Gold HB and cinnamon bear capote.

I got my pattern yesterday and probably will start the layout tomorrow.
I'll throw this out for a question, this will be a caped style with no hood.
Should I back the bear hide cape with the same wool or use waterproof canvas as the backing? The cape will be turned down so none of the backings will really show.

I would use the wool lining for warmth across the shoulders.

appalichian hunter said:

I would use the wool lining for warmth across the shoulders.

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I was thinking that in the beginning also but I'm not sure the bear skin wouldn't be enough for that.

I'll put this out there also, would you put leather fringe around the outside edge of the cape? That fringe would be the only place on the capote, none on the sleeves or elsewhere.

Can’t give any advice since I’ve never tackled such a project. But I’ll be looking forward to your progress!

TDM said:

Can’t give any advice since I’ve never tackled such a project. But I’ll be looking forward to your progress!

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I've made several buffalo coats this one will be a picnic by compression. I've never really asked for opinions before I've started a project and most but not all have turned out as I thought they would. Well at least the projects sold well at the rendezvous. But I like hearing what other people think and would do.

I started cutting the pattern this morning seems simple enough.
Considering I'm making this for myself I'll make sure the sleeves are cut to my length, I've seen way too many capotes where the sleeves had to roll up because they were too long.
I'll probably start with the cape that way I can get the bear fur done and out of the way.

Looking forward to seeing the photos.

I'll try and keep those that wish to see the progress up to date.
Cape first, I've decided to go ahead and put some leather fringe around the outside seam of the cape.

appalichian hunter said:

I would use the wool lining for warmth across the shoulders.

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From someone who has no clue:

Doesn't bear hair insulate like buffallo, or isn't it hollow ?

While I like the look of the hair outside, should it be made/worn with the hair inside ?

Pietro said:

From someone who has no clue:

Doesn't bear hair insulate like buffallo, or isn't it hollow ?

While I like the look of the hair outside, should it be made/worn with the hair inside ?

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Bear hair is solid, unlike members of the deer family. Bison is also solid. The hair inside or outside is more about appearance and personal choice, either way, it's warm. About the only hides I use with hair on the inside are shearling sheep.
I generally just go with the adage" Which way does the animal wear it".

Solid hair not hollow like a deer, if you line the skin side with wool that matches the capote I would leave the hair side out, I think it would look better. The other option would be make it detachable and that way you could switch it however you wanted.

appalichian hunter said:

Solid hair not hollow like a deer, if you line the skin side with wool that matches the capote I would leave the hair side out, I think it would look better. The other option would be make it detachable and that way you could switch it however you wanted.

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Hair out was pretty much my thinking. This capote pattern doesn't have a collar or hood so it might look a little odd with the cape detached, I have a canvas frock with a cape that detaches but it has a collar.

I'll be cutting the bear hide here shortly it's not wide or long enough to get a single-piece cape so I'll have to make two halves and seam them in the middle. The nice thing about hair on hides is you'll never see the seam due to the hair.

Hair out!

Definitely hair out, otherwise the cinnamon bear will never be seen. I'd want to line the cape. It might not show, but I'd know the capote was finished to a high standard.

RanchRoper said:

Hair out!

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Yup, I've got a very large grey wolf pelt I'd thought about using for a capote just haven't been able to bring myself to put a knife to it...

kansas_volunteer said:

Definitely hair out, otherwise the cinnamon bear will never be seen. I'd want to line the cape. It might not show, but I'd know the capote was finished to a high standard.

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I understand your point and I could do that, but here's the issue I've had with lining bison coats and capotes for the climate
here they become way too warm and very heavy. Sorta like they could only be worn comfortably on horseback.

I have a fox Capote.... Its so hot its like wearing THE SUN!