Home Page

Stefan's Florilegium

cloaks-msg



This document is also available in: text or RTF formats.

cloaks-msg - 1/10/08

 

Cloaks, cloak pins and clasps.

 

NOTE: See also the files: AS-Cloaks-art, raingear-msg, headgear-msg, aprons-msg, patterns-msg, cl-academic-msg, jewelry-msg, fasteners-msg.

 

************************************************************************

NOTICE -

 

This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I  have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday.

 

This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org

 

I  have done  a limited amount  of  editing. Messages having to do  with separate topics  were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the  message IDs  were removed to save space and remove clutter.

 

The comments made in these messages are not necessarily my viewpoints. I make  no claims  as  to the accuracy  of  the information  given by the individual authors.

 

Please  respect the time  and  efforts of  those who have written  these messages. The  copyright status  of these messages  is  unclear at this time. If  information  is  published  from  these  messages, please give credit to the originator(s).

 

Thank you,

    Mark S. Harris                  AKA:  THLord Stefan li Rous

                                          Stefan at florilegium.org

************************************************************************

 

From: trifid at agora.rain.com (Roadster Racewerks)

Date: 24 May 91 01:02:12 GMT

Organization: Open Communications Forum

 

The infamous "Bucknell's" gives as part of the garb of a woman of the 1300s a

"Pelicon" (I can't reproduce the proper "c"), a long cloak with large attached

hood. Page 29 of the 1967 edition of "Evolution of Fashion: Pattern and cut

from 1066 to 1930", Hill and Bucknell. It is a  full circle design with small

slits for the use of the arms. I have also seen Ren. scholar's cloaks with

hoods (the antecedents of our mundane professors' gowns) and without. It is

true that earlier medieval cloaks and cowls most probably had detached hoods

(the ones with the long tails) which can be hard to distinguish in illustrations

if the two were of the same material.

 

I realize "Bucknell's" isn't the end of the controversy...

 

NicMaoilan

 

 

From: cjcannon at ucdavis.edu (1/7/94)

To: Mark Harris

RE>Fabric Questions

 

Unto Lord Stefan li rous, Greetings:

 

On Thu, 6 Jan 1994, Mark Harris wrote:

 

> Greetings unto Carol,

>

> In article <Pine.3.89.9401031207.B5093-0100000 at othello.ucdavis.edu> you

write:

> >  I got a very kind reply from Beorthwine of Grafham Wood, Midrealm,

referring me to the archaeological

> >literature on the subject and I thank him for it, but it leads me to

> >clarify one of the questions I had.  What I intended to ask in regard to

> >cloak pins is whether anyone knows of a SCAdian/mundane merchant who

> >either handmakes (all you smiths out there, for example) or a merchant

> >who sells a fair selection of cloak pins for purchase, since I am not set

> >up to manufacture my own.  Thanks for your time!

>  

> Have you gotten any answers to your request for sources for cloak clasps?

 

  Two--the one who said 'any major event' and the one with the address,

address below:

 

     Joanna <hosten at nature.berkeley.edu>   whose husband is starting up

his own custom jewellery business.  His phone #:  (510) 674-8544.  She

says it would be best to phone him directly and that he's in & out, so

please--leave that message on the voice mail recorder.

 

> Are you looking for buckle types or the Celtic C shaped pins? The latter

> is fairly easy to make, but won't penetrate and hold up a heavy cloak.

 

  I'd thought the Celtic would be more in line with Katie's 14th century

Irishwoman persona, but perhaps I ought to reconsider, given your

experience with the types.

> I have been using a decorative ladies belt buckle to hold a heavy cloak

> together. Unfortunately, I've just broken my second set. I was hoping that

> someone might have pointed you toward a heavy duty cloak clasp.

 

  According to Joanna, her spouse could make it to order, so all you

should need to do is specify how heavy, or what gauge/whatever, I should

think.  Good Luck to You!  And thanks for your suggestions/comments.  If

I get more addresses for merchants closer to you, or who say they'll be

at Pennsic, I'll let you know.

 

As always,

Carol

 

 

From: data at eden.rutgers.edu (Rosemary Goodheart)

Newsgroups: rec.org.sca

Subject: Re: Cloaks

Date: 14 Nov 1994 17:33:54 -0500

Organization: Rutgers University

 

Well, there are plenty of places to get cloak patterns. The pattern I use is

from a mundane fabric shop.  Look in the costume section of the pattern books

for medieval or Robin Hood patterns, or something like that.  It's actually

quite possible to make some nice garb from these patterns if you know how to

make the right alterations.  (Of course, some of them are just so cheesy that

there's no hope for them.

 

If you use a costume cloak pattern, and want a lined cloak, just cut out the

pattern in both the cloak fabric and the lining fabric, then sew them together.

I have been told, however, that you should just sew the sides and neck together

and leave the bottom open, hemming the cloak and lining seperately.  This is

because, over time, the fabrics will stretch unevenly, and eventually will

cause a cloak that's seamed together on the bottom to hang funny.

 

Good luck!!!

                                    -Rosemary

--

Rosemary Goodheart                                       YYY     YYY

data at eden.rutgers.edu                                     | |YYYYY| |

                             at )--->----;-----              |_|__n__|_|

 

 

From: nataliae at aol.com (Natalia E)

Newsgroups: rec.org.sca

Subject: Re: Cloaks

Date: 15 Nov 1994 22:45:04 -0500

Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)

 

There is a Very Easy Very Vogue 7110 pattern for a woman's cloak, which

works perfectly fine for a simple cloak pattern.  I made both my lord's

and my own cloak from it and I just learned how to sew this year.  Try it

out and you might find it will be just right.  Good luck.

 

Nataliia

 

 

From: connect at aol.com (CONNECT)

Newsgroups: rec.org.sca

Subject: Re: Cloaks

Date: 18 Nov 1994 15:00:06 -0500

Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)

 

In article <3m9uVc1w165w at bregeuf.stonemarche.org>,

una at bregeuf.stonemarche.org (Honour Horne-Jaruk) writes:

 

I would like any information you can find on when and where capes

(floor length or so) with attached hoods were used in pre-17th cent.

western Europe.

I've got great docs. on thigh-length and shorter cloak/hood combined

(The Picts had a neat one- looks amazingly like a cloaked Kewpie doll) but

nothing from original sources on hooded capes. (No, I don't trust re-drawn

costume books... how could you tell?)

 

----

Have you looked at the Janet Arnold book? She's got very elaborate designs

for several styles of cloaks. I think the one you're most likely to be

interested in is 1560-80 Crimson Velvet Circular or Compass Cloak.

 

This is from Janet Arnold's Patterns of Fashion c1560-1620--a must for any

serious sewer/costumer.

 

Pattie Rayl

Cynnabar

 

 

Newsgroups: rec.org.sca

From: foxd at silver.ucs.indiana.edu (daniel fox)

Subject: Re: Cloaks

Organization: Indiana University

Date: Sun, 20 Nov 1994 07:59:04 GMT

 

A hooded cloak is shown in C. Willet and Phyllis Cunnington's _Handbook of

English Costume in the Sixteenth Century_.  (Page 105) According to

the Cunningtons they were known as Spanish cloaks at that time.

My copy of The Cunnington's _Handbook of English Medieval Costume_

is missing, but as I recall one of the Anglo Saxon ladies is shown wearing

a cloak that is draped over her head.  This could be a mistake by the

copyist (the Cunnington's illustrations are good, but not perfect) or it

could be a hood misdrawn by the original artist, or it could be a cloak

worn draped over the head.....

 

Audelindis de Rheims, OL, OW

 

 

From: Wendy Chadwick <wendyc at Mars.mcs.com>

Newsgroups: rec.org.sca

Subject: Re: Wet-Weather Cloaks (fabric)

Date: Tue, 31 Jan 1995 12:42:31 -0600 (CST)

Organization: MCSNet Services

 

On 31 Jan 1995, Erin Kenny GMSI wrote:

(Talking about wool for cloaks)

>

> This is great for most people, but does anyone have good suggestions for

> cloak material for people allergic to wool?

 

If you want to try synthetics you might try polarfleece as the lining

with supplex or similar outerwear fabric on the outside. I have several

sources if you need it.

 

Irene von Schmetterling

Wendy Chadwick

wendyc at MCS.COM

 

 

From: powers at cis.ohio-state.edu (william thomas powers)

Newsgroups: rec.org.sca

Subject: Re: Cloaks/Capes

Date: 7 Feb 1995 17:12:37 -0500

Organization: The Ohio State University, Department of Computer and Information Science

 

In article <3h8mq1$8nv at dropit.pgh.net> jtd at news.pgh.net (John T. Dow) writes:

>     Although I'm not in the SCA (yet :) I've recently discovered the

>usefulness of a cloak as opposed to a coat for warmth (particularly

>around the house. And stop looking at me as if I'm nuts please. :)

      ========deletion========

> What I'm wondering about now are closures. (Tying vs. buttoning

>vs. ?????)  Anyone have a preferred type? A type you REALLY REALLY

>hate? Anything at all is helpful. (Any other bits of cloak making

>advice would be welcome as well. :) Thanks.

 

I do not like frogs--they did not age gracefully.

I do not like buttons/button holes.

I do not like ties-- no fun to try to undo when wet and pulled too tight.

 

I prefer using a Pen-annular Broach..  For my fine weaves I have used a

bodkin to seperate the material and made a small round "buttonhole" on

each side for the pin to use.  For my coarse weave plaid I just go betwixt

the threads.

 

wilelm the smith; who oft teaches a penannular broach class at Pennsic...  

 

 

From: jeffs at math.bu.EDU (Jeff Suzuki)

Newsgroups: rec.org.sca

Subject: wool etc.

Date: 8 Feb 1995 13:57:47 -0500

Organization: The Internet

 

>> This is great for most people, but does anyone have good suggestions for

>> cloak material for people allergic to wool?

>

>>1.     Wool with a lining, and a collar made of the lining fabric.

>        Even with a lining, the wool makes me sneeze, especially when wet.

 

Watch out for lining wool cloaks.  (I have a wool cloak, lined, and

I'm allergic to wool as well)  The problem is that if your lining is

not thick enough, wool fibers will work their way through the lining.

(Next wool cloak I make is going to be double lined)

 

>3.     Fur (on the inside).

 

Bleah.  Okay, I don't believe in fur.  (Leather, yes, because the cows

are raised for reasons other than their "fur" --- leather is a

byproduct of the meat industry)  Here's a situation where I can see a

good argument against using a period material, based on a simple,

moral choice.  (And before I get flamed, yes, it's _my_ choice, and

I'm not going to enforce it on anyone else)  

 

William the Alchymist

(who's working on an artificial fur-lined cloak, if he can get enough

artificial fur)

 

 

From: ldulin at aol.com (LDulin)

Newsgroups: rec.org.sca

Subject: Re: wool etc.

Date: 9 Feb 1995 10:39:23 -0500

Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)

 

Use thinsulate between layers of cotton. Works great, hangs great.

Lijsbeth

 

 

From: callred at carbon.cudenver.edu (Curtis L. Allred)

Newsgroups: rec.org.sca

Subject: Re: Cloaks/Capes

Date: 11 Feb 1995 14:40:12 -0700

Organization: University of Colorado at Denver

 

Carla Oexmann (oexmann at convex.com) wrote:

: Another question here : by haunting the local Tandy sales, I managed

: to acquire a large number of rabbit pelt seconds, and decided I would

: use them for a real furlined cloak.  I have them all stitched together

: now ( lots of hand sewing using the stitch shown in a leather working

: book ) but am uncertain as to how to attach it to the wool outer part

: of the cape.  Basically, I'm afraid that the thin leather of the pelts

: will tear at the shoulders.  Is there some way I can support the fur

: lining, or should it just hang independantly ?  What about shoulder

: rubs : is there any way to reinforce that ?

 

: thanks, carla

: Ritual disclaimer : My opinion and mine alone !  Convex, as best I can tell,

: doesn't have opinions, being a corporate entity...

: Carla Oexmann        {allegra, sun, harvard, uiucdcs, ctvax}!convex!oexmann

Greetings, Carla!  Hugh here.

 

      Might I suggest a variation of what I did once with some Tandy Leather

rabbit pelts.  I used them to line some period boots I was making--and after

quite a bit of use, the pelts still are intact.

 

      Get ye some lining fabric (doesn't matter what type). Cut the fabric so

that it conforms to the cloak and pelt lining (sewing involved, most like)

and the use rubber cement to glue the pelt lining to the fabric.  Make sure

to apply cement to both the fabric and the pelts.  Then go over the whole

thing with some loose sitiches with a thread that blends in with the

rabbit pelts.  Stitch this in lines of about a foot apart going vertically

up and down the lining.  This will insure that the pelt and fabric will stay

together.

 

      Once this is done, you should be able to attach the combined pelt/

fabric lining to the cloak's outer shell. You might be able to get enough

support from just attaching the lining to the shell along the outer seams.

 

      Good luck--it sounds wonderful!  

 

                              Hugh of Berwick

 

 

Newsgroups: rec.org.sca

From: rzex60 at email.sps.mot.com (Jay Brandt)

Subject: Re: Cloaks/Capes

Organization: the Polyhedron Group

Date: Mon, 13 Feb 1995 19:17:44 GMT

 

In article <3hepbd$4vg at bach.convex.com>, oexmann at convex.com (Carla

Oexmann) wrote:

 

> Another question here : by haunting the local Tandy sales, I managed

> to acquire a large number of rabbit pelt seconds, and decided I would

> use them for a real furlined cloak.  I have them all stitched together

> now ( lots of hand sewing using the stitch shown in a leather working

> book ) but am uncertain as to how to attach it to the wool outer part

> of the cape.  Basically, I'm afraid that the thin leather of the pelts

> will tear at the shoulders.  Is there some way I can support the fur

> lining, or should it just hang independantly ?  What about shoulder

> rubs : is there any way to reinforce that ?

 

Well, for what it's worth, here's my thoughts on the matter.

 

I've seen those Tandy rabbit pelts, and I think your fears for their

structural strength may be justified. The leather is quite thin and soft.

The weight of a cloak-sized sheet of such pelts could possibly damage

them, if supported only on the edges.

 

I think what -I- would do next is to make an inner shell, following the

same pattern as the outer layer of the cloak, made of lightweight to

medium weight cotton duck. Pre-shrink the inner shell, because it must be

dimensionally stable for this idea to work. Then I'd attach the fur to the

inner shell, both at the edges and at points spaced 6 to 12 inches apart

in a diamond pattern, rather like making a quilt. If carefully done from

the shell side, the support stitching shouldn't show, and it should add a

fair amount of strength. Once the fur is quilted to the shell, attach the

outer shell of the cloak as planned before.

 

This -should- work, but I give you the caveat that I have not tested such

an assembly, and there may be flaws in this idea that I haven't

considered. I'm working mostly from my own experience with other cloak

linings, and what little I know about the strengths of the materials

involved.

 

Much luck to you in your endeavor. Please let us know how it turns out,

and what methods you chose to use.

--

Regards, Jay Brandt --- Austin, Texas, USA --- <rzex60 at email.sps.mot.com>

In the SCA, HLS Jason of Rosaria, JdL, GdS, AoA --------- (Member # 3016)

 

 

Cloak Pattern - (from a WWW site on 5/95)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

From: jah10 at Cornell.edu (Jay Howell)

 

> >> For quite some time I have sought a pattern (fabric) for making

> >> a hooded cloak. As of yet I have had no luck I have seen some

> >> at different fair that I really liked, most people said they bought

> >> theirs at such-n-sucha place or a friend made it. I would prefer

> >> to make my own (means more). I would very much appreciate help

> >> from anyone who has a pattern or knows how/where to get one.

> >> I am not picky too much abou the style or wether it is open or pull

> >> over.

> >>

> >> Thanks in advance.

> >> Mark Browning

> >> Meb8913 at utarlg.uta.edu

 

> I made my own cloak as well that was hooded and lined.  If I can

> remember, I'll try and find the pattern tonight in all my junk,

> but I *think* it was either a Simplicity or a Butterwick pattern.

> I'll try and email you tomorrow, but > you may wish to e-mail me

> and remind me that I told you I'd get this :)

 

   I have been making cloaks for myself and friends for the past three years

(No mean feat for an amateur tailor), and the pattern I have used has gotten

a very welcome reception.

 

   The Pattern is by Butterick, #9796.  It has five (5) different cloak

styles.  Four of these seem to fit within the Renaissance era.  The fifth

just appears to be a Poncho-style wrap.

 

   I usually make the full-length style cloak, with hood. Depending on the

material used, and I usually make this type of cloak for $50 - $80, which

includes lining and trim.  (Now, if it only had something for ties.  *sigh*)

 

   If anyone has some ideas on how to put ties into a cloak, which WON'T

strangle you after five minutes, I would like to hear from you.

 

Jay

----

 

From: peaches at netcom.com

 

I have a pattern for a hooded cloak that I have found very nice.

It is a Simplitiy pattern #7016, one size fits all.

It is full length with slits for the arms. I put in a tie at the

neck for closing purposes.

 

I hope this helps you.

 

Georgia

----

 

From: ridley2 at aol.com (Ridley2)

 

Go to your local sewing store (JoAnn Fabric or Minnesota Fabrics, etc) and

ask for Vogue pattern #7110.  It's an easy, unlined hooded cloak.

 

Ridley

---

 

From: jburnes at crl.com (Jim Burnes)