Comfortable 1890s: A Coat for Lazy Days (but you still wanna look cute!)

Hello everyone and welcome to a new video!
This project was prompted by a peak potato day. I had some materials in my stash, I found a pattern, I had a couple of days off over the holidays and a dream: a coat that could convert from being loose for potato days, to fitted for more effort days, to historybounding and historical clothing. And so I give you... the 1890s cape coat thing!
I used a pattern from La Mode Illustree, circa 1895, digitised by Repeated Originals (www.etsy.com/uk/listing/12037.... This pattern is one-size, has no seam allowances, and very minimal instructions - just like the originals in 19th century magazines! I found the pattern was fairly straightforward with some mysteries to resolve. I don't mean to say this is 100% how this coat is meant to be assembled - but it's definitely an option that worked out well! I used three meters of a peach wool blend, 3 meters of a mystery synthetic sand colour lining, about a meter of fusible canvas, and under a quarter of a meter of horsehair canvas, as well as a few meters of velvet trim. I also added a belt to the coat which is removable, so can be worn with or without, and I think it worked out great!
Overall, I'm very pleased with this project. The result is a warm and comfortable coat... cape... thing, that is versatile while still elegant and full allows for potato and dress-up days. I'm looking forward to wearing it more!
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[@aksez2u]

You didn't know your fabric was fusible until you ironed it? Well, I guess it was meant to be, because you COULD have put it on there upside down and fused it to your iron instead! The cape coat turned out lovely!

[@shelleymonson8750]

The Metropolitan Museum has a cape that looks like it was made from this pattern - it’s described only as “Cape | American | 1890s”. It’s in a small scale plaid, tan and brown, with a tan,orange and brown back side of the fabric. Since the pattern says the wool is reversible, this show what that would look like. (I have the pattern myself, and just bought some lovely wool in a black and grey plaid to make it.). This turned out very nice! I like the velvet ribbon trim.

[@CatsCostumery]

Oh my gosh it’s so similar!! It definitely gives another option for the front view too haha the perils of having a pattern without a front view illustration

[@darkeyedfran]

Finally catching up on your videos! I had an autoimmune flare up with my skin condition and couldn’t sew for about 9 months (I don’t own a sewing machine). So sewing content made me too sad to consume. I’m back to sewing though!!!! Busting out some projects and catching up with my KZbin friends again. I love the way this turned out. It’s beautiful

[@tealduckduckgoose]

It looks so cosy and cute! I love the little embellishments you used, and the discussion of interfacing and reinforcement was very interesting.

[@isabellaferretti7279]

Your sleeve-caped coat is so cute! Will look so cheery and cozy on a dull winter day. Totally inspired! Quite brave to buy a pattern that does not show the front view, love Repeated Originals patterns but not got round to buying one yet.

[@KenZchameleon]

That trim! Elevates it 1000%. Just beautiful. Well done! (again!!)

[@WindspielArt]

what a cute coat! love that it is versatile in its fit and it looks like a cape. One thing more for my "want to sew list" xD. That pattern looks quite easy to make larger too hmmm...

[@becauseimafan]

Same, to everything! It's super cute, and they look so good in it too! We love versatility ❤🤩 Definitely adding to my To Sew list - though I'm still a beginner so it'll be a while. Proud of myself though, I was able to name each of the stitches they showed! 😎 You saying it could be easy to make the pattern larger, that gives me hope that it could fit me too 😁 (when I get nearer that skill level)

[@michelleblount1336]

Sausage and potato days 😂 this was great thanks for sharing. ❤

[@Siansonea]

This turned out wonderful, great job. I thought you were going to make slits at the sides at the waist, so that the belt could fit the front of the coat to the body, but leave the back free flowing. I think that would serve the dual benefit of hiding the back belt closure and add a bit more movement as it's worn.

[@CatsCostumery]

That’s a great idea!

[@susanfisher606]

That would also allow that beautiful belt buckle to show!

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

Potato days.... yeah... I'm having one of those myelf. Maybe one I get the stuff first on my list done, I'll see what's in my stash for something like this! I've already been contemplating how to add capelets to some of my outer wear to keep my not waterproof winter coat from getting soaked when I'm outside working in wet snowy weather. The challenge with my work jacket will be integrating some high-vis elements into it, but I did wind up with several spare safety vests, some of which are entirely held together with velcro... ooh ideas... "If they had it, they would have used it" is our attitude about using modern tools in the armour shop where we make medieval style armour. We also don't have a cadre of apprentices to take care of the jobs that an electric sander or grinder can take care of. Those velvet details really make it look finished, how to be an extremely stylish potato!!!

[@katecapek3116]

I have several capes. When I have multiple layers/heavy sweaters, they are just easier (and I live in the Chicago suburbs where sweaters are needful).

[@gleann_cuilinn]

I think the loose unfitted coats are elegant in their own way just as much as the fitted coats. From the 1890s mantles to the 1950s swing coats.

[@FantasticalFolliesCostuming]

For those in the States that don't want to muck about with intl. shipping, Renaissance Fabrics does the same thing as Fabulosew, although I think they might use standard paper and not tissue.

[@armedvsokord]

I should make one of these in a light weight wool. My current coat is much too heavy for the mild winter we more have and this would make a nice alternative.

[@blossompetal784]

Just gorgeous!

[@victoriavidaud]

It’s lovely ❤ I think personally I would just prefer to have the cape be the entire length around, rather than stopping at the sleeves and showing the back, which I guess means that this could be made simpler.. maybe.. lol. But I love love love the color scheme you have and the look of this, definitely need to try something similar. I feel like I’m steadily replacing all my coats with cape’s and I’m not unhappy with it lol

[@feed8647]

What a beautiful coat! Although I could never cope with not having long, somewhat fitted sleeves that protect my arms from the cold winds.

[@jennglow4647]

Very pretty 😀

[@grimnirnacht]

It turned out so nice 😍

[@lucyannethrope7569]

Beautiful! It is allways a joy to watch you work. 😍

[@HockityPock]

I'm procrastinating on my own 90% handsewing project right now, so " hours of handsewing to soothe my heart" is a completely foreign mood! XD

[@karinkeeble1993]

Well done

[@canucknancy4257]

Wonderfully charming!

[@coreygilles847]

Potato says…the perfect title for those days! I am now adopting that title 🎉

[@ushere5791]

lovely!! the belt makes it!!

[@asiabryant207]

I love this new cape/coat though for some reason I thought you had several capes already. Though I always love adding a new one to the world #cloaklife #bringcapesback

[@AnniCarlsson]

Yeah also a cape with those red stripes on beige base fabric

[@eveschwingel4260]

Very casually elegant, yet still very practical! I like it very much.

[@DAYBROK3]

i think we need more cape-y swingy coats

[@mjdc2533]

Great pattern find. What a great idea. Once again you have inspired me.

[@Auntie7024]

Your cape coat turned out wonderful. Thank you for taking us through your thought process on how to make it. I really enjoyed this video. ❤😊

[@BethAge95]

This turned out so beautiful! Great work!

[@bohemiansusan2897]

Looks nice and quite cute. Its always a lot of fun to share tje results of one's project. Thanks for sharing. I would have gone with the coordinating buttons as it would tie in the coat and trim. Also would have hand stitch a small bit of lining on the pocket flap.

[@kateatschool]

Lovely! I really like the trim. Also like the mid length. Hope you enjoy it!

[@nonakabyrd5759]

Absolutely Gorgeous ❤

[@MichelleSMV]

Gorgeous work! The cape looks so great and lovely to wear. I love Repeated Originals tbh lol. And thanks for the info re pattern printing! I’ve been wanting to print some patterns but the printer paper and taping together is so cumbersome!

[@lilykatmoon4508]

I absolutely love this coat! I live in SE Texas where it’s very hot most of the year. The cooler days we get don’t usually necessitate a heavy coat. So, I’m thinking that something like this would be perfect bill definitely check out the sites you suggested for the pattern, etc. I’m almost finished with the underpinnings of an 1890s outfit. I hope to finish the rest of the outfit this year. The trim you chose is lovely and really adds a touch of elegance to the outfit!

[@ThePixiixiq]

Stunning!

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

Wow that's stunning! Definitely a perfect piece to add to your wardrobe!

[@conniesbookshelf]

the coat came out so beautifully! it looks so lovely on you! 🥰

[@cryingeyeslove]

Omg I love you!!! I'm so happy!!! This is so beautiful!!!❤

[@lesliesgarden6798]

Very pretty! Well done! ✨✨✨

[@cynthiadugan858]

Cute❤

[@samanthagirly3350]

Very pretty!!

[@roadrunnercrazy]

Very pretty!

[@EamaneEarane]

Beautiful! For the belt though, why not do the D ring fastening "backwards"? So the end of the strap sits on the inside rather than outside of the belt. That way no part of the belt seam would show nor would it show how much you've fastened or loosened it.

[@CatsCostumery]

Hadn’t even thought I could do that 😂

[@annevieira5270]

Love your sewing I think this cape looks like a Dolman. The back of the cape must be attached to the coat, like some sleeve. But maybe I am wrong

[@Braz3nRav1n]

I love this project but didn't see the pocket on the final reveal. Did I miss that part of the video because I had to break up a fight between my grandkids? I saw where they were sewn on but not where they fell under the cape/sleeve on the body.

[@CatsCostumery]

I didn’t show it off properly in the videos but the pockets are definitely on ☺️

[@pearanerd]

I love it! A thought on the belt... you can put the tab in the D-rings from the outside of the belt so the extra bit is hidden instead of having the inner seam showing. But even if you don't, that is a great customizing detail.

[@soozlillend]

hello! I was looking for the fabulous sew? printing people and couldn't find the link, maybe i'm blind? :D please share with us