How to Sew a Ninja Hood

Ninjas are a popular costume for boys at Halloween and all year 'round.

Historical ninjas didn't wear the hooded mask that is a familiar image from movies and television, but a ninja costume wouldn't be complete without one. This simple, flexible design can be adjusted for kids or adults, and it requires only one seam and no hemming.

Things You'll Need

• 3/4-yard black jersey
• 2 pipe cleaners
• Chalk
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Thread

Instructions

1. Twist the ends of the pipe cleaners together to make one long length. Lay the pipe cleaners so that the end of one is at the center of your forehead and then bend them around so that they follow the curve over the top of your head and down the back of your neck. Kink the wire of the pipe cleaner at the spot where a T-shirt collar would fall, a few inches down from the bottom of the neck. Lay the bent pipe cleaners aside carefully to preserve the curve in the wire.

2. Cut two strips 4 inches tall by the full width of the fabric. Fold the remaining fabric in half so that the selvedges are matched up. Lay the curved pipe cleaners on the folded fabric with the kink for the back of the neck on the selvedge and the tip of the wire just touching the cut edge of the fabric.

3. Mark a chalk line around the curve of the pipe cleaners. Add a 1 1/2-inch seam allowance around the curve and cut out the pattern.

4. Lay out the first hood piece with the right side of the fabric up. Match up the two long scarf pieces with right sides together and lay them on top of the hood piece with the bottom edge of the scarf along the bottom edge of the hood and the end against the back of the hood. Lay the second hood piece on top of the tack with the wrong side of the fabric up. Pin along the back curve.

5. Stitch the curved line of the hood with a wide, short zig-zag stitch. Stretch the fabric slightly as you sew and back stitch both ends of the seam.

6. Turn the hood right-side out and try it on. Wrap the long scarf ends across your nose and mouth to create the mask section and tie the ends at the back of the neck.

Tips & Warnings

• Woven fabrics are not recommended for this pattern because knits stretch, making it less dangerous to wrap across the nose and mouth.

• Don't tie the scarf too tightly in back; a loose knot will hold well.

References

• Simplicity: Ninja Hood and Mask Free Sewing Project
• Fabric Link: Velcro Basic Hood Pattern
• Ninpo.org: About Ninpo
• Clotilde: Hooded Scarf Pattern

Resources

• Jo-Ann Fabric
• Hancock Fabrics
• Fabric.com