Introduction: Mix & Match Cloak Types

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I had made a red cloak awhile back, and recently decided to make a black one because I liked it so much. It was a little difficult, as I made it with a circular tablecloth from goodwill (instead of a bedsheet). Because I didn't want the black cloak to be too short in the back, I was forced to have it shorter in the front (I actually really like the style). After finishing and looking over my red cloak, I realized I could mix the different styles and get up to 4 different cloaks in the end:

  • full length cloak with hood
  • long in back, short in front cloak with hood
  • full length cloak without hood
  • long in back, short in front cloak without hood


Supplies

  • fabric (circular tablecloths work really well as they're already hemmed, but make sure it's big enough if choosing the regular cloak style)
  • tape measure
  • fabric scissors
  • straight pins
  • sewing machine and thread

Step 1: Cloak Base (regular)

This cloak's bottom edge will be the same length all the way around.

  1. measure and cut fabric - the straight edge divided in half should equal the distance from the middle of the straight edge to the bottom middle of the curve (if using a circular tablecloth for this type of cloak, fold it in half and check the measurements)
  2. cut-out neck hole (ONLY FOR HOODLESS!) - measure distance from neck wanted and then arc between points on each shoulder and behind neck (make longer for pleats)
  3. fold in and hem - all the way around for with a hood, all but neck cut-out for hoodless

Step 2: Cloak Base (short in Front, Long in Back)

This cloak's bottom edge will be shorter in the front and longer in the back.

  1. cut a circle (or use a tablecloth)
  2. fold circle where desired front will be and cut - midpoint of desired straight edge to the bottom middle of the curve will be approximately from the middle of the neck down.
  3. cut-out neck hole (ONLY FOR HOODLESS!) - measure distance from neck wanted and then arc between points on each shoulder and behind neck (make longer for pleats)
  4. fold in and hem - all the way around for with a hood, all but neck cut-out for hoodless

Step 3: Ribbons/ Ties

This step can be substituted by a button and buttonhole, but I am really bad at buttonholes, so I just did ribbons. If substituted, make sure to save this step until after the hood or finished neck hole (make the neck hole trim long enough to button then).

  1. cut 2 long strips of fabric - the wider the easier to turn inside-out (mine are 4in wide)
  2. fold in half with the outside in and sew (see example 1)
  3. turn rightside-in
  4. straight-stitch around entire ribbon for effect (see example 2)
  5. save ribbons for later

Step 4: Hood

This hood is only one-sided, so the middle seam of the hood will be seen when the hood is not on one's head. (see below for double-sided)

  1. measure, fold, and cut (make longer for pleats) - measure loosely from top of head to shoulder and around wide part of head (by ears), add 1-3in if desired
  2. sew top of hood together
  3. fold and hem around face
  4. place outsides of cloak and hood facing each other and pin the middle of both together
  5. pleat cloak or hood and pin for fanciful effect if desired (only pleat the hood if there is extra room)
  6. pin ribbons on
  7. sew together in one straight stitch

(To make the hood double-sided, do steps 1 and 2 to two separate hoods, and then sew them together (while the good sides face each other) at the part that will frame the face, turn rightside-in, and pick up at step 4.)

Step 5: Hoodless/ Neck Trim

Don't forget the curved neck hole before this step.

  1. cut fabric strip length of (or shorter for pleats) neck-hole and of desired width doubled, plus extra for hemming
  2. hem fabric strip on longer edges beforehand, or turn-in before sewing
  3. pleat cloak for fanciful effect until cloak is same length as fabric strip, excluding slight extra on fabric strip for hemming, and pin together
  4. sew along long edge (make sure to catch both sides of the folded fabric strip)
  5. slide ribbons in short edge, turn in extra bit for hemming, and pin
  6. sew short edges

Step 6: Photos