How to Make a 5-Cut Blanket Capote

As you may know, I am the host of a survival-themed television show on The Weather Channel called SOS: HOW TO SURVIVE. The premise of that show revolves around studying real-life survival stories, recounting them to the audience, and revealing the teaching moments within them. Season 3 presented me with a story about a couple stranded in their car on a snowy road high in the Nevada mountains. Unfortunately, it is a tragic story. The guy left the vehicle to find help. After a few days, fearing the worst, the girl left to find help as well. She would ultimately find her partner frozen to death in the middle of the road.

Hypothermia, due to being under dressed, is a brutal adversary. I’ve often said that the ability to properly dress oneself for the environment at hand is quite possibly the most important outdoor survival skill.

The couple in the story had few supplies, but among them was a blanket. They tried to use it under their tire as a traction-gaining mechanism, but it didn’t work. While developing the skill scenes for the episode covering this story, I couldn’t help but think of the old Hudson Bay Wool Blanket Capotes that were so sought after by early Canadian and American trappers, as well as the indigenous peoples.

These knee-length capotes were made from the famous wool blankets Full length view of Creek wearing the 5-Cut Blanket Capote. manufactured by the Hudson Bay Company. Not only did these colorful blankets make beautiful jackets, but they were incredibly functional in the harsh northern winter trapping climates—even preferred over the traditional fur jackets by many in that time period.

Although the blanket in this story wasn’t wool, I thought of how helpful it would have been if the couple could have fashioned something similar to a Hudson Bay Capote from it to help keep them warm while attempting self-rescue in frigid, winter conditions.

Below is a step-by-step process for making what I’ve coined a 5-Cut Blanket Capote. It’s modeled after the Hudson Bay Capote (hoodless) and can be made from any blanket by making 5 simple cuts with a knife. No sewing equipment, patterns, needles, or threads are necessary—just a blanket and a cutting tool.

The 5-Cut Blanket Capote

STEP 1 STEP 2

Next, mark 3 cut lines for the neck hole and sleeves. The neck hole should be in the direct Start by folding the blanket in half. center, on the top along the folded line. I made this mark about 5 inches long.

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STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

The second sleeve measurement is for arm length. I measured in roughly 15 inches from the edge of the For the sleeves, I measured down on each side about About an inch above the sleeve line marks, make a series of 1-inch marks the entire blanket for sleeve length. My arms are longer than 15 13 inches. I wanted nice, roomy sleeves for layering. length of what will be the sleeve cut. These should be 1–2 inches apart, and you’ll end inches, but I wanted slightly shorter sleeves. up with anywhere from 8–10 marks. These marks will be cut in Step 7 for the sleeve lashing holes.

STEP 6 STEP 7 STEP 8

Cut through both layers of blanket along each of the sleeve cut Cut through both layers of blanket along the sleeve lashing Cut along the neck hole line through both layers of blanket. lines. Be sure to keep both layers aligned. holes. Be sure to keep both layers aligned.

STEP 9 STEP 10

Now, along the very bottom (no fold line) of the blanket, make 2 horizontal cuts across the entire width of the capote from left to right (cut through both layers of blanket). The first cut should be approximately 2 inches from the bottom and the second cut should be approximately 3 inches Here is a bird’s eye view of the capote at this stage, with all necessary cuts made. from the bottom. This will yield 4 long, thin pieces of blanket, two of which are 2 inches wide and 2 that are 1-inch wide. The 2-inch wide strips will be used as belts and the 1-inch wide strips will be used to lace each sleeve. More 2-inch belts can be cut from the bottom of the blanket if girth is an issue.

This product is authorized for private use only. All other rights are reserved. Unless expressly authorized by law or in writing by copyright owner, any copying distribution or any other use of this product or 2 How to Make a 5-Cut Blanket Capote any part of it is strictly prohibited. Unauthorized distribution or reproduction may result in severe criminal and civil penalties. How to Make a 5-Cut Blanket Capote

STEP 11 STEP 12

Belts and lacing strips in place and sides of capote folded in. Now you can really see the form of the To lace the sleeve, feed one of the 1-inch strips of blanket through the 2 lacing holes at capote coming together. the armpit area of the capote. It should be fed through so you have two equal tails.

STEP 13 STEP 14 STEP 15

Now, using an X lacing pattern, exactly like you would lace a Pull the laces snug but not too tight, otherwise the sleeve will Continue lacing the entire length of the sleeve. pair of tennis shoes, start lacing the strips of blanket through bunch. the lacing holes.

STEP 16 STEP 17

Close-up view of the lacing after complete. Notice the OVER-UNDER X pattern. Finish the lacing by tying the legs together at the wrist with a couple of overhand knots.

STEP 18 At this point, the 5-Cut Blanket Capote is finished and ready to wear. The sides (wings) of the capote are left unlaced and are simply folded across in front or behind (or both) the user’s body to provide additional layering and warmth for the core. The core is the most important part of the body to keep warm in a cold weather scenario, because it houses all of your vital organs. The 2 belts are used to hold them in place on the body. One belt should be tied at the waist and the other between the stomach and the armpits.

PRACTICALITY & DURABILITY IN THE FIELD Rarely is there a bit of survival know-how that is easy to execute and has potentially life-saving properties. The 5-Cut Blanket Capote is one of those rarities. I have no doubt that a 5-Cut Blanket Capote, such as this one, could have made a world of difference in regulating core body temperature for the couple in the tragic story that inspired this skill sheet.

Notice how the “wings” are folded. One set is folded to the front and one set is folded to the back, to maximize core warmth. These are held in place by the two fabric belts, one at the waist and the other just under the chest.

Whether you’re making it for fun, fashion, or survival, the 5-Cut Blanket Capote is a potentially life-saving garment worth knowing how to make. As described, one can easily be made with a fleece throw in under 30 minutes. With a little creativity (and a little more sewing), a fine hood and a cozy pair of kangaroo pockets could be fashioned from one or two of the fabric wings. Making one from a wool blanket would kick it up another notch in terms of the cool factor, truly harkening back to the Hudson Bay Capotes from the “Mountain Man Era.” Who knows, my next big debut may be at Back view of 5-Cut Blanket Capote. New York’s Fashion Week. CREEK’S CAPOTES—I can see it now!

This product is authorized for private use only. All other rights are reserved. Unless expressly authorized by law or in writing by copyright owner, any copying distribution or any other use of this product or 4 How to Make a 5-Cut Blanket Capote any part of it is strictly prohibited. Unauthorized distribution or reproduction may result in severe criminal and civil penalties.