The Cape Blazer – Iconic Patterns

A few weeks back I attended the Links, Incorporated “Red Dress Event”. As February is all about Heart Awareness, my Link sisters know how to do it right. Well over 700 women attended, so you know their game was on point. Lots of good healthy heart facts, including the usual statics:

Heart disease is the number killer of women…Imma leave that one right there because I don’t need to go further. There was also revealing conversation about the key importance of mental, emotional and spiritual well being. Finally, there was also a dress requirement and of course it was to wear a Red Dress. This was slightly problematic because I don’t own one. Sooo…of course I had to sew something up.

I posted a poll in my last blog post (The Red Dress Project) and asked for feed back. Thanks to everyone who voted! I love the sewing community because it’s so full of love, wisdom and great feedback. Well those results got me thinking to push myself out of the comfort zone where I like to hangout sometimes and I decided to make a red suit. And that led me to make Iconic Patterns “Cape Blazer”.

I have to say I love this pattern. It is beautifully drafted, but it is no joke. It required a test run before I cut into that gorgeous red crepe, so my first attempt is this black version, also a crepe.

Seam allowances are included and you have the option to print from either a desktop or the large format A4 size, which is what I did. I don’t have the patience for taping together 50 pieces of paper.

But I’m here to tell you…this is NOT for the novice sewer. It’s posted right there on the homepage of the website, “sewing patterns for a discerning seamstress” code for, “you need to know how to sew because there will be no hand holding here”.

There are straight forward instructions, like “bag the lining”, “use the jig method for the pocket welts.” Scratches head. I can bag a lining with the best of them, but thank God for Dr. Google, PhD, and the internets because they were my friend. I figured out the jig method which is a simplified double welt pocket construction. You can see a how-to on my instastories – sewing tips.

I encountered one construction sticking point, so I slid right into their DM and they slid right back with a few photos to show me how. Yaasss to all that customer service!

This is the working muslin in a black crepe from G Street Fabrics and lined with bemberg. The final version is in a red crepe paired with bag-waist pants in the ever popular McCalls 7726. Can I just say I feel like there are super powers that go along with this cape. I love the results and I’ve worn this with jeans, a dress and it’s now an anchor in my wardrobe.