How to make superhero costumes – capes
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A super easy and quick way to make a gorgeous cape for your little superhero. Made from a t-shirt, it's a completely no sew way to whip up a cape in minutes.
Perfect for World Book Day or any dressing up day. In fact these capes are so fab you could make them to give away as gifts.
You will need:
- Large t shirt
- Scissors
- Felt and a glue gun (or fabric glue) or self adhesive felt
How to make your superhero cape
1. Take a large t-shirt. You can either use one you have in the house or buy a plain tee very cheaply. The larger the better - so a man's tee is ideal. From the front, cut away up the seams so that the complete front and sleeves of the t-shirt are removed BUT leave the front neckline. Cut carefully round this so it remains in place. Then at the back cut the sides so that you get a nice tapered cape shape. You should be left with a shape like the one shown in image 1.
2. Now cut simple, bold designs from felt. You can buy self adhesive felt, which is ideal and easy to cut. If you can't find this then cut from a sheet of normal felt. Cut out a circle or oval in one colour then a design in another - such as a star, letter or Batman motif.
3. If you are using self adhesive felt simply peel off the backing paper and stick in place on your cape. If using normal felt then use fabric glue or a glue gun to stick your designs in place.
4. You could leave your cape like this but we worry a bit about the neckline pulling so prefer to cut the front neckline at the centre and attach velcro dots so that it fastens round your child's neck safely and can be easily done up and undone.
This is a super quick and easy no sew version If you want your cape to be more durable and last for a few washes then you can cut your designs from thick material instead of felt and sew in place rather than gluing. A few stiches round the velcro fastening will make them more secure and durable too. Because the cape is made form t-shirt material the edges will not fray so either way there is no need to hem unless you want to be super super neat.
Complete the look with superhero bracelets/cuffs
We have loads more easy costumes to make for kids here
