Capotes!

[Rifleman1776]

Not a complex sewing job compared to many. But, still, I wouldn't reccomend an inexperienced person learning on an expensive HB blanket. Some folks can make misteaks. :wink:
But, I'll agree it is doable. I made a child sized capote for my daughter when she was seven years old for her first ronny. I used inexpensive commercial blanket material from Wal-Mart. And, if'n I can say so myself, it turned out just fine. :grin:

 

[tenngun]

Maybe try some cheap cloth and try a few styles. We like to by stuff of the rack.... Riflemans shirts with fringe one each. Back then? Things were made for the buyer. Capotes often seem to be a one season thing, a make do as opposed to a well made great coat.

 

[nwtradegun]

it is called fulling the blanket.

 

[KLWeaver]

We have some pretty chilly nights here in Ohio, so I probably wouldn't go to a vous without a Capote.

 

[Black Hand]

Please make a style that is appropriate for your time and place. Avoid the boxy, fringed "reservation" style with the elf hood that is seen all too frequently...

 

[tenngun]

:thumbsup: Yup a heavy wool coat is great in cold weather, hoods make them warmer, a more tayloered style time correct coat is warmer still then the loose boxy bathrobe style reservation capote.

 

[KLWeaver]

Is that not period appropriate? I feel like I've never seen a capote without a hood like that. And most patterns call for that type of hood.

 

[Cruzatte]

I am using the Kannick pattern for the capote.

I just looked at a site called Kannik's Korner. Are you referring to these folks? I couldn't find their capote pattern.

So I was wondering about these folks. Northwest Traders And these folks for a French look. Patterns of Time

 

[KLWeaver]

It's a capote pattern my mother had had for probably twenty years and I just found it while recently cleaning her sewing room. I will have to double check but I could have sworn it was Kannick.

 

[Black Hand]

Is that not period appropriate? I feel like I've never seen a capote without a hood like that. And most patterns call for that type of hood.

Not for before the 1860s or so...
See http://frenchinwisconsin.com/2012/09/a-new-capot-coming-soon/ for more appropriate styling.

 

[tenngun]

Northwest traders offers a mix of capote patterns, not all patterns are aproprate for all times. Thier line of caped coats may not go back in time to a particular period. Caped coats were known and capotes were known. Did someone put a cape on a capote? We don't see that, so I would not do one myself.

 

[Black Hand]

A great-coat might be a good choice.

 

[KLWeaver]

Several of those painting has hoods on the capotes but more rounded than traditionally seen. I like the look of the rounded hood versus the point one.

 

[CrackStock]

Is that not period appropriate? I feel like I've never seen a capote without a hood like that. And most patterns call for that type of hood.

My pattern was the Northwest Traders Classic Pattern. I think it was from Crazy Crow who are good people - see them every year at Dixon's and Horner events.

The hood and cape are optional. I can see doing it either way, but did the collar rather than full cape on the final version as I view it as more correct. Counter point - there is a cape on one HB version and it is quite a bit warmer.

I button the hood on when desired as previously discussed.

The measurements and final tailoring take quite a bit of thought and you will still get confused. Do not be afraid to use a seam ripper and tighten, loosen or turn inside out as needed. Just part of the process.

I again suggest using an old military blanket for your trial run. I have 2 in US Army green and 2 more in some other military blue blanket. Each time, there were significant improvements. The kids liked the US Army ones for Halloween and other play. I use the blue ones for hunting and rough work outdoors.

The final HB blankets are all the better for the learning in making the early mistakes.

Good luck!

 

[Black Hand]

For whatever it's worth - keep the blankets and buy some heavy wool or duffle to make the coat.

 

[tenngun]

Some sort of heavy wool cloth seems to have been most common for capotes, duffle, blanketing, and a very fuzzy cloth called bear skin. We see lots of paintings of striped blankets, mostly white with blue stripes. A multi stripe capote that looks commercial made shows up in a painting I think of Fort Union. I don't know if a striped blanketing was made or not.

 

[KLWeaver]

Thanks so much for the great info!! I love the idea of buttoning on a hood when needed! I will definitely not be using a HB blanket until I've gotten the pattern down a few times.

The army surplus store here has wool blankets (thinner) for only $20 and it seems like a good place to start to me. That way I won't feel too horrible if I mess it up the first time ha ha.

 

[CrackStock]

Thanks so much for the great info!! I love the idea of buttoning on a hood when needed! I will definitely not be using a HB blanket until I've gotten the pattern down a few times.

The army surplus store here has wool blankets (thinner) for only $20 and it seems like a good place to start to me. That way I won't feel too horrible if I mess it up the first time ha ha.

Not a mess up - just part of the learning process!

 

[KLWeaver]

That's true, always gotta look at the positive side.

 

[Goldhunter]

Mine is based on a coat pattern, I think it started as a JP Ryan Frock Coat pattern. It's a lot more fitted than most of the "standard" capote patterns out there. I added a hood and extended the front to overlap. It's made from some fulled Melton. The finished coat has wool ribbon on the edges and I shortened the cuffs. Anyway, it's another way to do it.





Not a great picture but you may be able to see the edging better.