The NorthWesternBelle

So, round about the 10th of last month I started writing a post that never got completed. That's NOT going to happen this time! At least, you know, I hope not. It's the busy season at my full-time gig, so down time available for blogging is hard to come by. You will be happy to hear that we've only been neglecting the blog so far in 2015. We've been keeping plenty busy with custom cape orders and a couple of custom afghans. I've also resumed my weekly appointment to play in the mud thanks to my amazing hubby. More on that later! First, custom order recap. Early in January I received a message through Facebook asking about making custom capelets for some professional cosplayers. We had black fabric on hand, so the construction was inexpensive and quick! They ordered three elbow length black capelets with oversized hoods, and the always-amazing Taiza P. was actually able to create two extra! They need to be photographed and listed for sale...I'll get around to...

In January 2015 I received an inquiry on Etsy about producing a custom burlap cape. The question came in through the listing for our gold-threaded burlap cape , and the client wanted one done in black. The amazing Taiza P was able to recreate the pattern of the gold cape pretty closely, but opted to add some length. When she was done, she all but gushed about how it is the best cape she's ever made! And boy, did it turn out spectacularly. The pictures, not so much, but I assure you: the cape is awesome. Are you looking for a cape to complete your costume? Message us with the specifics of what you want. We can create a cape in any color/fabric combination imaginable, and aim to do so for the lowest possible cost! Thanks for looking! Always Yours, The NWB

So, the day (literally) that our cape inventory came online, my good friend Missy messaged me on Facebook about a custom Ruby Red from Once Upon a Time cape. Now, OUAT has been on my Netflix watchlist forever, but I haven't actually started watching it (boo, I know. I'm fired). So, I googled it found the following: This cape is serious business! Of course, the costume designers and some bloggers have the resources to get their hands on this $27/yard brocade fabric. We, decidedly, did not! Though Missy was willing to pay the hefty price, actually replicating this cloak would be a LOT of work. Ms. Confessions of a Seamstress even says it: she had to surge all of the edges to keep this stuff from fraying. Not my idea of a great time, and the serger we have access to is actually about an hour away. So, not practical or economical. With labor it would have been about $400. That's a LOT for a Halloween costume. So, we went in search of the perfect imitation fabric--the...

Time is running out to get 25% off all pre-made capes on Etsy with Coupon Code CAPEDWONDER! We've sold a few over the last couple of weeks, but there are plenty more to be had! Check them out: The blood-stained model: two of these available, both extra long with button and loop closures.  There's one of these wrinkle-free, light-gray polyester capes with black ribbon tie remaining in stock! Measures 45" from neckline. Two collared black capes in stock, perfect for any Vampire costume! One long (pictured), one short. One of these beautiful apricot hooded capes left in stock! Lace detail and white ribbon tie closure. All of these lovely capes and more are available on Etsy , courtesy of our lovely and talented seamstress, Taiza P. She is so great. So great, in fact, that she makes custom capes, too! There's still time to order a custom-made cape or cloak in time for Halloween! In fact, I'll be blogging about our most recent cust...

I love October. I do! It's true. I love it a lot because it means that a) I can start wearing comfy sweaters again and b) HALLOWEEN is coming! And this October I've got a new reason to love it: sales! On Tuesday of last week (September 30) I told Taiza P. that the first pre-made cape would sell on Etsy before the end of the week. And I was right! It's like I've got ESPN or something. We actually sold two capes; this lovely sheer striped one that Taiz made a few years back: And the custom Skeletor cape was paid for and shipped out. I might love this picture of my hot hubby modeling it for us too much. He was pretty stoked that we were making a Skeletor cape. Also, I ended up making TWO (yes, TWO) mini Death Star Plushes last week. I really love making them, and can pretty much get one completed in a day (granted my three year old can be persuaded to entertain himself). On my first mini death star I stitched the trench in with the details. On the one ab...

The NWB received its first custom order request this weekend! We received a message on Friday afternoon about creating a custom cape in purple burlap. It's going to be for a Skeletor costume, which makes me ridiculously happy! I knew my nerdy people would find us eventually! The customer sent me two photos for reference (as if I needed them!) Without any on hand, Taiza P. and I headed out in search of purple burlap at our local fabric stores. Unfortunately, we had no luck. Fortunately, though, Taiza did have a perfectly purple polyester on hand, which she turned into this cape in record time: My hubby was kind enough to be our Tough Guy model :) This cape is much lighter than a burlap one would be, and is going to be easier to wear. We figured that even if our Skeletor client didn't want it, someone would, but the consensus opinion is that this is perfect for Skeletor! As luck would have it, the client likes this one! It is definitely going to be less scratchy...

The lovely and very talented Taiza P. has created a whole lot of handmade costume capes for the NWB's Halloween inventory ! They are each unique and there are many styles available. Lined & Hooded Cloak in Gold-Threaded Burlap Black Cape with Straight Collar - Two Available! All of these and more are available now on Etsy! Sheer Black with Hood , 3 available! Wrinkle-free Gray Polyester with Hood , 2 available! Apricot & Lace Hooded Cape , 2 available! Blood-Stained Gray Hooded Cloak , 2 available! Silver Lame Hooded Cape with Black Stitching , extra long Silver Lame Hooded Cape Reversible Silver Lame and White Lace Hooded Cape Sheer Pinstriped Hooded Cape We also do custom capes! In fact, we made one over the weekend for a Skeletor costume. Stay tuned for the post about that project! Thanks for looking, Loves! Always Yours, The NWB