Working with dress-making dummy - cape experiment

[secretsheik]

I've had gobs and gobs of red velvet that I got (like seriously almost 6 yards for $10) and had absolutely nothing to do with, so I thought that for winter, instead of trodding around in my wonderful but terrible-looking trenchcoat, I would go out on the street with some style (and of course warmth). I'm not yet done with this thing (still got a ton of hemming to do) but so far so good. My sewing machine has difficulty doing fabrics that get thick (and boy was this getting thick fast) so I've had to do the whole thing by hand. Even just doubling up the velvet strained my sensitive machine. Luckily I've done it this way ages before I ever got my own machine, so I'm not bothered by the idea. One thing I didn't hesitate much to invest in was a dress-making dummy, which I lucked out on one rather fortunate black Friday. Anyway, you probably want to see the darn thing. I'll be doing decorative flaps on the side and back, but here is the front so far, please ignore the bad lighting:

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[Rosencrantz]

Now that's a cool idea.

[secretsheik]

Thank you! I just want to be warm this year, jeans aren't good enough for a South Dakota winter, honestly. Still, thicker pants aren't good either once you get indoors, so this is a fair solution, I think. Here are some more views (and please ignore my sorting pile in the background, I've been in a cleaning frenzy and it's late now):

Half turn:
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3/4 turn:
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Back side (and my pins!):
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You know, I just realized I've never made a cape before... I hope this turns out alright.

[kaoskat]

That looks really awesome!

[lovesbabysquirmy]

That looks amazingly warm and classy!

[secretsheik]

Thank you! I know it'll be warm, it's thick velvet and then a double layer of thick cotton weave over that. The tie is thick golden crafting cord braided and then gathered under the top layer. I'm debating whether to make a hood or not. I would kinda like one, hmm...

[melodys_angel]

How cool!

Love how its looking soo far

[Eviecorn]

Looking great so far!  What a neat idea.

[secretsheik]

Thank you, I'm almost done, it just needs the hem and possibly a hood. Do you think I should post tutorials on how to use dress forms? I wonder if anyone would benefit from that, but then a lot of people are very crafty on here!

[karrie91]

I'm pretty jealous right now...

I'd love to have a cape but I get teased enough as it is to walk into work wearing one lol. It's bad enough I have my yellow pea coat. I have an obsession with the color yellow... lol

[secretsheik]

Yeah, the people I work with wouldn't give a darn. Heck, they would probably love it! Hehe, we should make you a yellow cape!

[partypony566]

Fantastic! Nice work

[LeighAnnApanites]

That's so cool. It definitely looks warm and cozy, and I vote for a hood. Warm ears = good! Personally, I would love to see some kind of tutorial for how to use a dress form. I don't have one, but I want one. I'm super short and dumpy so storebought clothes never fit and I've decided the only way to have a decent wardrobe is to make it myself. Thanks for sharing!

[wiccanpony1]

OMG i want a cape now:) I cant wait to see it finished x