Circle Cloaks

I've always really liked cloaks, ever since I was little.  I got tired of the cheap cloaks that came with Halloween costumes, so I decided to make my own!  At the time I was playing an Elf Sorcerer in a D&D campaign at a library, so I decided to go with an elven theme for my first cloak.  The second one was also fantasy inspired, but I decided to go a lot brighter and lighter.  

My most recent cloak was embroidered by my mom!  I wanted more freedom for my arms and also pockets with that one.

All three of my cloaks are three quarter circles, with a half circle and two eighth circle panels.  I measure the length of the cloak (minus a circle for the neckline) onto the folded fabric, and then repeat for the other two pieces.  Then, I sew the side seams and lay the whole thing out so I can pin the hem.  Sewing the hem takes ages!  As does top stitching it, which I did with a decorative stitch on my summer cloak.  

I trace a hood that's the shape that I want onto both the lining and outer fabrics to get the hood right, and sew it with the machine onto the outer fabric.  On the lining though I hand sew it so I can hide the raw edges.

The last step is attaching the closures!  I went with a faux leather toggle for the green and copper cloak, a decorative hook and eye for the summer cloak, and another hook and eye for the embroidered one.

On my embroidered cloak, I didn't close the side seams all the way, and added pockets onto the front of the outer fabric before doing the hem.  Mom embroidered everything between the side seam step and the hem step!

For the summer cloak, I used my embroidery machine to do the design on the back, also between the side seam step and the hem step.

I'm super happy with how these turned out!  They've held up super well over the years, even though the green one was made in fifth grade.  They're really comfortable, and both the green one and the summer one featured in my music video (from the COVID lockdown) "Every DM (rolls the dice)", a parody of Every Rose Has Its Thorn by Poison!

I'm super proud of these, and I do plan on making more in the future!  Cloaks work surprisingly well for everyday wear!  I have plans for a red velvet one lined in white faux fur, with fox ears, inspired by Red Riding Hood.