Capote

[le Voyageur]

OGE has asked for a wee bit of help on items covering the early French fur trade era. So, I'll be posting several threads to cover this request.

 

One of the first items of wear that could be tackled is the making of a capote, easy to make requiring only basic hand sewing skills. The stitch of choice being the simple blanket stitch.

Unlike the mountainman capte seen worn on buckskinners, the French Canadian capote is much simpler and more basic...no fringe, and much shorter.

 

For blankets, Sierra Trading Post sells a Czech blanket, natural in colour with blue stripes. Currently these are on sale at $13 apiece. Two will be needed for an adult size capote. However, there will be enough left over for leggings, and mittens...3 blankets should make 2 capotes for scouts age 13/14...

 

For the pattern, use the Eagle View pattern (#90) which can be found at Track of the Wolf http://www.trackofthewolf.com

(this is a buckskinner pattern, but very easy to alter, and adjust to a French Canadian capote).

 

Now for a bit of homework...I like to rferance the paintings of Cornelius Krieghoff...

 

http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/krieghoff_cornelius.html

 

go to Paintings in Museums and Galleries and click on National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa (first one on top...)

 

see...

Indian Wigwam in Lower Canada

The River Road

The Toll Gate

Indians in Snowy Landscape

Huntr in Wintr

Indian Woman Crossing Frozen River

The Ice Bridge at Lonque-Pointe

The Blizzard

 

Layout, cuttin and hand sewing will take a few hours over serveral days to complete, consider around 12 to 18 hours to be the norm.

For sewing, use a heavy cotton yarn and a doll maker's needle (found at Wal Mart) to join the fabric...