Casgliadau Arlein

Cloak worn by Mhara Starling. Collected as part of the Ours to Tell project 2023/2024.

Home-made, hooded cloak made from brown synthetic velvet and lined with a teal-coloured sheer chiffon fabric made from synthetic fibre. Hood has a single seam from centre front to centre back of head, where the fabric is gathered and covered by a self-fabric covered flat button (Ø3cm). Lower edge of hood is stitched over the upper edge of the cloak by encapsulating the edge (resulting in a raised ridge along the neck line). Cloak is gathered into that seam by pleats which change direction at the shoulders and at centre back. The cloak is fastened with 12cm long strips of 2.5cm wide green velcro which have been stitched vertically down the upper centre front opening (at neck). One large tuck in the Velvet at proper right side of hem, presumably to make it match the length of the lining. All machine stitched with brown thread on the outside and paler thread on the inside.