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is a cloak. I want a cloak. I'm thinking something along the lines of the cloaks the fellowship got from Lothlorien, but I'd settle for something more high class. It needs to have a hood and be able to cover me completely.
And I'm not just spouting off here. Does anyone know where I could conceivably find one (for cheap)? Or where I could find a sewing pattern for one?
Posts: 2827 | Registered: Jul 2005
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quote:Can you get any more high class than a cloak from Galadriel herself?
Really!
My best advice is make one or have it made. Good ones are very, very expensive for good reason. It takes a lot of material to make a cloak, and if you want one that will hold up after repeated washings then you'll need good fabric and good fabric normally does not come cheap.
Best idea is scout out fabric stores, find a fabric you love, (hopefully on sale) and then buy the yardage. If you can't sew, find a local seamstress.
I've been meaning to make myself one too, but have never found a fabric I love enough.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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quote:Originally posted by advice for robots: Can you get any more high class than a cloak from Galadriel herself?
Very true. When I said high class I meant instead of the rustic, woodland look more of a Count Dracula type look. But I'd prefer the rustic one.
How hard would it be to make one? I'm not completely inept at sewing, though I'm very out of practice and don't have a machine or anything.
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It depends on the kind of fabric but good quality fabric can easily cost 7-10/yard, so you are looking at probably at least $30-$40 in fabric alone (and quite likely more)
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I can't remember the name of that creepy catalogue that I get once a year with cloaks and sundry items that don't fit real well with my lifestyle. But I'm pretty sure that if you can buy a cloak for under $150.00, you will be ahead of hiring it done.
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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I bought a cloak at a renaissance faire. The business card says "Cloaked in Time" with e-mail address janus and then has cwo.com after it. I think it was $190, but very nice. Ask for Patti. Also tell her to get a website already. Send her to iselect.net for that.
Posts: 454 | Registered: Mar 2005
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When I was in high school, my friends and I had a cloak-making party. We had very simple patterns and I bought really cheap black fabric (and it still cost $25 or so). You can probably find patterns online if you google for them. Here's one: http://www.halloweenonlinemagazine.com/makeup/cloak1-1.htmlPosts: 3546 | Registered: Jul 2002
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Cloaks were the most massively useful item of clothing ever, at one time. I have something similar to that from the modern day, I have a real woolen poncho from Guatemala. It's got little sticks and stuff woven into it in places so you can tell it was woven outdoors. It's got a Quetzal bird on the front and back. It's very warm. Also rather itchy so I have to be careful to wear something soft underneath that protects my skin from it. And when it gets damp it smells funky like some unknown animal. I love it!
Posts: 6246 | Registered: Aug 2004
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Cloaks can be a huge range of prices, depending on the fabric. My husband didn't want lined, and wanted a bit coarser material. I got some black rayon canvas (I think) and then to make it seem a bit wealthier some gold ribbon. I think total it will cost me maybe $25, plus my time to sew it. Sewing is pretty simple and I am not a seamstress. I started sewing less than a year ago.
Posts: 1001 | Registered: Mar 2006
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I've made two from free online patterns/directions (with some tweaking) and they've turned out great. Now is a great time to hit sales at the fabric store, I have found washable wool 75% off this time of year in myriad cloak-appropriate colors.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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I used to love the red-satin-lined Dracula cloak I had as part of my Halloween costume when I was little. I used to put it on and...think I was awesome. For years I wanted to wear it in public for fun. However...there's not much chance for a boy in the rural South, small for his age, to survive getting caught doing that.
Posts: 3354 | Registered: May 2005
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If you do buy a pattern, you should be able to get it for around $2, ideally $1. Patterns go on sale all the time at most fabric stores. I had some one try to convince me that I should come buy patterns cause they were on sale for 40% off. Ifyou are looking at one for $10, 40% is still $6, which is still more than I pay. My sister in law pays full price for her patterns (and the crazy thing is she doesn't even sew and hasn't used it so it wasn't one of those emergency, can't wait for the pattern sale in 2 weeks). For what might be a cape (though I am thinking a peasant skirt might be nice too), I am using fabric that was intended for curtains, so check all the sections in the fabric store. Also, I hate to do this, but Walmart has cheap fabric. Also, check in the red tag section of fabric store. Near holidays, the red tag at Joann's is an additional 50% off, so you can get some great deals there.
Posts: 1001 | Registered: Mar 2006
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Even though I do love Wal-Mart for notions and such, I do NOT buy fabric there. Their fabric is of noticeably poorer quality. If you want a costume cloak, sure. But if you want to wear it everyday, got a quality fabric.
kq, how has the washable wool help up for you? I've thought of getting some, but been hesitant. Is shrinkage really bad?
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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I would mostly agree about the Walmart quality fabric, but every once in a while, they have somehing nice. Of course, my husband's cloak fabric was not purchased there, or 90% of the baby clothes fabric, but still, every once in a while, it happens. It also depends on your Walmart. My mom cannot believe it when I show her the fabrics I have gotten for under $2. We went to her walmart and there was nothing useful at all.
Posts: 1001 | Registered: Mar 2006
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Belle, I made it for someone else with that (cloak, skirt, and hood that time.) I washed it on warm (it said to use cold) and put it in the dryer on high and I still only lost half a yard of 10 yards (I had bought extra to account for shrinkage.) The friend I made it for said that she didn't have any more shrinkage after that. So it didn't seem to have a problem once prewashing was done, and it's nearly waterproof.
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