Front Row with Friends & Neighbours

In this FREE workshop, you'll make your own Capote... so you'll be able to wear a piece of Métis history.

Capotes are Métis coats that were traditionally handmade from the point blanket, a wool blanket with short points, or stripes at the end.

These blankets were one of the trade items exchanged between the Métis and First Nations trappers, and the fur trade companies, Hudson's Bay Company, and the North West Company.

They were used because they are light, warm, and water repellent. It's a loose fitting garment, however, you can alter the pattern we'll supply to make a form fitting Capote if that's what you prefer.

Capote Pattern Sizes: Small Medium Large
Men: 36-38, 40-42, 44-46
Women 8 - 10, 12 - 14, 16 - 18
Finished Coat Length (approx) 34in, 41in, 44in
Finished Chest Circumference (approx) 45in, 49in, 53in

Note: These coats are made to be roomy for extra clothing to worn underneath, and warmth

We'll Provide:

• 60in x 84in Wool Blanket
• Capote Pattern (Sizes S, M, L); if you need something bigger, expand the largest Pattern
• Yarn (Wool)
  
• Sewing Needle (Tapestry Size 18 for blanket stitching; eye of the needle will accommodate the yarn)
• Light Meal
• Non-Alcoholic Beverage (Mango Lassi)
• Humour
• Music to keep you energized
• A Smudge before you start creating
• No Judgement of your Creation

You Bring:

• A pair of Scissors
• Measuring Tape
• Seam Ripper (optional)
• Your own blanket if you need a larger size than the 60in x 84in blanket we're offering
• Good Energy
• Sense of Humour
• Collaborative Spirit (supporting fellow participants)
• Your own Water Bottle
• Your own Food/Snacks to suit your own Nutritional/Medical/Cultural/Spiritual needs

With your own DIY Capote, you’ll have a story to tell, and rebirth a lost heritage while re-purposing a wool blanket with a new life.

• Share her crafting skills
• Guide you on making your own Capote
• Tell you about her Métis ancestry that’s connected to the Hudson’s Bay Company 
  • She’ll bring her genealogy info that’s dated back to the 1700’s
• As a bonus, she’s bringing a Hudson’s Bay blanket (that’s about 100 years old) -- It’s been in her family for a long time, so you can see (and maybe feel) a piece of history in this workshop

• Connect with a participant you met at the workshop to finish your Capote
• Add fringes to your Capote, and/or other add-ons

We look forward to having you join us for this cultural immersion!

Kent