i have been trying to use my first tanned cape - i ordered a 63/4 by 18 - when cape arrived (short neck cut) it wouldn't even nearly fit over the form - i measured behind ears and the actual size was 16" - i sent cape back and it was replaced with another (full length cut) - this one measures the same 7 1/2 X 16" - i called seller and he tells me that the hide has streteched lengthwise during tanning and i should be able to make it up when i sew seam - he also says that he took original cape i sent back and placed it on 18" form and it fit perfectly - i do not understand this and seler did not want to explain - i do not understand this at all - i have been using dry preservative hides and have had no problem with durability but was trying to step up my quality
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T, Tanned capes - in fact any cape draws up when it dries. You need to rehydrate the cape first then stretch it out all over to regain it's orriginal size. A dry 16" sounds like an 18" cape to me. As for the length thing people often hang capes to finish drying after tumbling or store them hanging before shipping and a cape will stretch a little long. This length goes back where it needs to when you stretch the cape WIDTH ways. Good luck with the cape-I think you will like it better than DP once you get the process down-Aaron H.