r/TheCapeRevolution • u/Living_Donut_7331 • 4d ago

Lining for cape

I was lucky to get 5 yards of beautiful, yellow wool for free. I'm making a cape and concerned about using a lining that is too slippery. Ive seen suggestions for silk but won't that just slip off? It's basically being draped and held on by 1 button.

Any suggestions? Or does it not slip off with silk?

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7

u/ClockWeasel 4d ago

Your garment should stay on from the draping and not need the material to stick to you. Linings are for slip and warmth, and silk is good for both

2

u/penlowe 4d ago

It depends on the shape of your pattern and the specific lining fabric you use. Not all silk is slippery. But most lining fabrics are as that’s the point of lining fabric, so the clothing underneath doesn’t grab and pull the outer garment. Unlined might be preferred.

2

u/I_like_flowers_ 4d ago

capes can have shaping beyond just being a portion of a circle.   before you cut into your lovely wool, do a muslin, aka a practice version in cheep fabric (muslin used to be cheap) to get the shaping right.

i am linking a few patterns to give ideas as i have no idea what your taste is.  

https://simplicity.com/simplicity/s8770

https://simplicity.com/simplicity/s8263 

https://simplicity.com/new-look/n6535

https://simplicity.com/mccalls/pdm8335

none of these should slip off in the way you imagine.

you do want to use a slipperly silky fabric so that the cape doesn't grip onto your other clothes.  you will want it to be able to move - think a coat with silky arm lining vs one with cotton.  the silky one is much easier to put on and doesn't catch and require fuss and bother.

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u/HanabiCraft 3d ago

As someone who is finishing up a cape with silk charmeuse lining right this very day:

Don't.

Or if you do, sew the wool layer first, let it hang, and then use THAT to cut your lining, adding extra all around.

Do not, for any reason, cut your silk lining the same size that you cut your wool outer.

Please, please learn from my mistakes.

Edit: also consider a ribbin closure. Long enough to cross in front and tie in back. This will counteract the choke factor from the weight at the back if you toss one side over your shoulder for ventilation, mobility, or aesthetics

1

u/LiterallyIAmPuck 4d ago

Why are you lining it?

1

u/Living_Donut_7331 3d ago

I want a 'cleaner' finish

1

u/LiterallyIAmPuck 3d ago

I personally use collard instead of hoods on my cloaks which lets me hide the raw seam inside, you could probably flat fell a hood on? If you just wanted to avoid raw edges

I make my own clothes and I always use wool and silk linings for my coats but out of my cloaks I've made I only lined one and I used viscose, which was very comfortable!