This more of a documentation of how the Cloak went from concept art to completed look. It isn't intended as a tutorial, but hopefully you can find some inspiration or technique you can use in your own work.
It should be noted that this is more of a Creative Journey and the pattern I drafted for the cloak will not be posted. Cloaks made from it will become available for purchase in in the future.
It should be noted that this is more of a Creative Journey and the pattern I drafted for the cloak will not be posted. Cloaks made from it will become available for purchase in in the future.
I don't always start with a concept or drawing of an idea, but this time I did for two reasons. The first is that the cloak will be more complicated than any I've made before. I needed to have some way of remembering exactly how I intend it to look.
Which brings me to the second reason, memory. Since I do not have enough time I cannot make the finished cloak right away. So the concept art will act as a sort of reminder down the road. Hopefully, when I am able to work on this I can look at this and remember my direction.
It will be intended for a 42cm (16inch) doll. On Tuesday I started the pattern drafting for it and then Wednesday evening I tested it. The first draft of it turned out almost spot on but needed a few alterations to fit and hang the way I want it to.
Which brings me to the second reason, memory. Since I do not have enough time I cannot make the finished cloak right away. So the concept art will act as a sort of reminder down the road. Hopefully, when I am able to work on this I can look at this and remember my direction.
It will be intended for a 42cm (16inch) doll. On Tuesday I started the pattern drafting for it and then Wednesday evening I tested it. The first draft of it turned out almost spot on but needed a few alterations to fit and hang the way I want it to.
Here is what the completed test cloak looked like. The hidden opening for the arms are nearly perfect, but I need to lengthen them a bit to make it a little less tight looking. Right now they hit right at the bottom of her elbows. Maybe another 1/4 inch and they will work right.
As you can see the tested look fits the doll in length properly. I know the hood looks overly large compared to the rest of the cloak. The reason for that is to accommodate my doll's ears. Mystie is a Resinsoul Ju doll and has some rather amazing pointed ears. A standard hood would not have allowed for them, so the only option was to make it larger. This way I do not have to have slits in the hood for them.
As you can see the tested look fits the doll in length properly. I know the hood looks overly large compared to the rest of the cloak. The reason for that is to accommodate my doll's ears. Mystie is a Resinsoul Ju doll and has some rather amazing pointed ears. A standard hood would not have allowed for them, so the only option was to make it larger. This way I do not have to have slits in the hood for them.
The finished look will have a hook and eye closure at the neck and bottom of the cowl/shoulder piece. Right now it is pinned together for fitting. Oh, and forgive the tiny pumpkin. That's a necklace I made for Mystie out of a pair of Halloween Earrings.
The first change that came was to the point the cowl/shoulder part of it came down to in the front. It caused the bottom to hang at an angle. I should have stuck with the original shape idea from the concept as it worked just the way I wanted it to. Once I fix that it should work better.
Then there is the shape of the shoulder slope. It is a bit off and doesn't fit as well as it should. I will be altering that for the next stage as well.
The first change that came was to the point the cowl/shoulder part of it came down to in the front. It caused the bottom to hang at an angle. I should have stuck with the original shape idea from the concept as it worked just the way I wanted it to. Once I fix that it should work better.
Then there is the shape of the shoulder slope. It is a bit off and doesn't fit as well as it should. I will be altering that for the next stage as well.
The back of the cape looks exactly as I pictured it. The length will allow for a short train effect on the doll and the point of the hood is just the right length. I won't be altering that part at all, but a small tassel would look great there.
This is the point I am at right now. I will be posting more as the work continues.
This is the point I am at right now. I will be posting more as the work continues.