Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Clothing and Other Crafts => Topic started by: prairie dog on February 10, 2019, 12:18:40 PM

Title: capote
Post by: prairie dog on February 10, 2019, 12:18:40 PM
Unsure where to put this, but I finally worked up the courage to cut my Hudson Bay 4 point blanket and a couple of coyote pelts to make a warm capote.
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Title: Re: capote
Post by: blackpowderbill on February 10, 2019, 12:32:28 PM
Looks Good! 
Title: Re: capote
Post by: Maven on February 10, 2019, 02:13:39 PM
You did well, pd! :bl th up
Title: Re: capote
Post by: Winter Hawk on February 11, 2019, 08:32:43 PM
Wow, you have more guts than I to cut up a Hudson Bay blanket!  Of course the only one in this house is one I bought for my Sweetie, and she would murder me if I took scissors to it!  :laffing :laffing :laffing

That does look nice.  Where did you get the pattern, if I may be so bold as to ask?

~Kees~
Title: Re: capote
Post by: Ohio Joe on February 11, 2019, 09:22:34 PM
It does look good. Well done Prairie Dog!  :bl th up That ought to keep you warm on a chilly night around the campfire.  :hairy
Title: Re: capote
Post by: Lonewolfe20 on February 11, 2019, 10:37:33 PM
I love that color
Great job! :hairy
Title: Re: capote
Post by: prairie dog on February 12, 2019, 10:43:47 AM
The blanket was a gift.  It had been used by a friend who "retired" from rendezvous years back.  I've slept on it for a few years myself.  I had this red capote made from a cheap imported blanket several years ago.  Nothing wrong with it at all.  My boys in the photo need capotes, the youngest has outgrown his and the taller son is wearing a borrowed capote. 

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The Hudson Bay blanket is thicker and warmer than my Whitney blankets and it had a couple of small stains as well.  Those were the deciding factors.  I purchased a Missouri River pattern but decided I didn't like the way the sleeves were attached on it.  I took the red capote apart and used it as the pattern.  The sleeve openings are cut round and more comfortably fitted. 

I've been told to tear the blanket instead of cutting it and the edges won't unravel.  Let me tell you, that blanket was spread out on the floor with the pattern laid out for quite some time. 
Finally, and after one pot of coffee I made the first snip and tore it.  As I had been told the blanket tore straight and easily.  All the straight edges I tore, and the curves I cut. 

When I had all the pieces torn and cut, I stitched the red capote back together with matching yarn using  a blanket stitch.  I used the cape from the red capote as the pattern for the coyote pelts.
The practice I got from putting the red capote back together really helped when I stitched up the Hudson Bay capote.  By tearing the blanket the only seams that need a blanket stitch to stop raveling are the hidden seams.  I'm glad I did it that way. 

So I now have a warmer capote to wear and one of my boys will get the red hand-me-down.
Title: Re: capote
Post by: Uncle Russ on February 13, 2019, 12:39:53 PM
Interesting how you did that.
I've never heard of "tearing" the blanket before.
But, this is how we learn.
Thanks for sharing this.

Russ...
Title: Re: capote
Post by: Winter Hawk on February 13, 2019, 04:51:48 PM
Yes, thank you, I learned a lot from that post.  Really appreciate your taking the time to describe what you did.

I seem to remember that the first Book of Buckskinning had a chapter on making a capote.  Silly me, I had the whole series except for one, then sold them a number of years ago.  Another move I could kick myself for!  :Doh!

~Kees~
Title: Re: capote
Post by: WonkoTheSane on February 19, 2019, 07:19:06 PM
 :hairy

You did a great job.  Looks good.  Thanks for the tip about tearing the blanket.
Title: Re: capote
Post by: Oldetexian on April 16, 2019, 09:48:45 PM
WOW! Cutting up a 4 point Hudson Bay takes guts...but the capote looks great. You took a big gamble and made it pay off. Nicely done, sir...
Title: Re: capote
Post by: Oldetexian on June 24, 2019, 05:20:45 PM
Thanks for the story and the pictures.The capote is beautiful. And I really enjoyed the narrative of how you made it. That was educational. for sure. I, too, have never heard of tearing rather than cutting, so another nugget of wisdom to file away.

I also had an inexpensive red capote much like yours. Now, I have a nice (much warmer) greatcoat and another pilgrim is enjoying my first capote.