Kids Halloween costume making should be quick and easy, and very customizable.
I came up with these two simple patterns (one for little kids, and one for big). The most important feature of these is the stand-up collar. It’s much more dramatic (and not any more work) than the ones I’ve seen in Martha Stewart which are collar-less.
What you’ll need:
Two contrasting fabrics for the inside and the outside. (These capes are completely reversible.)
My guys chose a super shiny wet-look for one side (one chose gold and the other red) with a black satin on the other.
(1 yard each for the small cape, 1 ½ yards for the long one)
1 yard decorative cord or ribbon for the tie
½ yard interfacing (I used black)
1/4 yard 1 inch wide elastic (optional)
Note: Sewing shiny fabric to shiny fabric requires LOTS of pins – get more if you don’t have a ton.
Cape #1:
Measure the width of your fabric folded (it’s probably about 30 inches).
Measure this length along the fold and place a pin on the fold. Cut a semi circle as per sketch (see below).
If you are very bad at free handing, you can tie a thread (30 inches long) to a pencil, hold the thread end at the top of the fold with one hand and sketch a semi circle with the pencil onto the fabric. Do this with both fabrics.
Cut out the collar pieces – 11 inches long by 3.5 inches high (from both fabrics). Cut a piece of interfacing 11 inches long by 8 inches high and fold (the fold gives the collar extra oomph).
Find the center of the collar pieces, and the center of the cape pieces, and sew the collar pieces to their matching cape pieces (right sides – or shiny sides – together).
Pin both sets of shiny sides together, and pin interfacing ½ inch below top edge of collar (you won’t be stitching the top fold). Stitch all around cape and collar edge using ½ inch seam allowance (leaving 6 inches unsewn at bottom cape edge).
Flip the cape right side out. Use your scissor points to get the collar tips good and pointy.
Topstitch the open bit of hem closed. Pin decorative cord over one side of the collar seam and topstitch down (leaving enough on either side for tying).
Topstitch the open bit of hem closed. Pin decorative cord over one side of the collar seam and topstitch down (leaving enough on either side for tying).
Cape #1 used for this Dr. Jekyll Cape (he has a vest on in photo 2):
Cape #2:
Measure the length you want the cape to be and cut (we did 42 inches long). Do this with both fabrics.
Cut out the collar pieces – 11 inches long by 3.5 inches high (from both fabrics). Cut a piece of interfacing 11 inches long by 8 inches high and fold.
Find the center of the collar pieces, and the center of the cape pieces, and sew the collar pieces to their matching cape pieces (right sides – or shiny sides – together).
Pin both sets of shiny sides together, and pin interfacing ½ inch below top edge of collar (you won’t be stitching the top fold).
Note: Alternative tie method - pin two pieces of decorative cord (long enough to tie in front) with 1 inch sticking out, away from the collar, and the long ends going into the body of the cape (you’ll have to be careful to only sew the ends into the collar, and not accidentally sew the cords into the seam anywhere else – pin it to the center of the cape if you have to).
Stitch all around cape and collar edge using ½ inch seam allowance (leaving 6 inches unsewn at bottom cape edge).
Flip the cape right side out. Use your scissor points to get the collar tips good and pointy.
Topstitch the open bit of hem closed. Topstitch the collar seam.
Measure wrists and cut elastic this measurement. Sew ends together to make two cuffs. Tack or sew these cuffs into the corners of the cape for added drama.
Cape #2 used for this Heavy Metal Demon Costume:
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