How to Sew simple Super hero Cape

Save the day with this simple super hero cape. Simple sewing and cotton fabric make this cape easy enough for even beginners. In little over an hour your child can be wearing this cute little cape, perfect for daily dress up or Halloween.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• ½ - 1 yd Cotton Fabric
• Ruler or Yard stick
• Iron and Ironing Board
• Tailors Chalk or Marking Pen
• Pins
• Thread and needle or Sewing Machine
• Hook and Loop Closure

1. Measure your child. Determine the size of cape you will need. For a full length cape measure from the shoulders to the top of the ankles. For younger children I suggest a shorter cape, one that goes to the lower back. Width should be measured elbow to elbow. Add 1 inch all the way around for the seam allowance.

2. Choose your fabric. This is a child cape and meant to be used. So be sure its something that can be easily cleaned. A woven such as flannel works well for this project.

3. Launder your Fabric. Wash and Dry fabric alone twice on hot to ensure the fabric will not shrink or bleed in future use

4. Cut the fabric. Trim the salvage edges. Cut the fabric in a square or rectangle to the size you need. Be sure to cut straight lines.

5. Mark your fabric. Using tailors chalk or a disappearing ink fabric marker mark 1/2 inch all the way around your fabric. Again being sure to make straight lines.

6. Iron your Fabric. Iron over the edge of the fabric to the lines you have marked. Fold over once more and iron that in place.

7. Pin your Fabric. Pin your seam in preparation for sewing. Count your pins as you add them so when you take them out you can be sure you got them all.

8. Sew your Cape. Sew straight lines as close to the edge of the seam as possible. When you come to a corner sew all the way around and back stitch to get going in the correct direction again.

9. Add your hook and loop. You can buy sticky back hook and loop. Simply cut to size and stick on the corners of your cape. Or add by sewing into place. Add one side of the hook and loop to the wrong side of the cape and the other piece to the right side of the cape. This is so it fastens smoothly around the neck.

10. Enjoy your cape! Your littles ones are sure to love this at Halloween and all year round.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a layer of contrasting fabric to make this a reversible cape. Simply fold, iron and pin layers together then sew into place.
• Make a matching cape for a doll or action figure.
• Your child can not fly with this cape so be sure to tell them so.
• Fasten hook and loop closure before laundering to prevent snagging.

[kims3003]

on 12/12/2009 SUPER JOB