Thursday, March 14, 2013

DIY Superhero Capes {Printable Templates Included!!}

Well big sis wanted a superhero birthday party for her 4th... so what else was there to do but to make superhero capes!!! {You can see her party here}

I searched on-line and found a few tid-bits here and there, but nothing that really seemed to help all that much, soooo, we basically started from scratch!  Lucky for you, if you ever need to make a superhero cape for your little angel, I saved everything I did right here!

The first main decision came down to time and money (doesn't it always!?).  I decided to go with a felt cape versus a shinny material because 1. it is super cheap and 2. it won't fray so you don't have to break out the sewing machine!  Once I decided that, I gathered the following materials...

Materials:
Felt by the yard (2ft. cut length per every two capes needed)
A pack of assorted color felt sheets for the emblems
Spray Adhesive
Velcro squares or 1" Velcro to cut
Christy's Customs Superhero Cape Template
Christy's Customs Superhero Cape Shapes and Letters Templates


{The template above is designed to print out on normal 8 1/2 X 11 printer paper.  Download the template by clicking on the above link and saving each of the seven pieces.  When printing, treat the JPEG file as a picture.  Choose 8 1/2 X 11 paper size and choose BORDERLESS printing.  The borderless printing will preserve the correct proportions of the template and is usually only an option when printing pictures.  I personally would choose to print in draft to save ink.  Once the template is printed, you simply lay the pieces out and use tape to hold them together.  Cut along the dark line to get your cape template.  This cape size works well for 3-6 year old children}

Lay out your felt (most is sold doubled over- I left mine so each template cut out resulted in two capes) placing the template on top.  Use a washable marker to lightly trace the template.  Cut out.


Using the Shapes and Letters template above, print out the shape for a background and letter for the child's first name.  Cut out and use for templates on the assorted color felt choices.  Using spray adhesive, coat the back of the felt shape, place on cape, and felt letter, also placing on cape.


Now the Velcro to hold the cape on... oh how I wish I could tell you to spray the back of the Velcro and stick it on too... but you will need something a bit stronger than spay adhesive to hold on the Velcro... ours pulled off after the first hour or so.  A few stitches would be best to add on your little cape neck closers!

And wha-la!  Happy little superheros!

For age reference... big sis had just turned 4 in this picture, while cousin is 6 1/2.  The capes seemed to work well for both sizes!



And- KAPOW!  There you have it!  Super simple.  I did 8 of them in just a couple hours one evening and gave them as party favors.  I wish I had taken a picture of all of them, but in the rush of the party, I forgot- oh well! 

I'd love to hear if you use the templates... I'd love to know that someone else got use out of them too :-)  So please share if you do!


10 comments:

  1. Hi Christy!

    Thank you so much for posting this. I made a very quick one for my 3 1/2 year old out of green monkey fabric, and he loves it. I will definitely share this with my friends.

    Cheers,
    Danielle

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    1. So glad you were able to use! Thanks for sharing :)

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  2. Fine job for your first time and not being familiar with sewing or yardage requirements. Bravo! Capes look terrific. I am using a different no-sew method but will be using your letter and symbol templates. Thanks for publishing them, too.

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  3. Thanks - particularly for the shapes and letters!

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  4. I like the way you had it all print out separately and then they fit together. Thanks!

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  5. I cant access the cape templates for some reason :( This looks so awesome! MY son would love it

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  6. hi, love this print however unable to print

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  7. Hi Christy, thanks for these templates :) You took the guesswork out of the dimensions. I had no trouble printing...

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  8. Christy, a BIG thank you for the easy cape pattern. I was able to make a dinosaur print cape for my great nephew, age 8, going in for kidney surgery. A cape to make him feel brave & strong. I was able to make "horns" out of 3" grossgrain ribbon and hand stitched them in a line down the back. Thank you again

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