How to Make a Cape
by Lady_Eglantine in Craft > Costumes & Cosplay
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How to Make a Cape
This is a very simple method.
There are some basic measurements but it is best to check against your body
Measure the Fabric
Start of with a length of fabric a little longer than from your shoulders to the floor
*optional* pull it over your head and pretend to be a ghost
Measure the Hood
Start off at about 55cm from front to back and about 70cm across and over
Adjust size according to how big your head is and how big you want the cowel to be
Do remember to leave room for the hem
It is always better to cut too much fabric than too little
Pin the Hood for the Hem
Just so that there are no frayed edges
You want to look badass not careless
Trim the Edges
The corners will overlap when they are folded in
Cut diagonally away so that they match up together in a perfect line
Sew the Hem
Now it's time to sew the hem
*optional* make yourself a nun
Hem the Cape
Again, you don't want to look scruffy
Also check the length of the cape now. I made mine a little long.
Measure from your shoulder to the ground and add 5cm for hem
But do remember to pin it and try it on - that way you will be able to adjust accordingly
Join the Hood to the Cape
Pin the end of the hood to the end of the cape
Gather
This part is the most difficult of all
Gather the cape and pin the folds to fit into the hood
Remember the hood is smaller than the cape, so you will have to try to evenly gather the cape so that the ends meet on either side.
It may take a few tries but you will get there in the ended
Sew the Gathers
Go slowly, especially if your material is a little thicker
REMEMBER that there needs to be an inside and an outside.
Connect the two and make sure the folds etc are all facing one direction. That will be the inside of the cape
AKA The part you don't want people to see
Almost there!
Sew the Hood Closed
Take the open and unsewn edges of the hood and put them together - you will see it beginning to take place.
Pop in a few pins and remember again that the seam needs to be on the inside
This may require that you turn the cape inside out in a manner of speaking
Sew It
Sew your hood and flip that baby the right way back round
Clasp
I simply used a brooch to put at the throat where the cape needs to close and then you slide it over your head
Tada!
Your very own cape