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The cloak can serve both as a stylish garment and a costume accessory. For centuries, this simple yet versatile piece has been used for warmth, to appear taller, or simply for decorative purposes. From the classic tale of 'Little Red Riding Hood' to modern fashion runways, the cloak has always been a symbol of elegance. In this article, Mytour will guide you through different methods to sew a basic cloak in various styles.
Steps
Making a Basic Cloak
Choose the fabric. Suitable fabric options include: cotton, wool, satin, and woolen blends. You will need a fabric for the outer layer, which is the main part of the cloak, and a lighter fabric for the lining. You may use two fabrics in matching or contrasting colors.
- Consider using patterned fabric for one side and a solid color fabric for the other side.
- You can use cotton fabric for both sides of the cloak as it is quite lightweight.
Take the neck measurement and the desired cloak length. Measure around the base of the neck. Then, measure from the shoulder down to the length you want your cloak to be. Record both measurements.
- For a full-length cloak, you may measure down to the ankle or mid-calf.
- If you prefer a more fitted cloak like a jacket, measure just below the elbow.
Use the neck measurement to find the radius. Use a calculator to divide the neck measurement by 2. Then, divide the result by Pi, which is 3.14. Round to the nearest 0.5 cm. This will be your radius measurement.
Fold the main fabric into quarters. Start by folding the fabric in half horizontally. Fold it in half again to create a quarter-fold. Position the fabric so that the fold is at the top-left corner. Do not fold the lining fabric yet.
Begin drawing the neckline of the pattern. Pin a piece of string at the top-left corner, where the fabric is folded. Attach a tailor's chalk or a ballpoint pen to the string, with the length matching your neck radius. Use this string as a compass to draw a curve from the top edge to the left edge of the fabric.
Complete the pattern. Add the radius measurement to the cloak length. Extend the string to match the new length. Draw a second curve to form the bottom hem of the cloak.
Add a 1.5 cm seam allowance and cut the fabric. After cutting, fold the lining fabric into quarters and place the cut piece on top of the folded lining. Cut the lining fabric along the edges of the cut fabric.
Cut the front of the cloak. Open both the main fabric and the lining fabric, stacking them on top of each other. Fold both pieces into a semi-circular shape. Cut along the folded edge, leaving the other edge intact. This cut will create two front panels of the cloak.
- You can also fold both fabric pieces together, right sides facing inward, to cut them at once.
Pin the two fabric pieces together. Unfold the semi-circles and place the right sides of the fabric facing each other. Align the edges carefully, then pin the pieces securely in place.
Consider adding ribbon ties for the cloak. Cut two strips of ribbon, each 75 cm long. Remove the pins from the top corners of the front panels. Insert the ribbon strips between the two layers of fabric, ensuring both ends align with the fabric edges. Pin the ribbons in place, with the ribbons sandwiched between the two fabric layers.
- Seal the ribbon ends with heat to prevent fraying.
- Choose ribbon with a width proportionate to the cloak. A ribbon with a width of about 5 cm works best.
- If you don’t like ribbon ties, feel free to skip this step.
Sew the cloak with a 1.5 cm seam allowance. Sew along the neckline, hemline, and the edges of the front panels. Leave a 10 cm opening at the end of one of the panels for turning. Reinforce the stitches by backstitching at both the beginning and end of each seam.
- If you've added ribbon ties, be careful not to sew through the ribbons!
Cắt các đường xẻ để tạo thành các đường cong và xén các góc. Cắt vài đường xẻ trên cổ áo, mỗi đường xẻ cách nhau khoảng 2,5 cm. Cắt vài đường xẻ ở đường cong bên dưới cách nhau khoảng 2,5 – 5 cm. Cuối cùng, xén các góc trên vào góc dưới của vạt áo. Như vậy, chiếc áo choàng của bạn trông sẽ mềm mại hơn.
- Cố gắng cát càng sát vào đường may càng tốt, nhưng nhớ đừng cắt phạm vào đường may.
Lộn phải chiếc áo choàng, sau đó dùng bàn là là cho phẳng. Dùng một vật đầu nhọn nhưng cùn (kim đan chẳng hạn) để đẩy các góc ra. Nhét mép vải chưa may của khe hở vào trong cho đến khi nó ngang bằng với phần còn lại của áo, sau đó ghim cố định. Là phẳng áo choàng.
Khâu kín khe hở. Bạn có thể khâu tay với mũi khâu giấu chỉ. Bạn cũng có thể dùng chỉ tiệp màu để may bằng mũi khâu tới, viền hết chiếc áo và chừa đường may khoảng 3mm. Tháo kim ghim ra sau khi may xong.
Khâu khoá cài áo choàng nếu chưa có. Bạn có thể đính khoá cài, móc cài, thậm chí nút Tàu. Chọn kiểu khoá cài nào hợp nhất với phong cách của áo choàng.
- Bỏ qua bước này nếu bạn đã đính dây ruy băng cột áo.
May áo choàng có mũ trùm đầu
Select and purchase fabric. You will need at least 1.5 meters of fabric. Warm fabrics like fleece, wool, or felt are the most suitable. Leave the fabric folded as it comes from the roll.
- If you want to make a longer cloak, buy more fabric, but remember to subtract 60 cm for the hood and seam allowances.
Cut a 55 cm piece of fabric from the roll. Measure approximately 55 cm from the short end of the fabric. Cut a rectangular piece that is 55 cm wide. This piece of fabric will be used for the hood. Save the rest of the fabric for later.
Cut the hood piece to a height of 43 cm. Take the 55 cm wide rectangular fabric piece you just cut, with the folded edge facing you, and trim it so that the fabric measures 43 cm by 55 cm. Remember, the 55 cm edge should be the folded side of the fabric. Discard any excess fabric.
Trim the cloak body if necessary. The remaining large rectangular fabric will make up the body of the cloak. Measure along the folded edge of the rectangle. If the fabric is longer than desired, cut it to the correct length, leaving a 5 cm seam allowance.
Sew the edges of the cloak fabric. Open up the body of the cloak and flip it so the wrong side is facing out. Fold down about 1.5 cm along one long edge and press it flat with an iron. Sew a straight stitch along the edge, about 3mm from the fold. Repeat this step for the other two edges.
- Reinforce the stitches at the beginning and end for durability.
Open the hood section and sew the edge along one of the long sides. Open the hood section with the wrong side facing out. Sew along one of the 86 cm long sides using a technique similar to the one used for the body of the cloak. Leave the other three sides untouched.
- The 86 cm side is the side that measures 43 cm when still folded in half.
- Don't forget to backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam.
Fold the hood fabric again, then sew one of the short sides. Fold the hood fabric again so that the wrong side is on the outside. The 55 cm long edge should now be along the fold, and one of the 43 cm sides will need to be sewn. Sew along the 43 cm side, with the seam 1.5 cm from the edge.
- Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam.
- If the fabric frays, reinforce the seam with a whip stitch.
Sew two basting stitches along the top edge of the cloak. Sew two basting stitches or running stitches along the top edge of the cloak. The first stitch should be about 0.7 cm from the edge, and the second stitch should be 1.5 cm from the edge.
Gather the top edge of the cloak to match the length of the hood. Find the loose threads at one end of the cloak. Hold both ends of the thread and pull them to gather the fabric so that the length of the top part of the cloak matches the length of the hood (around 50 cm). Tie a knot and cut off any excess thread.
- You can gather fabric on both sides of the cloak, but be sure to only pull the gathering threads.
- Once gathered, adjust the pleats so that the fabric gathers evenly.
Sew the hood onto the body of the cloak. Pin the hood to the body of the cloak with right sides together. Align the edge of the hood with the gathered edge of the cloak body. Sew them together with a 2.5 cm seam allowance, ensuring the gathered edge isn't folded or bunched up while sewing.
- Remember to backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam.
- If the fabric frays, reinforce the seam with a zigzag stitch. You can also use fabric tape to finish the edge of the seam.
Attach a fastening or button. This is where you can truly let your creativity shine. You can sew a simple set of Chinese-style buttons onto the front hem of the cape. Alternatively, you could stitch two ribbons if you'd like a tie closure. Another idea is to tie a loop on one side and attach a large button on the other.
Add finishing touches if desired. You can stop at this stage to complete your cape or embellish it with a few decorative details for a unique look. Here are some ideas:
- Attach beaded fringe along the hem to create a bohemian cape.
- Press a printed design onto the fabric using an iron.
- Sew faux fur trim around the hood for a winter-themed cape.
- Add some embroidery along the edges of the cape for extra charm.
Create a superhero cape for kids
Choose your fabric. This type of cape doesn't require sewing, so it's best to choose a fabric that won't fray, such as felt or wool. You'll need about 1 meter of fabric.
- You can also use this method to make a cape for adults with larger measurements.
Fold the fabric lengthwise. Rotate the fabric so that the short edge faces the person, then fold it in half lengthwise.
Draw the side edges of the cape. Use a pencil or tailor's chalk to mark a line on the lower edge of the fabric, 28 cm from the folded edge. The placement of the mark—higher or lower—is up to you. The further down you mark it, the longer the cape will be. Place another mark on the upper edge, 14 cm from the folded edge. Connect these two marks with a straight line.
- If you'd like a wider cape and have enough fabric, you can mark the line farther from the folded edge.
- For precise length, add 14 cm to the cape's total length. This extra length includes the collar section.
Use a plate or bowl to sketch the collar. Find a plate or bowl with a diameter of about 20 cm and place it at the top corner where the fabric is folded. The outer edge of the plate/bowl should be 10 cm from the folded edge. The bottom edge of the plate/bowl should be 14 cm from the top of the fabric. Use tailor's chalk or a pencil to draw the collar outline based on the plate/bowl's shape.
Cut along the drawn lines. Try to cut inside the lines you've drawn to prevent them from showing once the cape is complete. You can leave it as is, or add your own creative touch with one of these variations:
- Round the top and bottom corners of the cape for a softer appearance.
- Cut a scalloped hem along the bottom edge of the cape. This style is great for kids who love Batman.
- Add slits at the bottom for a battle-worn cape look.
Attach Velcro strips. Purchase square Velcro pieces or cut them yourself. Use hot glue or fabric adhesive to attach one Velcro piece to the top edge of the cape, with one side facing up and the other side facing down. You can also use self-adhesive Velcro strips.
Consider adding a superhero symbol. Use an iron to apply fusible webbing to a contrasting piece of fabric. Draw and cut out a superhero symbol. Pin it to the back of the cape, iron it onto the fabric, then remove the pins.
- Each brand of fusible webbing may vary slightly, so be sure to follow the specific instructions provided.
- You can also cut the symbol out of felt and attach it to the back of the cape using hot glue or fabric adhesive.
Create a princess cape for children
Choose your fabric. This type of cape doesn't require sewing, so it's essential to select a fabric that won't fray, such as felt or wool. Jersey knit fabric/t-shirts and tulle are also great choices.
- The measurements here are for children. You can use larger measurements to make a cape for adults.
Cut the fabric to the desired cape length. Measure from the child's neck down to the desired cape length. Add 5-8 cm to this measurement. Cut the fabric according to this length. Feel free to make the cape as wide as you like.
Create the drawstring casing. Lay the fabric with the wrong side facing up. Fold the top edge of the fabric down about 5-8 cm to form the casing for the drawstring. Secure the folded edge with fabric glue or use iron-on fabric binding tape.
- Hot glue is not recommended, as it's not flexible enough for the drawstring to move smoothly.
- If you really know how to sew, you can sew this casing into place with a seam approximately 0.5 cm from the fabric edge.
Cut a piece of ribbon slightly longer than the drawstring casing. You can choose ribbon in the same color as the cape or one that contrasts with it. A ribbon width of 2.5 – 5 cm works best.
- If you'd like to tie the ribbon into a bow, cut it twice the length of the drawstring casing. You can also use a silver or gold cord instead of ribbon.
Thread the ribbon through the drawstring casing. Attach a safety pin to one end of the ribbon and use it to thread the ribbon through the casing.
Gather the fabric so the cape cinches at the top. Position the cape in the center of the ribbon and gather the fabric so that the top edge of the cape shrinks to half its original length.
Trim the ribbon to create a closure for the cape. Cut both ends of the ribbon down to about 8 cm. Use a lighter to seal the ends to prevent fraying.
- Skip this step if you're using the ribbon to tie the cape instead.
Attach Velcro strips to the ribbon. Attach one piece of Velcro to the top side of one end of the ribbon and the corresponding piece to the underside of the other end. Self-adhesive Velcro is ideal. If you can't find self-adhesive Velcro, use regular Velcro with hot glue or fabric adhesive.
- Consider adding some sparkling rhinestones to the top side of the ribbon using hot glue for extra flair.
- If the ribbon is left long, cut the ends at an angle and use a lighter to prevent fraying.
- If using cord instead of ribbon, tie knots at both ends to keep it from fraying.
Add the finishing touches. The cape is almost complete, but you can enhance it with some extra decoration to make it more stunning, such as adding rhinestones or using fabric paint. Use colors that complement the cape, and remember, simplicity is key. Here are some ideas:
- Draw patterns with fabric glue or puff paint. You can either freehand or use a fabric stencil.
- Apply iron-on transfer designs to the cape using a hot iron.
- Adorn the cape's edges with rhinestones using hot glue or fabric adhesive.
- Attach fabric appliqué to the cape using fusible webbing.
- Use hot glue to add faux fur along the hem for a cozy touch.
Advice
- If you want to make a hooded cape, simply cut a round cape without a front slit, and you won't need any fastenings.
- Wash, dry, and iron the fabric before starting the cape project.
- Use the cape to complete your vampire costume.
- If you're wearing a Batman cape, consider making a second one for your friend playing Robin!
Warning
- If making a cape for children, ensure that any fastenings or ties around the neck are secure and safe to prevent choking hazards. This also applies to anyone, except for adults who can manage these fastening safely.
What You'll Need
Creating a Basic Cape
- Outer fabric (wool, cotton, felt, velvet, etc.)
- Lining fabric (cotton, vest lining fabric, satin, etc.)
- Tailor's chalk or marker
- Measuring tape
- Fabric scissors
- Fabric pins
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- 5 cm wide ribbon (optional)
Creating a Hooded Cape
- Outer fabric (wool, cotton, felt, velvet, etc.)
- Measuring tape
- Fabric scissors
- Fabric pins
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Fastening (toggle buttons, hooks, ribbon, etc.)
Creating a Superhero Cape for Kids
- Non-fraying fabric
- Tailor's chalk or pencil
- Fabric scissors
- Plate or dish
- Measuring tape
- Velcro tape
- Combination fabric (optional)
- Hot melt adhesive fabric (optional)
- Iron (optional)
Making a Princess Cape
- Non-fraying fabric
- Fabric scissors
- Ribbon
- Fabric glue or fabric edging tape
- Velcro tape
- Decorative accessories
