Let’s Get Crafting!

really

fucking

good

First buy one of those really cheap Halloween cloaks(the velvety looking ones with 3 body pieces), I got one at Goodwill for like 3 bucks.This will be your pattern for those like me who are numbers and spatially challenged, just add more or less fabric as needed. And if you are lucky enough to have a Joann’s nearby, get on their coupon list so and take full advantage of their sales!!

Next is deciding on a fabric, this can vary depending on the season and event. For example you could have a light cotton for summer, a gauzy organza for drama, and a heavy black velvet for the unfortunate murder of your wealthy new husband. For those more budget limited you can buy some sheets and blankets to use as raw material, and it will look just as good. In this case having the cheap cloak along will help you decide how much to buy.

Now just grab the cloak and draw over it/pin it on your fabric of choosing. Use the cut out fabric as the template for the next two pieces. For the Cloak I’m talking about it has the 2 shoulder pieces and the back. One shoulder piece is a Reflection of the other, while the back is basically just a doubled shoulder piece. So you have Piece A, Piece B(which is actually piece A reversed), and Piece C (which is just double A or B). To accomplish C just fold over the fabric and trace over A.

When sewing use a thread that matches the color or complements it(like a silver thread on blue fabric) that way if it does show, they’ll think its for the Aesthetic and not because you were up all night hand sewing a cloak and lost all your fucks to give so you could finish it . Also match the weight of the thread with your usage/fabric. For heavier cloaks use a heavier thread, for lighter cloaks use an all purpose. I have tots who like to reenact Chandelier so I get the Heavy duty.

 As for a Bitchin Winter Cloak, The ones I make are two layers,the outer a sweater type fabric, and the inside a soft “fur,”and it is the envy of all who see it. Now heres how to make it.

For two layers I advise sewing the pieces together by section before joining. As in Piece A and 2a should be sewed together before joining with Piece C. And like before use the initial piece to act as a template for the next, so Piece A will work for piece A, B, C and 2A, but you want B to act as the template for 2B and likewise for C. You want to sew the pieces together with the faces together(fur on sweater) until you have a small gap(4 fingers minimum) and then you pull it inside out(so the fur is now on the outside) and then close the gap. For Joining the sections you’ll have 2 “seams” for stability. Join the inner sections(The fur edges) and then the outer sections(Sweater edges). Finally add the hood, it can be centered or have it closer to one side. For you advanced learners, Make one side(A or B) larger and that will give you a larger flap that will cover you more.

Finally the fastenings. You can get cloak pins or you can even sew on some aesthetic purse/bag closers. I use buttons, large heavy plastic ones or metal ones(I got mine from goodwill). For the lighter cloaks you can use ribbons, but be careful of the quality and placing as they can chafe. You can also use paracord. Hell if you have the tools(or just the ingenuity) you can make eyelets and thread through like a corset. As for attachment, there are various ways. For Ribbons and paracord, I sew them into the pieces by the hood area. This can be done using a channel(Including a loop in the fabric to thread one long piece of ribbon or whatever) or by making  2 pieces and sewing them into the two side pieces. 

This year, I want you to be unapologetic when you create.

Don’t apologize for your writing, drawing, music, designs, films, sculptures, cosplays, knitting, sewing, cooking, and anything else I might’ve missed.

Don’t apologize for the quality.

Stop being afraid of what you can accomplish. You might think you can do so much better, well guess what? You will. You’re always improving. But if you start to apologize for the best you can do at this moment, then you might restrain yourself, stop yourself from taking risks that will help you.

I know this is a hard thing to stop. I do it all the time. When I submit art to people that I’m not so confident about, I’ll apologize in advance.