I have joined the cult, the American Duchess Cape cult!

Since the first moment of seeing the free American Duchess Cape pattern, I have had a mighty need to make my own. The pattern is still available for free on their website.

The problem is that I am not an accomplished seamstress, and this pattern had to be drafted from a pdf pattern onto pattern paper and would certainly require a mockup (or two), fittings, and final construction.

I saved a copy of the pattern and waited…. and waited… and yearned.

Early in 2022, I was commissioned by a friend to knit some toys for her son and I took the opportunity to use that commission money to purchase wool for my cape. I decided that if I was going to make this once in a lifetime cape, then I was going to do it right, and use high quality materials.

I proceeded to the holy online edifice of Burnley and Trowbridge and selected Dark Rose Fine Wool Broadcloth for the outer layer, and Goldenrod Lightweight Woolen “Stuff” for my lining.

Finally it was time to begin!

I started by drafting pattern pieces on 1″x1″ pattern fabric using the pdf graph. Then I cut out mockup pieces using scrap cotton material from my fabric stash.

There was some gapping along the neckline so I created darts and after checking fit, marked them on the pattern pieces. Now it was time to cut the wool!

I work on the lining first and used backstitch for all seams. Honestly probably a bit of overkill but I enjoyed the mindfulness of the stitching and I could be quite sure that the seams would be strong. the long pleats on the front pieces took quite a long time. I used silk sewing thread also from Burnley and Trowbridge and conditioned each strand with beeswax before stitching.

I then worked on the outer layer and collar. And once they were done I stitched them together and turned right side out. Voila!

Overall this was an utterly delightful, super satisfying project and I’m so proud of my finished cape and my increased comfort with hand sewing.

Naturally I finished the cape in May, just as temperatures became too warm to wear the cape outside even just for pictures. So….. six months later it was time to don said cape, and my American Duchess Londoners, and head out to the woods to attempt to capture the loveliness 🙂