally a coincidence of course!

This fabric 'spoke' to me as soon as I saw it - even though blue and brown tones together are not something I would have said I love.

Last winter I cut the cape and lining out and had only sewn up the collar stand and the pocket flaps before the weather changed, and so I put it away...

Double breasted and lined with some fabric I bought from Tessuti a while ago

As the weather recently turned cold again I dug it out and took it to Sewjourn a few weeks ago where I finished it off.

It is super warm and oh so comfortable to wear.
I love the arm slits as it gives you the freedom to move around in a way that other capes, which are secured under the arms, don't.
It also allows you to slip a bag onto your shoulder underneath it which I find really handy.

The arm slit is on the left then the pocket is concealed behind this flap

The wool was lovely to sew with and I was able to get the seams all nice and flat using my much-loved steam iron.
The top-stitching foot on my machine made it easy to get the lines all nice and even.

What mum doesn't need pockets!!

As this was quite thick with multiple layers in places, I left my Bernina dual feed on for pretty much all of it and the fabric just cruised through - no issues at all, not even when doing the buttonholes.

A less than wonderful shot I know!!

I will get many years of use from this cape and possibly get to making another one for me as it's such a comfortable and versatile garment to wear.
I just throw it over whatever I have on and head out into the cold.
To say I love it would be an understatement!

Updated to add some 'modelled' pics.
These are taken from a funny angle as my photographer is quite short!