Cloak question

Fabric Warehouse also has stores in Bristol, PA and Belleview NJ (I think that's where the second Jersey store is).  They are my favorite store; in addition to wools, they have great upholstery fabrics and tapestries--at pretty good prices.  And if you layer, they have lots of lighter-weight fabrics that would be great for a cloak with warmer items underneath.

I've had a cloak for about six years now that's velvet lined with polar fleece. It has never failed to keep me warm!

Admittedly, it's a bit heavy when it gets wet.

Heavy, schmeavy - as long as one is warm.

Fabric Warehouse also has stores in Bristol, PA and Belleview NJ (I think that's where the second Jersey store is).  They are my favorite store; in addition to wools, they have great upholstery fabrics and tapestries--at pretty good prices.  And if you layer, they have lots of lighter-weight fabrics that would be great for a cloak with warmer items underneath.

It's on Main street in Belleville, NJ, and I like it even better than the Rahway one.

Bill Fredrich (sp?) got me 10 yards of black Blanket weight wool from Jomars $100 total. should make at least three nice sized wool cloaks

Wool is the very best material for an all purpose fall/winter cloak as it maintains insulating value while wet.  Really takes a hard rain to get wool soaked. the natural lanolin repells water extremely well

I spend a lot of time outdoors in the winter and wool is better even than down when a person does a lot of work, Down is okay for warmth but sweat can build up on the inside of the garment


Twill cotton and fleece on the other hand absorb water and that water then passes through right to your skin, Not good

I also teach winter survival and hypothermia prevention/treatment to the BSA

Jenny, Try this link to a pretty easy way to make a cloak

www.renfaireingleside.org/capes.html