How to Make a Cape for a Doll

A cape is the easiest piece of doll clothing to make - and it's also the most versatile. Pick a color and turn your child's doll into Supergirl or the Wicked Witch of the East (or make the cape reversible for a quick change!).

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Ribbons Or Yarn
• Beads
• Fabric Glue
• Fabric Paints
• Fabrics
• Glitter
• Irons
• Needle Threaders
• Needles
• Pins
• Sewing Machine
• Scissors
• Drafting Compasses
• Threads Or Glue

Making the Cape

1. Measure and cut out a circle with a diameter twice as long as you want the cape to be.

2. Fold the circle in quarters and cut the corner off in a curve (just a tiny little piece, especially if it's a small doll) to make the neck hole.

3. Unfold the circle and lay it out flat on your work space (it should look like a very fat doughnut with a tiny hole).

4. Cut one slit from the edge to the hole to make the front opening.

5. Finish all edges with a narrow hem or with fabric glue to prevent unraveling (if you're using felt, you don't need to hem).

6. Glue or sew pieces of yarn or ribbon to the edges of the neck hole; they should be long enough to tie in a bow.

Hemming

1. Turn over 1/4 inch and press (you'll need to clip the curved edges - making tiny cuts straight in from the edge every 1/2 inch or so - to get the neck edge and bottom edge to lie flat).

2. Machine stitch.

Making a Reversible Cape

1. Follow steps 1 to 4 with both fabrics so that you have two identical circles.

2. Place the circles right sides together and pin.

3. Sew around all sides, leaving a 2-inch opening in the bottom center of the circle's outer edge for turning.

4. Clip the curved seam allowances (neck and cape bottom) by making tiny cuts into the seam allowance (making sure not to clip the stitching) so that the edges will lie flat.

5. Turn the cape right side out and press.

6. Sew up the opening by hand.