trying to stay warm

[William]

what I plan to do is make a mock-up with an old bed sheet... then I'll have my wife help me with laying it out just right on the blanket before I cut... I'm not going to say that the idea doesn't make me a little nervous, but I think that if I do it with old bedsheets first, I'll be more comfortable with cutting the blanket.

Ed

Here are those links I referred to, they should help you figure out the proper measurments;
http://www.inquiry.net/OUTDOOR/WINTER/gear/capote.htm
http://www.troop6idahofalls.org/capote.pdf
http://varsityrendezvous.com/pdf/clothing.pdf
http://woodbadge.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=1&Itemid=54

[Red Badger]

If you have any questions contact bulldog lady she is always generous with her suggestions and tips that she has learned from doing her own projects....

I personally have been wishy washy about making a copote, I just don't like the idea of cutting up a good blanket (could be the Scotsman in me) I have a blanket pin and when I get cold I grab one of the old horse blankets my grandmother passed down to me and wear it as a a covering.  I like to think that I can make a blanket into 104 different items (necessity being the mother of invention) without cutting it up.  Might not be pretty but functional and period correct.

Also don't forget the people we have on this and the other sites... if you are handy at the forge you might be able to set up a barter for something you know how to make and they might need!  

[VaScout]

I'm getting better at the forge... I'm still a neophyte, but I'm progressing pretty well.

There are some basic things that I've got down pat now, though.

Ed

[Watauga]

I Like the mock-up idea if you use an old cotton sheet you will have made you an extra shirt as your getting the pattern figured out!
Save the Scraps you can make all kind of small bags etc... with them

[VaScout]

I was thinking about using a satin sheet so that I would have a Hugh Heffner style robe afterwards.   

Just kidding... but I will probably make the mock-up out of something useful.

Ed

[William]

LOL! 

[Bulldog lady]

What goes on behind closed tent flaps is your business  Hugh Baby!         I used a cheap fleece blanket for pattern and use it for housecoat- or if you use something a  little heavier you can always convert into a hunting frock 

[DEADDAWG]

Ed, You were asking about the Harbor Freight blankets for clothing. Here is a wrap blanket shirt I made as an experiment before cutting up my green Witney. The weave is not as tight and the blanket is not as thick as a Hudson Bay/Witney blanket but it will take the chill off on a cool day. You can take the itch out of it by washing it hot to shrink it, use fabric softener in the rinse and a dryer sheet in the dryer on hot. You'll loose about 2 inches each way but it'll make it better.



Here's a dress you should really make for your wife, she'll get all kinds of OOHHHs and AAHHHs all over camp.

[Bulldog lady]

ooh and awaws   very nice and very pretty lady, 

[graybear]

Looks like the pup wants to know what she's doin' with it's blanket.

[VaScout]

That's some nice work.

Thanks for the ideas!

Ed

[VaScout]

Ok... here's an update.

Through the generosity of William, I have purchased (for a VERY reasonable price) 3 nice blankets.  Among these is a gin yooooo wine hudson's bay 4 point.

I'm now in the planning stages of making my capote.  I have looked at several tutorials and articles about making a capote, and am almost ready to begin making the mockup.

Right now, I'm deciding on the details... I've read contradicting information about some of these things, but I'm leaning on the side of no fringes or pockets.  I'm currently thinking about a very simple square-cut design with slightly tapered sleeves.

I've measured myself many times, and I'm very confident that my capote will fit well when I'm done.

I'll start a new thread when it's done, so I can show it off.

Thanks again William, for helping a newby get off to a good start!

Ed

[William]

If you don't need or want a hood you'll have more material to work with once you've cut the body out, maybe even have enough for pockets and a belt.  The most impressive part of the capote that Bulldog Lady made for my father is the whip stitching along the edges.  I've looked at the directions several times but still don't know how it's done;    Speaking of my dad, today was his birthday and I gave him his present;

[Bulldog lady]

Whole point of this site is sharin, the trim on capote  is a button hole stitch, just not done as close as for button holes.    just like doing a whip stitch but you go under and over before going back into material, this makes the little ridge on top.  Look in any needlework or sewing reference.   More than glad to  help any way can. 

[William]

Found another place for making capotes; http://picasaweb.google.com/lonegreeneagle/SurvivalGear?feat=email#5409777707666736274