cape tutorial

Here's a tutorial for how to sew a costume cape. 
It can be adjusted to fit children or adults of any size 
and features a velcro neck closure for safety.   

Enjoy!    

Step 1: Select Fabric

If you're going for the superhero look,

you'll want something shiny like satin.

Anything else would do, though!

Measure from shoulder to floor to 

determine length of cape fabric.

Round up to the nearest 1/4 yard

and add 1/3 yard for cutting yardage.

This will allow enough fabric for squaring

the edges and creating a neck band.

Step 2: Measure Neck

Add 5 inches for seam allowances

and closure attachments.

This will be the length of the neck band.

Step 3: Cut Cape Rectangle

Use the selvedges as the side edges of the cape.

Cut a strip the length of the measurement (step 1) from 

neck to floor. For this example, I used 34 inches.

Step 4: Cut Neck Band

Cut a strip of fabric 3 inches wide by the number
of inches calculated in step 2.

Step 5: Cut Interfacing

Cut a strip of interfacing roughly the same size

as the neck band.

Step 6: Iron Interfacing to Neck Band

Make sure to iron the interfacing to the 

Wrong Side of the neck band. 

On satins, this will be the less shiny side.

Set neck band aside.

Step 7: Iron Sides (selvedges) Under 1/4"

Take care when ironing. The iron should be 

set to "synthetics" if satin is in use so as not

to scorch the material. Mine, however, changed color

when hot and then returned to normal on cooling.

Step 8: Roll and Sew

Turn the ironed edge under once more

and hold in place while sewing down this

hem. Use a scant 1/4" seam.

Step 9: Sew Under Bottom Hem

Follow steps 7 & 8 to iron and sew

the hem at the bottom of the cape.

Fold the ends under at an angle 

for mitered corners.

Step 10: Gather Top Edge 

Choosing a long stitch, baste across the raw

fabric along the top, about 3/8" from edge.

Leave threads long on both ends.

Grasp the front thread on one end and 

gently pull on it while pushing fabric 

toward the center of the cape. This will 

gather fabric to fit the neck band. Repeat

with the front thread on the other end.

Step 11: Arrange Gathered Edge

Spread gather evenly across top edge. 

Adjust to fit across center of neck band.

Step 12: Pin Cape to Neck Band

Align top edge of cape with a long edge

of the neck band, Right Sides Together.

Gathered edge of cape should be 3-4 inches

in from ends of neck band and roughly centered.

Step 13: Sew Cape to Neck Band 

Baste cape to neck band with 1/4" seam allowance.

Reduce stitch length and sew through gathered

edge and neck band again at a 1/2" seam allowance.

Step 14: Fold Down Top Edge of Neck Band

Iron down at 3/8" to crease, then unfold.

Now fold in the opposite direction so that 

right sides are together and the long top and

bottom edges are aligned.

Step 15: Sew Short Ends of Neck Band

Sew a 1/4" seam along the short ends of neck

band. Turn the corner and sew toward the 

gathered cape, stopping about an inch away.

Step 16: Turn Neck Band Right Side Out

Push corners square by pressing 

scissors, bone folder, or other sharpish

object into the corners.

Step 17: Top Stitch Neck Band 

Sew a 1/8" top stitch to close the neck band

over the gathered cape. Continue this top stitch

all the way around the four edges of the neck band.

Step 18: Attach Velcro

Cut 2-3 inches of 1" wide hook and eye tape.

Sew the soft tape on the front side of 

one end of the neck band and the rough tape on

the back side of the other end of the neck band

so that they attach when overlapped. 

Sew with a 1/8" seam allowance all the way

around the four edges of the velcro.

Step 19: Trim Loose Threads

Look over cape and trim any remaining threads.

Step 20: Put On Cape

It's time to rule the world!!!