#twigandtale

24 Jan 2025 - cut the fabric (I did not pre-wash, which was a mistake!)

31 Jan - learned how to sew the cargo pocket

2 Feb - started sewing the jacket exterior

5 Feb - sewed the jacket lining to the exterior

Pause to decide what kind of closure to use. Decided on Canadian Buttons. Ordered buttons and buttonhole foot.

Received buttons.

24 Feb - Received automatic buttonhole foot, started practising sewing buttonholes.

25 Feb - Sewed buttons and buttonholes!

26 Feb - Washed the jacket. Oh no, it shrank!!

Also noticed that some seams came undone in the wash. Hand-sewed with very visible stitching. Also hand-stitched the turning hole that's inside the jacket lining. This was meant to be temporary, but...

✨ Procrastinated ✨

6 Apr - Unpicked the sleeves to lengthen them. Tacked the cuffs. The folds from the original hems don't want to iron out.

Spring - moved to a new place

Summer? - Sewed the bottom turning hole closed (used a matching thread in the needle and contrasting in the bobbin, so I can easily see it for unpicking later).

September - Wore it for the first time for real (outdoors, in public while doing errands)!

I really love when someone compliments my jacket, and then I get to open it up and say, "Thanks, IT'S FULL OF SHEEP!"

This winter/spring, I sewed the Traveller Cape by Twig+Tale.

I used the hood from the Animal Add-On to learn how to make a 4-piece hood; and made ears based on the stuffed animal pattern Booper The Cat by Fluffmonger. (You may have seen this hood before.)

Size: Adult Medium, Shrug length (15")

Closure: hook and bar clasp on the inside of the cape.

The shrug length sits at about my elbows, and I thought this would be nice. But I often find myself wishing it were just a little longer: my upper arms often feel cold and the billowyness of the cape doesn't keep them warm.

I also find the hood quite large for me--and not in the fun way. The way it naturally falls covers my eyes. So I'll have to figure out how to modify the pattern to fit me better.

(I am 5'3"ish. My partner, who is 6'5", tried the hood on, and it comes down over his eyes too!)

The exterior is a wool-blend coating, and the lining is a discount cotton-polyester percale sheeting. This lining isn't as cosy as self-drafted circle cape where I use the most delicious brushed knit. But I really love the colour combination.

The front opening of the cape is flush--there's no overlap. I think this style is useful for letting my arms out in front. But that hinge movement means the clasp comes undone very easily.

I might try replacing it with a closure that needs to be pressed open (like a spring gate to grab the bar). Or I may use a fabric loop button. But I think my main issue is that there's no overlap in front, because that lets out too much heat for me personally.

Changes I'd make next time:

Choose a longer length

Adjust the hood pattern for better fit

Extend front pieces to create overlap

Add a front facing

Buttonhole buttons

Armhole slits

Stand collar