Patchwork Leather Hooded Cloak

[Rev. Allen M. Drago ~ Traveler]

Someone was offering a box of ‘scrap’ to them leather just pay the postage. I figured it was a good idea. So, I asked for a box to be sent. Garment grade leather of different colors, types, textures and odd cut shapes arrived. But the one on top looked like a hood. Click went mind and from that moment the idea of a patchwork leather cloak was locked into the leather for it had shown what to become. Bad artist, letting things tell him what they want to be, bad artist. In some places they will lock you up for that.

So a few days, nights and choice words, later. A borrowed basic modern Singer sewing machine {the only type of machine I am allowed to use here, another story}. A small rectangle of a table which a standard door was placed to enlarge the working surface. Also a round Viking shield blank, a cut off from a particle sheet and a square of marble for a counter balance. With several old partial spools of miscellaneous thread. Used a “toothed” zigzag for most of the stich. A couple of 18 needles, yes it was the machine that ate them. Or was it the leather?  Finished with a 16 purple marked one. An old yellow Sharpe marker, folding rule and carpenter’s measuring tape. A piece of copper flat stock for a short run straight edge.  Two pair of Scissors one was my medical pair from my, boo boo box, the other a reenactment pair from china. After fighting through two pair that would not cut a damn. The Fiskars really need to be sharpened again and the cheap orange handled ones not typing the words used at or for them. My pocket knife and a razor blade {held in a pair of pliers} to cut with. A patchwork triangle cloak with a hood was made.

No true pattern, just an idea what or if. Just made the hood first and then went from there. The base line of the hood is 21 ½”, and is 14 ½” tall with a depth of 10”.

 The “triangle’ type shape is 8’across the bottom. Measuring off 16” from the center seam of the hood along the bottom edge of the closure flap. Which angles 6’ to bottom corner.  From center seam of bottom of hood to floor 5’.

 A fold over closure was made, with two loop slots. Currently have a bit of deer antler through the loops to secure it. Then again got a couple of tines as well might just rollover those cut ends, then drill and thread braid them, ummmm {brain stop it}. When or if can get to a forge will make a metal thingy for it, {I typed STOP BRAIN}. The edges are rolled and sewn as well, which ate needles.

A bored artist/crafter is a bad thing when restricted of what can make and with what is available. It fits my shoulders and hood is well enough for my likening, so for now will see how it goes. The rest of the leather, yes there is still more. Might become more book covers {patch worked, perhaps}, and a few simple flat two part draw string bags. But that will be in a day or so after this gets out of my head.

Things I was reminded of when doing this. Do not stick fingers near set screw for needle then put foot on peddle they get pinched several times before you can move. When having a cut one does not run the thread near that finger it will reopen it every time. If the scissors can cut leather {hide, skin} they will cut you as well, or at least the points will scratch your skin well enough for you to notice. Leather has a grain just like wood, but in patchwork it runs all different ways. So when wet and drying will be interesting. Yellow Sharpe marker does not show up on darker colored leather well if at all. Sewing machines do not work when you move it and it comes unplugged and it takes you a little bit to figure that out. But the foot thingy will work upside down when you least want it to. Thread on the bobbin will only last so long and will usually run out right at the point when you really need the seam to stay the way you have just run it under the needle. Also the same applies for a partly used spool of thread, and not paying attention to it running out. Straight seams are easy curved and bent ones suck in leather. Also do not cut till you are sure you are ready to, and then recheck just in case of stupid happening. Make sure you hold the thread when starting a new seam it runs away back up inside the machine and away from the needle quickly, if you don’t. But you get lots of practice threading a needle that way. HENCE A FEW CHOICE WORDS at times while doing this. My left thumb may heal yet, the other two fingers have.

 

[Rev. Allen M. Drago ~ Traveler]

[Rev. Allen M. Drago ~ Traveler]

[Rev. Allen M. Drago ~ Traveler]

[miyoko canter]

Ooooooooooooo nice!

[Black Angus Silverleaf]

Great work!

[Rev. Allen M. Drago ~ Traveler]

Thanks, I try to do things. When I can. As I can.

What you doing Angus? Type something up and show of things in your group.

Little one you making anything this spring?

[Linda Lee (McNeely) Alley]

A cloak of many colors. It is excellent work, Traveler. It is good to see you do things. :-)

[Rev. Allen M. Drago ~ Traveler]

When allowed to do things I try to. Been a fight here to be allowed. But have a few things made here. Not as many as I had hoped but a few.

[Elizabeth Freske]

either that is a lot of dust or the spirits are attracted to your piece of work Iam guessing most likely spirits because they seem a little more than random

 

[Elizabeth Freske]

sounds to me the brownies were working against you lol. that or the gremlins were fighting with the brownies again.

 

[Rev. Allen M. Drago ~ Traveler]

Tis an old converted Hotel I am within right now. Many things have taken place here.

Brownies or gremlins either one would be nice to leave the scissors where i place them and stop shortening the amount of thread I have on the spools and bobbins, and stop loosening the needle set screw.