Hi! I am Christie from Sewing In Be Tween and I am so excited to share my tutorial with you. When I am looking for a great all around pattern, I look for a few different things. I want a pattern that is size versatile, that can serve many purposes, and that I can sew up quickly. This pattern ticks all of those boxes! This is my Best All Around Cape. This cape can be made in any size from infant to adult, with any woven fabric, and can be super dressy, cozy and cute, it is reversible, and it’s perfect for a costume (For a BOY even??). Also, the “All-Around” is a play on words as this cape is drafted based on a circle skirt. So, let’s get started!
Materials Needed:
An outer fabric – For a girl’s size 12 we used right at 1 yard, for the women’s we used 1.5 yds
A lining fabric – Same as above
Ribbon – We used 2″ ribbon but you can use your choice of width
Coordinating thread
Recommended fabrics: Suiting, Satin, Silk, Flannel, Quilting Cottons
How to Measure:
You will need to get two measurements to determine how to cut your fabrics. First, get a piece of yarn or cord and measure around the base of the neck. This will give you the neck circumference.
Next, get your tape measure and measure from the shoulder to where you want the cape to stop.
For this sample, the girl’s size 12 neck measurement was 18″ and the length was 15″.
Now let’s make the pattern!
Cutting Your Pattern Pieces:
This pattern doesn’t require any printed pattern pieces, but it DOES require some math. Wait, wait! Don’t be scared! This is not going to be hard. We have to determine how deep to cut our neck. This method is based off of constructing a circle skirt.
First, you have to know your circumference which is the measurement around the neck that you took above. To make it simple to cut, you will use this circumference to determine the radius which is
Going back to the corner, you will now measure down and make the marks for your length. Add the radius to your length measurement (For me, it was 3″ + 15″ = 18″). Repeat the process that you did above, using your tape measure, make marks moving in an arc marking the Radius + Length measurement. Now, connect the marks together to make another complete arc.
Now, you are ready to cut.
Now, you should have 2 cut cape pieces that look like the picture below once you open them up.
Next, lay the outer piece out flat on your cutting mat and using a ruler measure a straight down the middle of the neckline to mark your cutting line to open the circle to make it a cape. Mark the straight line with a fabric marker or chalk. Once you mark, cut this line through ONE thickness, not both. Repeat with your lining piece.
Your cape pieces should now look like the picture below.
Next, you will need to cut your ribbon. You can cut this to be the length you want it to be. For the girls size 12 and the adult size, I cut 2 30″ cuts. You can always cut it shorter once you finish.
Sewing Your Cape:
Once you have it marked, take your ribbon piece and place it face down (right sides together) with the upper edge being along the marked line.
Repeat for the other side. Baste these ribbon pieces about 1/4″ from the edge.
Take your ribbon and roll it up to about 3″ from the edge and pin it so you won’t accidentally sew it while you are sewing your cape pieces together.
Now, take your two cape pieces and put them right sides together and pin all the way around.
Leave an opening along the bottom edge around 4″ so you will be able to turn the cape right side out once you sew.
Once everything is pinned, sew all around the cape with the exception of the 4″ opening using a 3/8″ seam allowance.
Once you sew, clip the curve around the neck and clip the corners so the cape will lay nicely once you turn it right sides out.
Now, reach inside and pull the cape right sides out. Using a point turner or chopstick, poke out the corners. Take the cape over to the iron and press it out nicely.
Make sure you turn the edges of the opening in the same seam allowance and press them together. You can now either hand sew that opening closed or you can catch it when you edge stitch. Next, you are going to edge stitch all around the cape.
Now, look at your fantastic new creation!
Once you get this down, you can whip these up pretty quickly. Use suitings and satins for dressy capes, use flannels to have something cozy and hands free to wrap up in while you are travelling, at the Friday night football games or just to accessorize. Or, make a fun applique and use it at Halloween for a quick costume for a girl or boy! You can add ruffles, monograms, sew on ribbons, make it whatever you want it to be!
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and I thank Lindsay for having us here today!
Lindsay Wilkes is the owner and designer behind The Cottage Mama. She creates timeless, vintage inspired sewing patterns for children’s clothes. She is also a fabric designer for Riley Black Designers / Penny Rose Fabrics, author of the book ‘Sew Classic Clothes for Girls’ and can be seen teaching nationwide and online in her video series ‘Lessons with Lindsay’ sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing and Embroidery machines.
I just used this tutorial as the basis for making a fabulous plaid cape. Thanks so much for your easy to follow directions and pictures. I posted my finished product on my blog if you care to see, and I gave credit to your tutorial.
<3
How could i add a hood to the cape? 🙂
I used your tutorial to make a luxurious faux-fur cape for my sister for Christmas. Instead of having it close with a ribbon I bought an antique pin and attached it to the cape. I did have quite a bit of trouble trying to get my fabrics to stay in place and line up correctly while I was sewing — especially around the neck, but I think that was a result of the fabrics I was using — thick fur and silky interfacing. Thanks for helping me make my first cape! I saved your pattern and am going to make one for myself!
Could you please made a printable PDF of tutorials.
Thanks!
Hi there, The patterns and tutorials on the blog are not in PDF format. I only offer PDF for my patterns for sale and the free party dress pattern. Have a great day! Lindsay
Thank you for this! It was perfect for the lace-trimmed cape I made, I certainly wouldn’t have figured out the PI neckhole equation on my own! ^-^
Wow..thank you..this is what I need!