A cloak can be used for the purpose of dressing up or dressing up. It is a rather simple piece of clothing that has been used through the ages to warm up, raise social stature or enhance appearance. From Little Red Riding Hood to the catwalk, the cape is a versatile piece. This article presents some ways to create a basic cape in a variety of styles.
Steps
Method 1 of 7: Poncho
It's a simple cape and can be made from materials you probably already have at home. It does not have an opening on the front, instead it has one on the sides. It is known as a "poncho", but is generally considered a type of cape.
Step 1. Find the right material
Use a blanket, sheet, or other suitable piece of fabric. It will need to be large enough to cover your torso and shoulder area (or a child's torso and shoulders).
Step 2. Cut the fabric into a rectangle or square
If necessary, sew the hems to prevent fraying.
Step 3. Fold the rectangle or square in half
Find the center point at the top of the folded fabric, through which the head will pass. Mark it with a suitable fabric marker.
Step 4. Cut the hole for the neck and head
There are 2 ways to do this:
- Very simple: make a straight cut along the fabric.
- Simple: Draw a semicircle with the fabric marker. Cut the semicircle (seen on both sides, it is a full circle).
Step 5. Sew a seam around the hole you cut
This will help prevent it from fraying. A simple seam, such as the scallop stitch, will suffice.
For something more fancy, sew a braid around the hole
Step 6. Embellish the poncho
You can add a fringe, braid or other decoration to the base of the cape to make it look more beautiful. Or, you can just leave it as it is. Done!
This type of cloak can be adapted to any type of costume, including medieval or ancient tunics, simply by adding or shortening the sleeve areas, adding belts, etc
Method 2 of 7: Cape Scarf
This is a short cloak, but suitable for both clothing and a costume. You can use a large scarf that you are planning to modify.
Step 1. Find a suitable large scarf
Cotton, rayon, silk and so on are all suitable fabrics as long as you are happy to make it into a cape.
Step 2. Fold the scarf into a triangle shape
Step 3. Mark the center of the scarf with a tailor's chalk or an invisible fabric marker
On each side of this mark, draw a line of 12.5cm on each side, so that the line measures 25cm overall.
Step 4. Make a cut along the line
Use sharp scissors to make sure the cut is clean. This is the opening for the head.
Step 5. Sew a seam along the cut to prevent it from fraying
Use a running stitch. If you like, add a braid.
Step 6. Make a hole in the back side of the toe of the scarf
Sew it to prevent fraying.
Step 7. Cut a ribbon of grosgrain, approximately 115 cm long
Trim the ends diagonally or in a V to prevent fraying.
- Velvet ribbon can also be used.
- Make sure the color of the ribbon matches that of the scarf.
Step 8. Thread the piece of grosgrain ribbon through the hole in the tip of the cape
This ribbon acts as a belt to tie around the waist when the cape is worn.
Step 9. If needed, finish by sewing a ribbon over the edges of the scarf
Adding a braid or ribbon will help the cape fall better, especially in windy conditions, but it's not essential for a stage costume or evening dress.
Method 3 of 7: Shawl
This type of coat is also pretty simple. It is open at the front and joined by a button or other closure mechanism in the neck area.
Step 1. Find a suitable piece of fabric
It must be large enough to cover the torso and shoulder area of the wearer.
Step 2. Measure the fabric and cut it into a rectangle
Hem the edges if necessary.
Step 3. Sew a seam that puckers the fabric around the edge of the neck
Finish with a side seam. You can enhance the neckline with a braid, lace or other decoration.
This step represents the main transformation of the fabric, and makes it, from a simple piece of cloth, a useful cloak. You can enhance this by sewing a contrasting colored lining, such as a soft or satin fabric of a complementary color, into the coat
Step 4. Attach a buckle to the neck
It serves to ensure that the cloak remains closed. The buckle can be bought or made by hand.
To make it by hand, sew 2 buttons and join them with a chain, string or ribbon, wrapping them around the buttons or sewing them underneath
Method 4 of 7: Cloak joined with a garment to form a train
This type of cape can be very useful for a costume event or a theatrical performance where you don't want it separated from the suit. The length of the coat can vary at will, from the waist up to the ankles.
Step 1. Choose a dress to which you want to apply a cape
This can be a costume or an evening dress. In most cases it will probably be preferable to use a long dress, but your choice can change according to needs and creativity.
If you prefer, you can also combine this cape with a sweater
Step 2. Choose a suitable fabric for making a cloak
The fabric and color could be the same as the dress, or complementary, depending on the effect you want to achieve. Cut it into a rectangle shape.
If necessary, sew a seam around the edges to prevent fraying
Step 3. Cut a strip of fabric for the top of the cape
It should be longer than the garment, as it may be shortened after being sewn to the dress (it is always better to have too much than too little).
Step 4. Ripple the top of the rectangle:
- Sew a gathering seam to match the shorter edge of the rectangle (the end you chose for the top of the cloak) to the width of the garment.
- Join the crinkled rectangle with the previously cut strip of fabric.
Step 5. Attach the cloak to the garment
Sew the piece of cloak to the garment just below the edge of the garment's neck. Sew right through the seam.
For open back dresses, it is recommended to sew the cape over one shoulder only. The other side should be secured with Velcro or snaps, making it much easier to open the back of the dress
Method 5 of 7: Rectangular Roman Cloak with Ribbon
It's another pretty simple style cloak that's great for plays, parties, and pretending to be an ancient Roman. Of course, it can also be used as a very essential cloak for other purposes and is ideal to make quickly if you have a rectangle of fabric already edged, such as a fitted sheet.
Step 1. Find a piece of fabric of a suitable color and size
As for the type of fabric, work whatever is comfortable for you to sew and that fits well.
Ancient Roman colors, such as red and purple, are a good choice, but this should depend on its final use; so any color is fine, as long as it meets your needs
Step 2. Measure who will wear it, be it a child or an adult
For best effect, the cape should extend from the neckline to below the back of the knees.
The fabric must be as wide as the person, but not wrap around the body like other types of cloak. Bring it right to the outside of your arms - this should be enough width
Step 3. Using the measurements, cut the fabric into a rectangle (if it isn't already)
Step 4. Make a fold under the edges along the entire perimeter of the cape
It should be at least 1 cm. Then do another one, exactly the same size as the previous one.
Step 5. Sew the folded edges by hand or machine
Step 6. Sew 2 pieces of ribbon to the neckline, consisting of the 2 top corners of the cape
Fold over the ends of the ribbon to make sure the edges are neat.
You can use buckles for the neckline if you prefer, but ribbon is the easiest tool to add and use
Step 7. That's it
try it on to check the size.
Method 6 of 7: Long Cloak Made from Two Pieces
Elegant cloak from days gone by, often worn by modern day superheroes and the like. Cut from a regular circle that's large enough for the wearer, it won't leave room for the shoulders, but the final length ensures that this doesn't affect the look.
Step 1. Find a suitable wide fabric
Sheets, rolls of cloth, thin blankets and similar items are fine. Measure the dress to make sure it is loose enough and long enough for the wearer. In this case, the idea is to get the cape from 2 semicircular pieces, to create a single seam.
- For this pattern, it is assumed that you are using a lint-free, thin or one-way design fabric. This way there is nothing to match carefully.
- If the fabric is not large enough, you will need to sew it into one larger piece first. It is possible to make a long cloak from a smaller fabric, but that is beyond the scope of this article.
Step 2. Before preparing the cape, iron the fabric
Any wrinkles will affect the appearance of the coat once completed.
Step 3. Unfold the fabric
Lay it out on a flat surface suitable for work and cutting.
Step 4. Measure the width of the fabric
This width determines the center point of each semicircle you are about to draw on the fabric.
Step 5. Considering the upper left corner of the fabric as "A", measure the length of the side of "A"
The measurement must be the same as that of the width you took in the previous step. This is "B", which is the center of the semicircle you are going to use to form the first half of the mantle.
Step 6. Draw the semicircle
Radiate the lines from point "B" to create the semicircle on the fabric.
Step 7. Cut the semicircle
Step 8. Lay the semicircle on the second piece of fabric, using it as a template to cut this last piece
Cut the second half circle.
Step 9. Calculate the radius for the neckline
On the second piece of fabric, draw the small semicircle that will serve as a neckline around point "B".
Step 10. Cut a semicircle around the neckline
When doing this, leave a 2 cm allowance for the seam.
Step 11. Make up the cloak
Sew the 2 pieces of the cape together. If you are adding a collar, use scraps of the same fabric to sew them in place.
- If needed, sew a seam around the edges to prevent fraying.
- Like the other cloaks, this one too can be improved with the addition of a fabric lining and / or contrasting colors. This will improve its appearance and keep it warmer.
Method 7 of 7: Other Cloaks
There are many possible coat designs, in addition to the ones shown here. Here are some that you might like to add:
- Dracula's cloak
- Superhero cape
- Cloak for Halloween
- Cloak from Batman or Robin
Advice
- If you don't have the time to bead a cape for a party and are only going to wear it once, there will usually be no problem. However, sewing the edges increases the strength of the coat, so when possible, do so.
- In any case, the changes should be made with the cloak on. A good tailor should be able to do this without any problems.
- Other cloak styles include superhero and Little Red Riding Hood models. They deserve specifically dedicated instructions, which have not been covered in this article on basic cloaks.
