Fur Cape DIY

We recently surprised our girls with a trip to the ballet. We wanted to do something really nice for them, away from the mud pies and bike rides that our days usually consist of. To dress them up, curl their hair, and give them an occasion they might remember with their parents making them feel like the princesses they are.

Don’t get me wrong – none of these things are required for making a girl feel like a princess. In order to do that, simply LOVE THEM!!!

But my husband had this idea of wanting to bring them somewhere fancy, somewhere that they could feel extra special. I made special dresses for them, taking my time at the fabric store to find the perfect fabric that each child would love…coordinating without being too ‘matchy matchy’. Glitter and gold for one, and peach with metallics for the other. To complete the ensemble, I made matching fur capes and bought simple tiara crowns from Claire’s.

We curled our hair, painted our nails, and I even put the lightest tint of blush on their cheeks as we spent quality time getting ready together prior to the big event. The girl’s had NO IDEA where we were going, only that they were doing something truly special with both their parents. A date just for them.

Something they had seen their Mom doing over the years, as I got ready for dates with their father. Now it was their turn.

I believe it is important to have this time with you daughters and sons from time to time, to teach them how to not only behave in nice restaurants and on dates – but how they should be treated and treat others someday. Setting the ground work now, for what they should be looking for when they are older. A partner who will treat them with love, kindness, and respect.

Needless to say, the girls had a fabulous time. And while it was a bit difficult for our middle daughter to sit still at the nice restaurant, it remains an event to be cherished forever.

Here is how you can make a fur cape, for the fancy events in your life.

Fur cape DIY.

How to sew a fur cape

Skill level: Experienced beginner (has sewn on a machine, and can sew a buttonhole)

Time needed: 2 hours

MATERIALS:

1 yard faux fur
1 yard cotton lining
1 button
Coordinating thread
Heavy duty sewing needle
T shirt for pattern drafting
*Optional – Collar pattern
Basic sewing essentials

*You will also need a sew vac or some other heavy duty vacuum for clean up. When working with fur, it is a MESS. But the results are always worth it. And it is a lot easier to sew then you think, and fur covers up a lot of sewing flaws. Give it a try!

HOW TO:

Drafting the pattern

Step One – Lay your T-shirt on a piece of white paper, on the fold. Draw around the back neckline, and curve out around the arm. Stop the curve where you want the cape to end, and draw a slight curve back to the center back fold. Connect the neckline with the bottom with a nice straight line. This will be your ‘FOLD’ line on the back cape pattern piece.

Cut (1) Back pattern piece on the fold of the fur exterior, and the cotton lining.

Step Two – To draft the front cape pattern piece, copy your back pattern piece onto another piece of paper. Curve the front neckline down, and past the fold line. The curve the arc back towards the bottom center side seam.

Cut (2) Front pattern pieces of the fur exterior, and the cotton lining.

*Optional collar pattern – Use a collar pattern from a pattern your already have, or cut around an existing pattern to make you own pattern piece. I used the collar from the 5&10 Designs Volume 2 jacket eBook.

Cut (2) collars of the fur exterior.

Sewing the fur cape

Step One – Place the front and back right sides together, matching up the side seams. Pin side seams and sew. Repeat for lining.

Step Two – (Skip to step 4 for no collar) If sewing a collar, place collar pattern pieces right sides together and pin outer curved edge. Sew and turn right side out, pressing out all edges. Baste stitch inner curved raw edges together to help secure for next step.

Step Three – Line up the back center of the collar with the back center of the fur neckline. Pin in place and baste stitch to secure.

Step Four – Place lining and fur cape right sides together matching all seams. (If sewing a collar, make sure the collar is sandwiched in between). Pin around, leaving an 8″ opening along the bottom edge. Sew around.

Step Five – Turn right side out, and use your finger or a blunt pointed object to push out all edges. Pin opening closed and whipstitch.

Step Six – Mark where you want the button / buttonhole to go and sew.

And you are finished!