A bridal cape is a wonderful addition to any wedding gown, and a necessary one if you are getting married in the winter or cooler fall months. You can save a lot of money by making your own bridal cape, and it is not as difficult as you might think. You will need to have basic sewing skills for this project.

Measure your wedding gown length and the widest portion of the skirt. Measure the height of your head from the base of your spine to the top of your head, taking into account measurement for the headpiece or veil you will wear.

Measure and cut your fabric to match the length of the wedding gown, with an additional 4 inches for seams.

Fold the fabric in half, and divide your width measurement of the gown by half. Measure and cut the fabric to match the width of the widest part of the gown, with an additional 2 inches for seams.

Sew the satin fabric to the main fabric you chose, creating a liner out of the satin. Hem the outer edges using a 1/2- to 1-inch seam.

Fold the cloak in half and line up the top edge and create a small, 1/2- to 1-inch seam to create a hood.

Use your head measurement from step one to determine the neckline of your cloak, measuring the fabric from the hood seam down. Here you will fold the fabric and sew to create an open seam or loop.

Add any additional lace, beads or trim to match the cloak to your dress. Run the silk rope through the open seam to create a drawstring, and use the clasp, brooch or slider to hold the rope in place.