Middle Earth Ranger Forum

So a very very long time ago somewhere I posted my very rough instruction sheet on how I made my cloak (made with MS Word shapes). And for the longest time the clasping system I was using was two buttons and a small chain wrapped around them holding it around my neck, though I never cared for it, and I care even less for the over the shoulder pinning. When I get hot I like to toss the cloak over my shoulders and not worry about gagging when I do so I tried my hand at a Game of Thrones styled cloak with the shoulder straps.

I ordered two cheapo leather belts from Wish.. yeah I know but it was a pinch, and I cut the buckles off. I stitched the leather to the shoulder portions on my cloak and replaced the normal belt buckle with one that uses tension as opposed to holes and a pin to hold it. My cloak rests on my back and shoulders much like a backpack, though the only issue I found was the straps would either have to be so ridiculously tight that I might as well have left the buttons on, or when I got them comfortable, I couldnt move or theyd fall down my arms. Solution? I run the straps through a small leather loop that holds the "X" in the correct spot and doesnt let the straps slide anywhere. Now I can throw my cloak over my shoulder and still have it be nice and flow-y on my back, nor am I being choked

Pics soon.

I also want to add a lining to it to liven it up a little but thats another project in itself.

I would like to see a pics..because Im also playing with this idea but right now I have only the light linen cloak and for this is not wery usefull but I can imagine comfort with something havier like wool.

But I have couple questions...
how it works with quiver or bedroll straps?
Do you use softer or thicker leather?
How did you make a clasp at the back because my biggest concern is the buckle digging in to my back when I use quiver or bedroll

I'm curious to hear those answers to.

I do rather like the northerner's cloak fastening - it's just so iconically GoT that I've not tried one.

For what it's worth, aaaages ago I did a cloak that fastened in the back, roughly modeled on the Prologue Elven Army cloaks - the difference was that the cloak fastenings passed under the arms on the same side, rather than crossing across the check. It too was remarkably stable, and I don't think would have any more or less issues with a quiver than a regular cloak. That said, the way it left the front entirely open was great for a decorative costume element, but rather defeated the purpose of the coak as a clothing item - looks lke the GoT cloaks don't have that issue, yes?

Scarxik wrote:
how it works with quiver or bedroll straps?
Do you use softer or thicker leather?
How did you make a clasp at the back because my biggest concern is the buckle digging in to my back when I use quiver or bedroll

As for a quiver, I have a little slot cut out of the cloak itself that I also attached a flap to cover it when I dont have my quiver on. I just take the strap from my quiver and pass it through my cloak then reclipping it in the front.

The belts like I said were like $5 leather belts from Wish so they are relatively soft but they can hold up pants so why not a cloak?

The clasp actually isnt in the back, it attaches at the side for easier access when Im alone. It rests just a little behind where my arm rests so for it to rub I dont even feel it.

Sorry in advance for the shit quality pics. I didn't have any helpers to get decent shots and my phone wouldnt focus right for some reason.

Just Standing http://prntscr.com/glnl5m
Fasteninghttp://prntscr.com/glnk4y
Cloak & Quiver 1http://prntscr.com/glnkfk 2http://prntscr.com/glnkp4
Thrown Completely Back http://prntscr.com/glnkvr
Hooded http://prntscr.com/glnl9z

Behold!! The Bathroom Mirror Ranger!

I dig it. I've been wanting to make a Jon Snow costume for quite a while, and I have all the stuff to make his Night's Watch cloak, but I haven't gotten to it just yet. I love the idea of the strap closures they use on the show, and having worn one a couple times before, I must say it's quite comfy. But like Elleth, I've shied away from doing it with Middle Earth gear because it sort of screams Westeros to my eye. Still, I think it can totally work if incorporated right. Yours turned out great!