How to sew a superhero cape for kids in 45 minutes

To sew a superhero cape for kids, sew an outer layer and a contrast lining together around the edge, turn it right side out, topstitch, then add a hook-and-loop neck closure and an optional felt mask. The Sewzy Superhero Cape takes about 45 minutes and comes in three sizes for ages 1 to 12.

TL;DR

• The Sewzy Superhero Cape is a Premium beginner pattern in the app, about 45 minutes.
• Sizes: Toddler (1-3 years, 20 inches), Kid (4-7 years, 26 inches) and Big Kid (8-12 years, 32 inches).
• Fabric: ¾ yard (Toddler), 1 yard (Kid) or 1¼ yards (Big Kid) each of outer and lining, 45 inches wide.
• The neck closes with hook-and-loop tape so it pulls free if caught. Do not swap it for a tie.
• The pattern includes the cape, a mask and a felt emblem. Seam allowance is ⅜ inch (1 cm).

Neck safety

A cape sits around a child's neck, so the closure matters more than the style. Use hook-and-loop tape, which pulls apart with a tug, and never replace it with a tie, a button, a snug band or a drawstring. A cape is for supervised play only. Take it off before climbing, playing near stairs or sleeping, and never leave a child wearing one unattended.

What do I need to sew a superhero cape?

• Outer and lining: satin, poly-cotton, broadcloth, quilting cotton or fleece. Choose one color for the outer and a contrast for the lining so it flashes when it flies.
• Felt sheets: for the mask, the emblem and the star.
• Hook-and-loop tape: 1½ inches of 1 inch tape for the neck closure.
• Elastic: ¼ inch for the mask, sized to the head minus 2 inches.
• Thread, scissors and an iron.

What size superhero cape do I need?

Measure from the base of the neck down the back. The cape should end between the knee and the calf. If a child is between two sizes, take the longer one.

One yard of each makes about three Toddler capes, so a birthday party set is easy to cut from one purchase.

How do I sew a superhero cape, step by step?

1. Cut. Print your size and tape the tiles. The cape and mask are half pieces, so put the marked edge on the fold. Cut 1 cape from the outer and 1 from the lining, 2 masks from felt, and 1 emblem and 1 star from felt. Cut the mask elastic to length and mark the hook-and-loop squares on both neck tabs and the emblem box on the outer.
2. Add the emblem. Center the felt shield on the outer cape at the emblem mark and pin the star on top. Topstitch both down ⅛ inch from their edges. Felt needs no turning. Add initials or a lightning bolt in felt if you like.
3. Sew the cape. Put the outer and lining right sides together with all edges matched. Stitch ⅜ inch around the whole edge, including the hem, both sides, both tabs and the neck curve. Leave a 4 inch gap open on the hem. Pivot at the tab corners, clip the neck curve and inside corners, and trim the tab corners.
4. Turn and topstitch. Turn the cape right side out through the gap, push out the tab corners and press with the seam right on the edge. Turn in the gap edges and topstitch ¼ inch around the whole cape. This closes the gap and makes the edge neat.
5. Add the closure. Stitch the hook square to the outer side of one tab and the loop square to the lining side of the other, inside the marks. The tabs overlap at the front of the neck and pull apart with a tug. It is a break-away closure, never a tie.
6. Make the mask. Layer the two mask pieces wrong sides together and stitch ⅛ inch around the outside and around both eye holes, then cut the eye holes out on the line. Stitch an end of the elastic to each tip with a small square.

Which fabric makes the best cape?

A satin outer with a cotton lining gives the classic flutter and a stable topstitch. For a warm Halloween cape, use fleece on both sides and bind the edge instead of lining it. Quilting cotton is the easiest to sew and gives the most print choices. Wash the finished cape cold in a bag, hang it to dry and use a cool iron on the cotton side.

Common cape mistakes

• Using a tie at the neck. Use hook-and-loop tape so the cape can pull free.
• Cutting it too long. A cape past the calf can trip a child.
• Forgetting the gap. Leave 4 inches open on the hem or you cannot turn the cape.
• Sewing felt with a seam allowance. The felt pieces have none and are topstitched flat.
• Skipping the clip on the neck curve. Without it the curve will not lie flat.

More ideas

Pair the cape with a fabric crown or a wizard hat, or browse all costume sewing patterns. For a beginner warm-up, try the free scrunchie first. Download Sewzy on the App Store to get the Superhero Cape pattern.