clever little cape
April 19, 2008I made a clever little cape.
And guess what? You can make one too.
Because I also made a “clever little cape” pattern and tutorial — just for you. Click on the link, print the pdf, and give it a whirl. Then put your clever little cape on a clever little person and watch them whirl. Fun. Fun. Fun.
The last time I made a bunch of these capes was on Valentine’s Day for the kiddo and his pals. Different versions of this cape could be made to celebrate any holiday really. They could also serve as birthday party favors or be included as part of a gift. The one pictured here has been sent to the little guy’s good friend Goose. (Say that one five times fast.) I adorned it with a goose applique in honor of his nickname.
There are some other excellent cape-making tutorials residing in Bloglandia. Mine is not better, just different. One that I found has pleats and another offers an actual superhero applique. I looked at both of them when I first wanted to make a cape, but decided that I 1) was too chicken to try pleating and 2) wanted to incorporate grosgrain ribbon and a collar. And that, folks, is how apple cyder’s clever little cape was born. Yes, I know. Another riveting story to power you through your adventures in crafting. (Oh, and you can find another example of a kid’s cape here.)
If you decide to make a cape and find that the instructions are difficult to follow, please be in touch and let me know. Also, I’d love to see what you come up with, so send links/photos of your capes or add it to the flickr group.
One last thing and then I’ll shut up. If you are going to give this a shot, keep in mind that this cape is meant for play. If you make a small error or two, don’t worry about it. Pardon the lecture. It’s just that I am guessing there are others out there like me who sometimes have trouble parting with their inner perfectionist when it comes to sewing. Does that ring a bell?
OK. Once again, here is my “clever little cape” pattern and tutorial.
We are the recipients of that clever little cape–and we LOVE it! Thanks so much, apple cyder. It was such a pick-me-up for all of us over here in Goose-ville. We love you!
Photos of Goose (and maybe the Geek and Alistair, too!) sporting the cape to come. XOXOXO
It is so clever! I could imagine this in all sorts of colors and fabrics. One for every day and every kind of character a child could imagine. What about a princess cape or an evil queen cape… Great job on the tutorial too. I bookmarked it…I’m sure there is a little one out there that I could make this for.
how sweet. every child needs his/her own cape.
[...] Clever Little Cape ~ Molly [...]
Clever and cute too!
I love coming here to gaze on your beautiful fabrics projects and sweet boy. It is like a trip to Etsy and babyville all in one–so relaxing.
Which reminds me, I have a fabric errand to do for you, don’t I. I’ll check them out on my next walk that way.
This is the first time I visited your blog. Now I am going to make this cape for my nephew. Thanks for the tutorial.
this cape is so super cute!!
Great cape!
Oh so sweet, who knew super hero’s started so wee. Looks like yours is quite the little hero and a cute one at that!
Great cape!
Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted
What fashonable little super hero doesn’t have to have one of these- Super cute! Great tutorial and pattern, thanks.
Bookmarked this for sure!
My son turned 3 yesterday so about 2 weeks ago I started looking for cape patterns (he is VERY imaginative and I knew he’d enjoy a real cape vs. the blanket with a safety pin he’s been using). I just started searching the web for free patterns (limited in the $ department) and I found this cape, it’s much cuter than anything else I found so I printed and made it on Friday night – it’s darling, THANK YOU! As soon as it was tied on him he ran all the way around the park, arms properly outstretched. You can smile knowing that a little person out west is enjoying his very own ‘clever little cape’.
[...] sent Goose the fantabulous cape he’s sporting in the above picture. She event included a tutorial on how to make said cape on her blog. (I wish I were as crafty as she. She’s promised me a [...]
Just featured this tutorial on my blog and thought you might be interested
http://thishandmadelife.blogspot.com/2008/10/photography-scavenger-hunt-and-some-do.html
~ Jodi
You lovely, lovely woman! You just made my life so much easier! I wanted to make the kiddies capes for Christmas presents- and here you are with instructions for me! I’m bookmarking your blog! -Becky H.
[...] buys, now don’t I?? Imaginative play is becoming popular so why not encourage it?? I am using Apple Cyder’s tutorial. The purple scrap is from that charmeuse dress I moan bonded about. I need to get much [...]
[...] Super Puppy Slick Sidekick side from this tutorial. Ah, CT has seen the appliques but not the completed cape. Dora was naughty and finished too early [...]
I love this pattern and the fabric you used. Do you mind sharing the name of it? This is the second time I’ve seen it used on a tutorial and can’t find it anywhere! Thanks!
Hi Kim,
The fabric is an Amy Butler print from her “Lotus” collection. The color is
sky. Here is a link to a shop online that carries it:
http://quilthome.com/product_info.php/cPath/30_423/products_id/3251
Thanks for saying hello,
Molly
just made 15 of your adorable clever capes in purple and yellow for my son’s three year old Larry Boy Party at the end of this month – coupled with the Larry Boy plunger hats we made I’m going to have 15 clever caped Larry Boy’s running around my backyard having so much fun – thanks for your super cute and super easy pattern
Maybe I am thinking too much, but after you have turned the cape inside out and sewn all around, do you sew over the ribbon so that it is secured to the cape or do you not sew over the openings where the ribbon comes out?
Hi Summer, I guess you could do either, but I sew over the ribbon to secure it. I think my little guy would just pull the ribbon out and I’d hate to have to “restring” it. Thanks for asking! Molly
This is absolutely wonderful. I have two to make before the end of October for almost 3 and almost 1 1/2. Thank you so much for generous pattern and pdf. Thank you mary (nana to Landon and Lily). They need to fly around a little. SMILE!
Hi, I would love to make the cape, but when I click on pattern for it nothing happens. Is there anyway I can still get the pattern?
Bonnie