How to Make a No-Sew Superhero Cape

Superhero capes are one of our current favorites. In addition to having a cape wardrobe himself, my son loves giving these as presents to his friends. The good news is, they are SO easy to make! You don't even need to have a shred of sewing experience to pull it off, either!

Supplies

• Felt-by-the-yard in desired color for cape (2/3 yard is enough for a cape for a 3-5 year old)
• Felt for monogram
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Velcro AKA "Hook and loop tape"
• High temp hot glue gun (this one is mine and I LOVE it!)
• Computer and printer
• Stapler

Please note: Instructions are for capes suitable for a 3-5 year old. For a larger cape, use more fabric and follow the same basic steps.

Pro Tip:

Make lots of plain capes in different colors to give out as gifts throughout the year! Just add the child's monogram before gifting. Alternately, this would also make a great superhero party favor!

Directions

Step 1: Cut out the cape

To start, lay the fabric out flat. Take the short side of the fabric and fold it up as shown.

To cut the neckline, measure 4.5" in from the corner and cut straight up at a 90 degree angle from the fold. Save the little triangle that used to be the tip for step 2.

To cut the bottom hem, Cut a gently curving line that comes close to the raw folded-up edge.

The cut out cape will look like this once unfolded:

Step 2: Cut the closure tabs

Use the triangle left over from cutting out the neck to create tabs. Cut one line down the middle from the point of the triangle down through the bottom. Then, cut a once inch high strip from the bottom of each of these triangles. The bottom two strips (as shown) are what we we use to close the cape.

Step 3: Cape construction

Trim a piece of velcro (a "piece" being a length of velcro that consists of a hook side and a soft loop side, stuck together) that is the about an inch shorter than the tabs. 

Apply hot glue liberally to the back side of the velcro piece and adhere it close to the straight (not the angled) edge of a tab. Be sure to orient your tab so the straight side is on the right and the angled side is on the left as shown:

Apply hot glue liberally to the back of the velcro (which is now facing up). Place the other tab on top of the glue with the angled side on the right. Here is a picture of the side view once the second piece of felt has been attached.

After the glue on the tabs is set, carefully peel the two tabs apart. Each tab should now have half of the velcro.

To attach the tabs to the cape, place a thin line of glue near the angled edge (the piece shown here was the final piece to be added to the felt and velcro sandwich above). See how the angle of the tab and the angle of the edge of the cape line up here?

Now, flip the glue side over onto the cape like so:

Repeat this process with the other side and end up with this:

Please note: The cape is inside out in this picture. Flip it right side out before attaching the monogram in step 4 so that the glue lines are hidden inside the cape.

Step 4: Monogram

Print out a monogram in any font you like from your computer. I like to make mine rather large or about the size of a piece of paper. Trim away large blocks of excess white paper and lay it out on your piece of felt. Stick the paper to the felt by using the stapler to staple all around OUTSIDE of the letter itself.

Use scissors to cut through the paper and felt at the same time to end up with a pretty letter shape. 

Use hot glue to adhere it to the back of the cape

Enjoy: 

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