I only made the cape in these photos, not the dress. The dress is a vintage wedding gown from 1953, and was given to me a while back by a dear woman who didn’t want the dress to be thrown out and was afraid that was what would happen to it when she passed away. The zipper was broken and she only had sons so had no one to pass the dress down too. Knowing that I could sew she asked if I would like the dress. It only needed a new zipper. And being that I love vintage clothing and the dress was beautiful I accepted the dress and promised her I would fix it and put it to use. I’ve worn the dress a few other times and thought that a lace cape would look lovely with the dress.
The day before one of our rare snow storms I got the idea I would like to have a lace cape to wear for pictures in the snow.
I had about six yards left over after I made my sister's lace top in 2019. I didn’t actually buy the lace for the top I made her, I just bought a whole bolt of it with no real plans for it, other than ooh pretty, and really cheap.I really liked the way her top turned out though and thought I would like to make myself something too.
I have always liked the look of a cape so decided that is what I would make. The dress was strapless but I added some straps for my own comfort. I used the top of simplicity pattern # 8144 from 1969 in view 1 leaving out the zipper making instead a keyhole opening with a pearl button closure so I could slip it over my head. I thought about making view 2 because I love the way gathered sleeves look but decided the sleeves being that poofy might be a bit much on with the cape deciding view 1 was the way to go.
I used the width of fabric and pleated it on the back to make the cape, measuring out the length to have a bit of a train. I rounded out the bottom of the cape and sewed the scalloped edges from the sides to keep the scalloped look all the way through.
The cape went together really quickly and easily and being that the lace doesn’t fray I didn't have to finish the insides which made it go even faster.
I love the way it turned out. The lace itself is a bit itchy but that's not really a big deal. I think it makes a nice accompaniment to the dress and would look nice with other dresses as well. As for doing pictures in the snow; it was a bit on the cold side but I love the way white and cream dresses look in the snow so it's always worth it to be a bit cold. It's not the first set of snow photos I’ve done. and I always make sure to follow up the pictures with a treat of steaming hot chocolate to get warm.
I only made the cape in these photos, not the dress. The dress is a vintage wedding gown from 1953, and was given to me a while back by a dear woman who didn’t want the dress to be thrown out and was afraid that was what would happen to it when she passed away. The zipper was broken and she only had sons so had no one to pass the dress down too. Knowing that I could sew she asked if I would like the dress. It only needed a new zipper. And being that I love vintage clothing and the dress was beautiful I accepted the dress and promised her I would fix it and put it to use. I’ve worn the dress a few other times and thought that a lace cape would look lovely with the dress.
The day before one of our rare snow storms I got the idea I would like to have a lace cape to wear for pictures in the snow.
I had about six yards left over after I made my sister's lace top in 2019. I didn’t actually buy the lace for the top I made her, I just bought a whole bolt of it with no real plans for it, other than ooh pretty, and really cheap.I really liked the way her top turned out though and thought I would like to make myself something too.
I have always liked the look of a cape so decided that is what I would make. The dress was strapless but I added some straps for my own comfort. I used the top of simplicity pattern # 8144 from 1969 in view 1 leaving out the zipper making instead a keyhole opening with a pearl button closure so I could slip it over my head. I thought about making view 2 because I love the way gathered sleeves look but decided the sleeves being that poofy might be a bit much on with the cape deciding view 1 was the way to go.
I used the width of fabric and pleated it on the back to make the cape, measuring out the length to have a bit of a train. I rounded out the bottom of the cape and sewed the scalloped edges from the sides to keep the scalloped look all the way through.
The cape went together really quickly and easily and being that the lace doesn’t fray I didn't have to finish the insides which made it go even faster.
I love the way it turned out. The lace itself is a bit itchy but that's not really a big deal. I think it makes a nice accompaniment to the dress and would look nice with other dresses as well. As for doing pictures in the snow; it was a bit on the cold side but I love the way white and cream dresses look in the snow so it's always worth it to be a bit cold. It's not the first set of snow photos I’ve done. and I always make sure to follow up the pictures with a treat of steaming hot chocolate to get warm.
