Purple cloaks

I finished AJ’s cloak on Sunday evening. I cobbled together something for her to wear underneath. I used an old skirt of mine and a bit of tartan cloth that has been in my stash too long. Nice to use it.  I did this after the children had gone to bed, so it was guess work. The next evening I made some changes and turned the skirt into a summer dress, as it would not stay up. She is a slip of a thing. I used an old costume jewellery brooch as a cloak fastening and a scarf thingy (word has gone…) to keep the tartan overskirt in place. Voila. All done. Happy child.

She is  part of the chorus for the “Scottish Play” that should not be named. Seems appropriate that she has a Scottish dog with her (Gwin is not appearing on the night). I am particularly pleased with the cloak. Its made out of purple cotton velour, which again has been in my stash for a while. I just took the scissors to it, used AJ as a tailor’s dummy and pinned. After that it was an easy job to machine round it. Wish all my projects went so smoothly.

It wasn’t until tonight, as I put her to bed, that I realised that I had used the same fabric to make a cloak for one of her dolls. It was three years ago, but I had totally forgotten.

Can you see the similarity? I think the yellow wall has confused my camera and made the purple look more blue, so you are going to have to take my word that this is the same fabric. I love cloaks with pointed hoods. I’m going to have to make myself a hooded cloak one day.

Meet Violet. I did not make the doll. She was made by a true friend for AJ’s second birthday. I was five months pregnant with BL at the time. It was such a lovely, thoughtful gift. AJ still treasures her doll and she used to carry Violet around in a dolly sling. Her sling matched the one I carried BL in as a baby. This was also the first Waldorf inspired doll I had seen. I was intrigued, bought a book and have made several dolls since. Some gifts just keep on giving!

20 comments

  1. Brilliant!!!
    I love to make costumes for Evie although she seems to want to dress up as the strangest things for Halloween etc.
    Em xx

    1. They all seem to enjoy dressing up. I used to buy the ones in the sales in Woolworths. Now I’m more than happy to make outfits for them. Less shiney at any rate!

    1. Thanks. I find the faces of the dolls most challenging part to do. I love the way my friend has used two colours for the eyes. I’ll pop over to check out your tute and pick up some tips.

  2. AJ looks amazing, very medieval, especially with Gwin. I’ve always fancied a cloak, not very practical but very romantic. Hope the play goes/went well.

    1. I’ve been to several events in the last few years when I have thought that a cloak would be good. If only to blend in! We used to wear cloaks for school and they are impractical in most situations. Play was postponed last night, as it is to be performed outside and weather forecast was iffy. Maybe I should rattle myself up a cloak quickly!

  3. love cloaks. We have several in the dressing up stuff in all sizes. They’re great for haolloween as well. I can’t count the number of times we’ve lent them out for school plays!

    1. Thanks. Gwinny’s not that keen on water, to put it lightly. I think last year she paddled up to her ankles, but no one could describe her as a water dog. She loves running on the beach and moves like lightening. I’ll still check the photos.

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