Long coats are everything this winter, and I’m loving it. Trenches, overcoats, capes – I love rocking every single one as soon as the first crisp leaf hits the ground. With a full silhouette that sweeps the ankles, The Winterberry Cape free sewing pattern fulfills all of my winter needs perfectly. Made here in a quality wool cashmere and luxe charmeuse lining, this pattern would look equally stunning in anything from tweed to velvet!
Purchase Materials Used Below:
- 5 yards Italian Brown Wool/Cashmere Coating
- 4.5 yards Italian Almond Stretch Polyester Charmeuse
- 1 Dark Brown/Gold Faux Leather Toggle Closure
- MDF177 – The Winterberry Cape Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
First, sew your two back cape panels along the center back seam with the fabric faces together. Repeat with your front panels, attaching them to the back along the shoulder/side seam. Press your seams open and top-stitch the seam allowance down on either side with your widest straight stitch.
Form your cape lining by attaching the front facing to the side front lining pieces. Fold your seam allowance out toward the side seams and top stitch. Attach your front panels to the back at the shoulder/side seams and sew up the center back seam. Set your lining aside for the time being.
Add one edge of your collar along the neckline of your cape, faces together. A half inch of collar should overlap on either side.
Fold your collar downward in half, placing the faces together, and stitch down the sides. Clip your seam allowance, and turn your collar right-side out. Stay-stitch or pin the lower open edge into place.
Pin your lining to your cape, faces together and sew along the center front edges and neckline, sewing the unfinished edge of your collar into place in the process.
Next, place your armhole facing on top of your front cape panel, faces together, following the guidelines on your pattern.
Sew a rectangle around the facing, through both layers of fabric. Cut open your rectangle, making sure to notch into the corners, and turn your facing inward toward the wrong side of your cape fabric.
Pin into place and edge-stitch around the armhole to finish.
Hem your main layer and lining layers separately.
Lastly, edge-stitch around the center front and collar of your cape, and add a toggle or snap along the front neckline.
Add your preferred closure and it’s ready to wear!
What color coating are you planning on using for your Winterberry Cape? Let me know in the comments below!
63 comments
What about adding a hood that can be removed. I love this cloak.
Hi, Kathy – I love that idea! You could attach it with heavy duty snaps or a zipper!
Is this printable suppose to be printed on an A4? And then we just attach the A4 together?
Hi! It’s printable on US Letter (8.5″x11″)
I printed mine on A4 paper and it fit together just fine,
Does the front close/overlap? Or would I need to add extra width to the front panels for that?
I’m hoping to make something similar to the WWII nurses’ cloaks and this looks like a good place to start
Hi, Alessandra! This one does not overlap in the front. I wonder if you could try taping a double-breasted coat pattern on top of this pattern at the shoulder seam and draw a new cutline to turn this into a double-breasted cape pattern? The Achillea Coat could work!
What other ideas for closures?
There are so many options! You can find all of Mood’s closures here. They have a bunch of toggles, snap closures, and buckles!
Is there a way to make it out of a flowier material? I love this cape and am thinking about making it, but I like lighter-weight and more of a satin-like fabric. Also, is there a way of adding a hood? Would this work for an elven princess costume?
Hi! Yes, of course – you could certainly skip the lining/facing and then just finish the edges of your material with a simple rolled hem. You could also print our Gordonia pattern and just take the hood from that and use it in place of the Winterberry collar. 🙂
Thank you so much. This really helps, as I am looking into making an elven princess costume for Halloween next year.
That sounds awesome! Be sure to tag #MadeWithMood so we can see the final product! 😀
The problem is, I have no social media. So I have no way of tagging you guys with the final product
I was wondering if you have a medieval-style dress pattern that would work well with this cape?
Hi Mia, not that I can think of, but you can find all of our dress patterns here!
It looks so stylish and beautiful! Cant wait to work on it!
Thank you so much for sharing your pattern and instructions! I love this design, I think I’ll probably sew it for my winter wedding! 🙂
I’m super nervous about making this because I am still a beginner at sewing and have had my fair share of wasted fabric from screwing up projects. Do you have any advice for me?
Hi Robin, try making a quick muslin of the pattern first – that way you can see the size and shape with a cheaper fabric before cutting into your nice fabric! 🙂
I feel like im blind today lol. I cant find the instructions of wear to put the back neckline facing? Am i completely missing it or was this added later?
Hi Tabitha, the back neckline facing is sewn to the front facing at the shoulders, then baste the neckline facing’s top edge to the neckline, and sew it into the collar.
I’m sorry this response is so late, but hopefully it’ll help other sewists! 🙂
I’m making a muslin of this from an old sheet so I can do some modifications, and then I hope to make it out of waterproof material. So much better than a poncho! Thank you for making the pattern available.
How much should I add to the front panels if I wanted to make it a button front closure?
Hi Audrey! It depends a bit on your buttons. For example, if you’re using a 1″ button and would like the fabric to frame it 1″ on either side, you’ll want to overlap your panels 3″ – in which case, add 3″ to each of your panels. I hope that makes sense!
I love this. I recently Recieved a dress form as a gift and have been looking for something to make. This will be the perfect garment, as it doesn’t have sleeves or a hood.
Thank you so much for making this available. I LOVE YOUR CAPE!! I quilt but I’m going to try making this and see how I make out. I’m excited, thank you!
Pardon me, but I can’t seem to get the file to print correctly? It shows correctly in the file but once it prints there’s blank areas where there shouldn’t be. I was very excited to use this pattern for a Halloween costume and it’s a bummer that it won’t print. Is there any way I can fix this issue?
Hi Bri, there should be blank margins on the right and bottom edges in order to overlap the pages when taping them together. 🙂
I LOVE this cape. I downloaded the free pattern using the recommended Large Envelope setting on my printer. What I got was however many pages of assorted lines, some half letters and numbers on the bottom and no written instructions that I can see, or pattern markings that match the instructions on the pages of the cape instructions on this page. I feel like I just wasted A LOT of paper, when I was trying to NOT do that. What am I doing wrong? The initial 2 inch square was accurate, just to have answered probably your first question. I was going to start this project along with a crocheted shawl that I’m most of the way finished with. I guess I won’t do that until I get your answer….thanks!
Hi Betty! All of our PDFs are sized for US Letter paper, 8.5″x11″
I am so excited about this cape! I am making a prototype to practice for my amazing wool I ordered. Can you explain how the lining works with the armholes? do I stitch the lining into the armhole piece? Do I cut a line in the lining? I can’t quite figure that part out. Thank you!
Hi Sally! Yes, you cut a line in the lining where it matches with the armhole and it’s then sewn into the armhole piece for a clean finish. 🙂
What height is this pattern dradted for? I’m 5ft, and assume I will need to shorten this to fit me better. I made the daylily skirt as it was and had to remove several inches.
Hi Alana! If it helps, the center back length for a size 10/12 is 50″. It ranges an inch or two in either direction for larger or smaller sizes. 🙂
Where is the sign up for the cape sew a long?
Hi, Bridget! The sign up info is here. 🙂
Is it possible to get an image of the arm hole on the inside? Is the rectangle facing that is turned in on the inside left with a raw edge? Thanks!
Hi Lee! I left the edge raw on mine in order to reduce bulk and because this wool coating doesn’t fray, but you could opt to fold the edges inward before stitching the facing into place.
Let’s try this again…….I wrote last week and no answer!!! Instructions suck canal water…..I am not a novice seamstress but let me ask you- why would you put the armhole facing on before the lining? why put the collar on before the lining??? what is the purpose of cutting out a back facing and then not address its’ use??? making this for my Boss’ daughter (18 year old) and need answers before too long so I can finish it before Christmas…….
Hi, Lynn – apologies! I’m not sure where you’re located, but it was a holiday weekend here in the US so I’m very sorry for the delay.
To answer your questions, you may be running into some trouble because the instructions do say to attach the lining before the armhole.
The lining is attached after the collar so that the raw edge along the bottom gets sewn inside the lining. That way you’re left with a clean collar sewn between the main layer and the lining.
The back facing is completely optional – personally, I chose not to use it, but you may choose to cut that portion out of the lining and include the facing to match the collar. Again, entirely optional though – just thought I’d include the piece as we include some additional extra options in many of our patterns for more advanced sewists.
I hope this helped – enjoy the free pattern!
Hi! I might be missing the obvious, but where are the fabric requirements/yardages? I can’t seem to find them on this page nor on the pattern. I’m wanting to make this pattern in a size 20. Thanks!
Hi, Rachel! The yardages needed for different sizes are available in the ‘Shop This Look’ box.:)
Hi! I’m so excited to find this pattern but I keep getting links that don’t work . Is there another way for me to get the pattern?
Hi Christina, just send an email to info@moodfabrics.com and they’ll send the pattern to you. Happy sewing!
I love the look of this! I’ve always wanted a cape style coat but never found one that 1) I liked the color of and 2) could afford. This pattern would solve both problems! I have a question though regarding the weight of it, and the clasp.
I own a ‘cosplay’ style cape that I bought at a Renaissance Fair that similarly wraps around the body and also similarly clasps below the neck. It’s unlined, but is still pretty heavy. The weight of it unfortunately pulls the clasp up to press against my neck, making it very uncomfortable to wear for than ten minutes or so. (If only I had worn it for 10 minutes straight before buying it!)
How do you keep the cape from pulling the clasp up to the neck and choking the wearer? Is there a trick I just don’t realize? (Or am the only person suffering this plight? D: )
Hi, Heidi! Does your cosplay cape have seams at the shoulders/sides like this one does? I’ve found that the seams included on this pattern help it lay more naturally on the body instead of the one-piece circular capes that tend to be offered at Ren Fairs, so the clasp doesn’t pull! 🙂
It does have side seams, yes. 🙁 And a back seam as well, like this one. Shape-wise, I’d probably compare it to the pictures I’ve seen on here of a 1/2 circle skirt.
Oh well. Maybe capes just don’t hang well on me. Thank you for answering my question.
No problem! If the one you have is more reminiscent of a 1/2 circle skirt, the seams may curve less than they do on this pattern – the curve helps the garment to stay on the wearer’s shoulders a bit better than straight seams. If you want to try making a mock up to see what I mean, I’d recommend trying it out with muslin before cutting into an expensive fabric! 🙂
If I want to make this out of an interlock knit, do I have to have a lining? And would I need 5 yards regardless of the size I plan on sewing? I live in the south and don’t need anything too heavy since it’s only cold about 3 months out of the year 🙂
Hi, Allison! You could definitely skip the lining and just use the front facing instead. 🙂
I used this pattern to make a cosplay cape. A rich red and black baroque upholstery fabric for the outside lined in silk. It fits my vampire vibes perfectly!
Is there a seam allowance built in this pattern, or is it net?
Hi Amanda! 1/2″ seam allowance is built into this pattern. 😀
My friends and I are all dressing up as our dnd characters, this cape was perfect for mine! I haven’t sewed in a really long time, this was a really fun project to get back into things with. Thank you!
Hi! I’ve been trying to download this pattern and have put my name in the “Subscribe and Download” box multiple times, but it won’t do anything. I’ve checked my inbox and can’t find it. Am I missing something?
Hello Brittany, I’m sorry to hear it isn’t working for you! Just email info@moodfabrics.com and they’ll send the pattern over. Happy sewing!
I am having a MAJOR problem with the collar. I cut out the pattern exactly as suggested, and am making this cape size 12, but the dollar is only about 18” wide, yet the neck opening of the cape is nearly 25”. This makes no sense, I’ve double checked everything, I don’t see how this collar is supposed to fit with 1/2” overlap on either side, with what little fabric I have left, I’m going to have to cut out a dollar that fits, for the top, and will have to piece together a wider collar for the bottom. I just don’t understand this.
Hi Lisa, I’m sorry you’re having some challenges with this pattern! I just printed out the neckline and collar pieces to take a look, and everything appears to be matching up as it should. The following measurements were made at the seamlines, with the seam lines accounted for:
– The bottom edge of the collar that gets sewn into the neckline should measure at approximately 16″.
– The top edge of the collar is 18″.
– The neck measurement is 15″.
I have a few guesses as to what the problem could be: The fabric you’re using has a tendency to grow, the neckline got stretched, the wrong size was cut out, and/or the collar was upside down.
Hopefully that helps!
The sewing instructions don’t even mention the front facing — a huge oversight.
Hi Lisa, the instructions actually do mention the front facing: “Form your cape lining by attaching the front facing to the side front lining pieces. Fold your seam allowance out toward the side seams and top stitch.” But if you need more clarity, I’m happy to help. 🙂
Hi there! Can you use any stretch charmeuse? I see the one you recommended is out of stock, as is the toggle. Thanks.
Hello, you are able to use any stretch charmeuse as well as other alternative fabrics like Coatings, Tweed, suiting, or Velvet.