DIY Network

Superhero Cape More Christmas Crafts

By Sherry Rydlewski Aikens, Baby Pop

Materials:

3/4-yard red satin or cotton fabric (for cape)
9" x 11" yellow craft felt (for shield)
9" x 11" blue craft felt (for letter)
red thread
yellow thread
blue thread
1-3/4" Velcro
rotary cutter or scissors
cutting mat
ruler
sewing machine
computer to print out letter
pins

Figure A

Steps:

1. Create a rough pattern for the cape by folding the fabric in half and sketching out the following measurements. Length: 27 inches from top to bottom. Width: 11 inches on the fold. To create a space for the child's neck, cut out a three-inch long by one and a half inch wide hole beginning two inches (this will create the closure) down from the top of the cape. Cut out the cape (figure A).

Figure B

2. Serge raw edges and turn edge under to create a finished hem (figure B).

Figure C

3. Add Velcro to neck closures. Tip: Soft side of Velcro should be sewn facing down on wrong side of fabric and hook side goes right-side-up so it is not against child's skin (figure C).

Figure D

4. Using a ruler, draw a shield shape onto 9" x 11" piece of yellow felt, try to fill as much space as possible. Using rotary cutter or scissors, cut out shield (figure D).

5. Next, use your computer to print your child's initial. First select a font you like, then size the letter to 700 pixels or larger.

Figure E

6. Cut out the letter and use the paper letter as a pattern when cutting out the felt initial (figure E).

Figure F

7. Pin letter to shield, then center and pin shield w/ letter to cape (figure F).

Figure G

8. Sew letter down, stitching through all three layers — cape, shield and initial (figure G).

9. Finally, stitch around the edges of the shield (figure H).

Figure H

Finished Cape