How To Make a Fur Cape

My Idea is to make a fur cape, using leather and other materials, to wear to outdoor events. The soft rabbit fur is on the inside, but the outside could be plain old cowhide, or deerskin, for all I care. The warm part is the fur. I'd like to add beads, gemstones and sterling, to the cape to decorate it, to make it my personal work of art. The gemstones will have to be pearls, howlite, hematite, malachite, turquoise, and a few others, in a pattern. The Cape itself is to be a full circle, with an attachable hood, or maybe with a matching unattachable hood, that just wraps around the collar. The fur lining is a bit more difficult to work with, considering the size of your average rabbit. But the hem of the cape will be above-the-ground level. I will insist on pockets in the sides of the cape, and that will add a couple of extra furs to the overall price, but they will not be overlarge. I plan also to make a matching pair of boots, and gloves, and to adorn them in the same manner as the cape and hood. The unfinished measure of the cape is to be: from the hem to the neckline (collar), the length of the body to wear it from ankle to nape, subtracting only an inch or two, because of the uncut material. Allowing for the width of the body around which it is to be wrapped, the cape should be twice that wide, as there may be need of warming another body in it. The color of the fur and the outside is entirely dependent on personal choice, but I plan to use white, on both sides. The hem should be finished in the easest way possible, that is it and the sides should be done on the wrong side, and then the whole thing turned right side out so that the collar is the last to be sewn. This way the collar, which is fur on both sides, covers the stitching. The reason for the fur on both sides of the collar is that when the hood is attached, the ties will have to be placed under the collar,and the hood will therefore stay in place more securely.

Materials For Making The Cape

• Fur of your choice (light to medium weight)
• Leather of your choice (light to medium weight)
• Needles (upholstery sewing)
• Hole Punch
• Thread or Sinew

Materials For The Decoration

• Gemstone Beads
• Sterling Silver Beads
• Silk Thread
• Needles (Beading & Upholstery)
• Thimble
• Patience
• Determination

Skills You Will Need

• Moderate Sewing Skills
• Button Sewing Skills
• Leather Working Skills
• First Aid Skills (these will come in handy)