Are you and your friend reenacting a particular culture/time period? Knowing exactly what point in history you're interested in would help others give you a more worthwhile response to your query.

A couple of thoughts -

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Since he isn't much of a sewer, I suggested a rectangular cloak.

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Instead, what about encouraging your friend to develop his/her sewing skills? Frankly, sewing a semi-circular cloak would be a decent first project for the non-sewer, and provide an excellent learning opportunity. Provided you cut your pieces out with some care, your friend would have difficulty messing it up beyond repair.

Secondly, if you guys are interested in historical reenactment, you would be well served to research extant garments from your time period, The Bocksten cloak would be an ideal place to start if you are interested in late 13th C. to perhaps early 15th C. clothing. Marc Carlson's site may be helpful: http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~marc-carlson/cloth/bockclok.html

If you guys are more interested in "histo-tainment" (as the Germans have begun calling it), then do a mock up with some cheap muslin until you get a look you are pleased with, then transfer the muslin pattern to the more expensive fabric. Be aware, however, that finishing the edges on a rectangular shape is not really any easier than on a semi-circular one.

Regards

"Instead, what about encouraging your friend to develop his/her sewing skills?"