In this FREE workshop, learn how to make your own Capote... wear a piece of Métis history, and make it your own.

Capotes are Métis coats (originating from France) that were traditionally handmade from wool blankets. They were used because they are light, warm, and water repellent.

In this workshop, you’ll make your own Capote coat with nothing more than wool blanket, and some supplies we’ll provide (i.e. yarn, a needle), and a couple of basic stitches. You can bring your own blanket, or use the one we'll provide which is 62 inches by 80 inches.

With your own DIY Capote, you’ll have a story to tell, and rebirth a lost heritage while re-purposing a wool blanket with a new life.

We'll be offering some food to give you energy during the workshop. Feel free to bring your own snacks to suit your own needs.

Helen Polack-Yin, your Métis facilitator will:

Share her crafting skills
Guide you on making your own Capote
Tell you about her Métis ancestry that’s connected to the Hudson’s Bay Company
- She’ll bring her genealogy info that’s dated back to the 1700’s
As a bonus, she’s bringing a Hudson’s Bay blanket (that’s about 100 years old)
- It’s been in her family for a long time, so you can see (and maybe feel) a piece of history in this workshop

After the Workshop, you can:

Connect with a participant you met at the workshop to finish your Capote
Add fringes to your Capote, and/or other add-ons

We look forward to having you join us for this cultural immersion!

DIY Capote Making