Tag: easy sewing

DIY Superhero Cape!

Superhero cape time!  You can make an easy superhero cape in less than 15 minutes!  My daughter needed to be distracted in a fun way while I needed to care for her baby brother, so we pretend to be superheros who fetch diapers, plastic bags, and bottles for baby brother!  Also, her dolly had to have a super cape too! So I went to the fabric store and found the perfect superhero fabric!  The fabric has a great design and also is very stretchy and does not fray easily.  I also bought double sided bias tape in gold for the outside.  Her dolly also needed a superhero cape so I designed a small one for dolly.

As usual, there is a written and youtube tutorial for this cape.  I only used one side of material but you can easily do two fabrics (this is outlined below). Enjoy!

 

What you need:
1) Fabric (one or 2 different cuts 1/2 yard each)
2) Velcro or your preferred method to connect
around neck
3) Optional: Bias tape and/or monogram

 

You can decide on the best size by either knowing your childs height and how wide you would like it, or you can always look at their clothes! I do outline the length and design in my video and written tutorial.

  1. I made the cape for my 2.5year old but it ended up being very big, big enough my German Shepard dog could wear it!  The sizes I use could most likely fit up to a 4t.  Fold 1/2 yard of fabric in half.  Measure long way 26inches long (this was a bit big for my 2.5yr old but still worked) and cut straight across. If you are using two fabrics (one for front and one for back), repeat this whole cutting process.
  3. Then measure about 4 inches down from the 26inch top and cut in and up for the connecting part of the cape (mine was a bit big for my 2.5 year old but she will grow into it!)
  4.   If you are using two fabrics take both sides and cut and then face each other and sew all the way around except leave a 3 inch opening (as with all other projects with two fabrics).  Then pull the fabric through the hole and sew hole shut (make sure you push out corners).
  5. Next, I took the bias tape and sewed all the way around (pinning it first).
  7. Lastly, I ironed on the Velcro sections with the softer side facing on side downwards (that way if its too big at one point it is not rough on the skin). You can also use snaps or any other closing you would like.
  8. And that is it!  Pretty easy just eyeball the size or you can measure your little one!  Enjoy!
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Peasant dress tutorial!

Peasant dresses are perfect for any age!  The elastic on the top and through the sleeves allows the dress to fit for much longer than most clothes.  There are also many ways to customize the peasant dress.

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I love the dress because it’s easy to put on my little one. It stretches right over her head and I dont have to deal with the fuss and fight that sometimes comes with putting on onesies.  Also, at home I use cloth diapers and it’s easy to just throw the dress on and she just needs the diaper underneath!  Of course I do this with regular diapers as well, but it looks so cute with the colored cloth diapers!  She seems to really enjoy the fabric too!  She enjoys playing with the design and discovering her feet and how the two things she is learning are her feet can kick the lace :op

So, lets get started…

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Here is the free pattern for sizes 4-10months (it stretches).  If you want a bigger or smaller size you can scale it down or hold the pieces up to one of your child’s dresses and adjust the sizing

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Below are the four components- don’t forget set printer option to print to actual size.

Here is the youtube tutorial for you to follow:

 

 

Or you can follow below:

  1. Print out the pattern and trace and cut as directed.  If using a pattern on the fabric make sure it is all going in the correct directions.
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  3. Line up one body piece with pattern facing up to one sleeve with pattern facing down.  Pin and sew.  Do the same for the other sleeve.
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  5. Next you want to take the other side of the sleeve and line it up with the other body piece.  Put pattern side to pattern side so it fits. Sew both sleeves.  Now you should have looking like this:
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  7. If you want to zigzag stitch on all edges to prevent fraying when washing, now is the time.  If you have a serger, by all means use that now. This is not required but is helpful to prevent fraying.  See the video for more information on zigzag stitches.
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  9. Next you want to form the pockets for the elastic for the sleeve and necklines.  I am using 1/2 inch elastic and folding the fabric edges about an inch in.  If using 1/4 elastic then you can fold in 1/2 inch.  I also press to make it much easier to sew.  See picture below.
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  11. Now you want to sew the bottom part of the sleeves down the long side but leave the small edge sides open for the elastic.  Then sew the neckline leaving 1 inch or so open.  Usually I do this towards one of the seems so its not as noticeable when you close it. This will be to put the elastic in.  So sew all the way around leaving a one inch opening.  Remember to backstitch.
  12. Next, use a safety pin and pin the end of the elastic.  Put the pin through the opening at the end of the sleeve and pull through.  Bunch the fabric over the safety pin and pull the elastic through.  When to the end you want to adjust the bunching to the appropriate size for your little one’s arm.  Then sew the ends of the elastic to the fabric then cut the extra elastic.  Do not cut before sewing or you may lose your elastic.
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  14. Now do the neckline.  Find your hole and pull elastic through.  Then adjust to appropriate size (which you can measure your muchkins neckline).  Then I cut the elastic holding it carefully and put a quick stitch in the two elastic pieces by stretching it outside the fabric area.  Then I let that go back into the fabric and stitch the hole shut.  You can also sew the elastic on the two sides of the opening on the holes (which may be easier).
  15. Now you should have your elastic all completed!  We are almost there.
  16. Next, you want to sew both sides of the dress closed.  to do this, put your dress inside out and pin sides together starting at bottom of the sleeves.  I usually do a zigzag stitch down the outside then a straight stitch on the inner side of the fabric.  This makes it stronger.  Do this for both sides making sure you sew the bottom of the end of the sleeve.
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  18. Now you should have both sides completed.  What’s left you say?  The bottom of course!  So decide if you want a plain hemline or lace. You can hem and then lace as well.
  19. So either hem, or continue and take your lace and line it up on the outside.  I have zigzag stitched the bottom already in a previous step to prevent fraying  If you have not done so, I suggest you do this or hem the bottom before adding the lace.
  20. Line up the lace on the bottom and pin.  Sew it and WaaaLa!  You are done!  Congrats!
  21. Optional is adding buttons or a bow!
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  23. Stay tuned for the hat tutorial!
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