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How to Make a Super Hero Cape

1 serger + 1 yard fabric = 2 super hero capes

In case anyone with a serger wants to make super easy, super fast, super hero capes. It's cheap too. 1 yard of symphony broadcloth on sale for $1.99, felt .25 and a roll of ribbon .99, for a grand total of $1.65 per cape!!

If you don't have a serger, see option two at the end.

For 2 capes, you'll need:
1 yard of lightweight cotton fabric
40 inches of ribbon cut into four-10 inch lengths
1 piece of felt (I used that new recycled eco-felt, also found at JoAnns)
A serger
thread (multi-color or coordinating color
regular sewing machine
drafting compass (or string/ruler & pencil )

Diagram is not exactly to proportion

1. Fold the fabric into quarters (you will be cutting two capes at one time). Use the diagram above and cut out capes. I used a pencil and string to make my own drafting compass for the rounded bottom and this for the neck. This fancy contraption would work too (I secretly want one of these).

2. Set your serger on rolled hem setting and hem around all edges - neck, sides and bottom. Repeat on second cape.

3. Cut out 4 felt strips (2 for each cape), 2 x 4 inches each. Round off one edge on each strip. Now cut 4 squares, roughly 1 x 1 inch and trim with pinking shears if desires. Place square over ribbon edge and sew onto strip. Sew other end of strip onto cape with a simple zig-zag stitch on a regular sewing machine.

Option one:

Add a circle of white fabric to back with double-sided iron-on interfacing. Stitch around the edge and let the kids decorate with markers or colored pencils.

Option two:

If you don't have a serger, you can do a rolled hem on a regular sewing machine by doing a double fold along the edge, press and then sew. Or you can make one cape out of both pieces by sewing them together along the side and bottom edges, leaving the neck open to turn right side out. Use bias tape to close up the neck.

Now watch your kiddos S O A R ! ! !

You might also like this version of a super hero cape from The Long Thread. A child's chef hat and apron also make cute gifts for kids!

Updating...

The One Hour Bag

This is the new bag I made to take back to work this term. It took less than an hour from choosing the fabric to dumping my junk in it. In fact this tutorial took waaaayyy longer than the bag ! (the colours are great in real life but the orange doesn't photograph very well - sorry )

This pattern is on a piece of A4 paper so I'm sure you can work it out from that. It needs to be placed in the fold of your fabric as marked.

You will need:

Using the pattern piece and cutting on the fold of your fabrics.

2 pieces in your handbag fabric

2 pieces in your lining fabric

2 pieces in wadding or batting to give your bag a bit of body.

1 magnetic purse snap (optional)

2 x 6 1/2 inch squares of fabric for the pocket (optional).

2 strips of fabric 3 inches x approx 29 inches for the strap

1 strip of wadding about 2 1/2 inches by 29

2 large Buttons

Start with the pocket. Place your squares right sides together and sew around 1/4 in ch in from the edge. Leave a gap for turning (maybe 3 inches). Snip off the corners being careful not to cut your stitching.

Turn right sides out through the gap. . You might like to iron it. I like to do one line of stitching across what will be the top of the pocket but that is just for looks.

Pin your pocket to the right side of one of your bag linings. Sew around the sides and bottom of your pocket being sure to catch the gap you had for turning in your stitching.

I like to do two lines - looks good and adds a bit of strength too.

Now put your other lining piece right sides together with the pocketed one and sew around the bag, again leaving a turning gap at the bottom.

Take your bag fabric pieces and affix your wadding or batting to the wrong side of each piece (if it is fuseable). You need to sew all these four pieces at the same time. Your fabrics need to be right side together with the wadding on the outer of each. (check out the pic above if it doesn't make sense) Pinning might help stop these from moving too much.

Sew around the sides and base of the bag with a 1/4 inch seam. You may want to clip the corners , this will help your curves be nice and smooth and curvacious. Turn the bag right side out.

Now with the bag right side out- slip it into your lining. (This means you will have the right sides of your lining where the pocket is, against the right sides of the bag.)

Sew around the top opening of the bag.

Turn it all right side out through the gap in the bottom of the lining. Then tuck the lining inside the bag, smoothing it as you go. Pin around the top and topstitch.

This is when I like to add magnetic snaps. Putting your hand inside the bag through the lining gap you can poke your snaps through and affix them. Some people like to put a little circle of cardboard on the inside but just use a scrap of wadding or wadding reinforced with some interfacing.

Then that is it for the bag , you can hand sew or machine sew the gap in the lining closed.

The strap is super easy- Just place your pieces right sides together and sew along the length of the strip on both sides. You could add your wadding at this stage and sew it in but my fabric is a bit thick so it will be hard to turn, so I didn't add it yet.

Turn right sides out so you have a long tube. Then using a safety pin I just thread in a long strip of wadding for body.

Tuck in your ends, either on an angle or straight across and topstitch all around, ,making sure you catch the ends into your sewing.

Sew the strap to the bag - you can do this by hand or machine - add some buttons for decoration and you are done.

Obviously you can jazz this up as much as you want - maybe patchwork some fabric together first, add some trims, super easy and versatile ! Hope you like it!

You might also be interested in this simple reversible tote , zippered pouch and pocket tissue holder.

Welcome to our Bake, Craft & Sew Along!  Please skip on over to According to Kelly to see a crafty inspired gift and  A Southern Fairytale for edible yumminess that will be perfect this holiday season.

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Crayon Holder Apron

What was I talking about? Oh yes, the apron.

I began with 3 rectangles:

- 6 X 16 1/2"

- 8 X 16 1/2"

- 3 X 44"

After cutting my rectangles, I folded the pocket piece (6 X 16 1/2") in half lengthwise, and pinned it to the bottom edge of the larger rectangle, folded side facing up.

Starting 1 1/4" from the right side, I began sewing the sections 1" apart. This will give you 16 openings with 1 1/4" on each end.

To finish the edges, I used a double fold bias tape around the sides and bottom.

I wanted to create a gathered look, but was worried how the vinylized cloth would look if I tried to ruffle it. Luckily, using a basting stitch (an extra-long stitch) I was able to pull the thread and create a gathered waist just like I would with any other fabric (finished width: 12").

Taking my 3 X 44" piece, I ironed the long edges in and then in half to create the sash. (notice that I did not use the vinyl on my sash, because I wanted it to be easy to tie).

After pinning the sash by folding it over the top of the skirt, I stitched it down and continued to sew along the edges of the rest of the sash.

My budding artist loves her new apron. And since she has been showing maturity with her art supplies, I inserted miniature markers into each slot, but they are perfectly sized for crayons as well.

You might also be interested in a crayon roll(don't miss all the updates at the bottom), felt crayon and notepad holder , a drawing pad and colored pencil holder or a fabric covered steno pad.

Now it is your turn to link up your best handmade gift ideas!