How to Make a Superhero Cape for a Toddler

For those of you that know me, my Princess Elsa tutu tutorial came as no surprise. I absolutely love Disney, and princess costumes are right up my alley. Maybe because I grew up in a household of women, or maybe because forever live in Fantasyland, but I just can’t get enough! So when my cousin needed a costume for her 3 year old little girl, I was quick to offer my crafting services. Princess Elsa here she comes!

Boys, on the other hand, are not so much my forte. I never had a brother, and although I’ve nannied for little boys, the wrestling, macho attitude, and love of trucks never quite stuck with me. My cousin (you know, the one with the 3 year old little girl) also has a 2 year old little boy. And although my love for her kids is never ending, I always find myself stumped when it’s time to buy him a birthday or Christmas gift.

Don’t get me wrong, I love them both to the moon. They live close, so I get to hang out with them quite often. I’ve become super attached and they’ve become my surrogate children. We get to play, and then I get to give them back when it’s time to go to bed. Great deal for me, if I do say so myself!

Margaret, she is quick to spend her time with me. She enjoys rummaging through my purse to see what color lip gloss I have, being my hairdresser, and always wants to play dress up so we can match. She makes me feel “cool,” which is kind of odd to say about a 3 year old. But it’s always nice to feel wanted, no matter who it’s by.

Townsend, on the other hand, is wary of me. I don’t drive a cool truck, I don’t own a bright scooter, and I most definitely can’t push him as high on the swing as my husband can. What do I have to offer him? I was still trying to figure it out.

Then, a lightbulb went off. I knew he loved Superman, like any other toddler boy. So what could I do to combine his love of superheroes and my crafting skills? I was going to make him his very own superhero cape! Now, I felt onto something. If Townsend loved Superman, and I could make him into his own superhero, maybe it would give me some cred with this little 2 year old boy. Here’s to hoping!

But where was I going to start? I didn’t know how to make a superhero cape! I’m not a huge fan of patterns. Plus, I wanted to make it special and unique.

Making Your Own Superhero Cape is REALLY Simple

Well first, I did what any rational girl who knows nothing about superheroes does. I immediately Googled Superman. What exactly did his logo look like again? How did the color scheme work? In case you are unaware (like me), Superman’s costume is blue, with a red and yellow hexagon logo, and a red S for Superman (all outlined in black). I took a quick snapshot and had my inspiration. I was ready to go to the store.

I hopped in my car and was off to Joann’s to find some fabric. Nothing fancy, but it had to be sturdy to hold up to multiple washes and trips to the park. I ended up with red, blue, and yellow polyester blend fabric and some thread. And I was determined to freehand this. After all, it was a cape and it didn’t need to have a precise fit.

Overall, it ended up being a pretty easy craft, if you know how to sew a straight line with a sewing machine. It ended up taking me about 2 hours to complete from start to finish, which makes it the perfect “I can do this while the kids nap” craft.

Below, I give you the step by step tutorial of to make a superhero cape, completely personalized, and all the supplies I needed to complete Townsend’s superhero cape.

Steps to Make a Personalized Cape

The Supplies Needed:

• ½ yard of red fabric
• ¾ yard of blue fabric
• ½ yard of yellow fabric
• Disappearing Fabric Pen
• Ruler
• Sewing Pins
• Blue ribbon
• Black Thread
• Blue Thread
• Fabric Glue or Glue Gun
• Sewing Machine
  • Heat Transfer Tape if you don’t sew

IF YOU DON’T SEW – READ THIS FIRST:

If you’re not a sewer, this cape is still SO EASY! Read and follow the tutorial below. But instead of using your sewing machine or a needle and thread, when it calls for sewing, use double sided heat transfer tape. Stick it in between the 2 fabrics or pieces of fabric I tell you to “sew” together, and iron them together (with the transfer tape in between them). The heat transfer tape will fuse the 2 fabrics together, making a “no sew” seam!

Step 1:

Take your blue fabric and draw a flat triangle (flat at the top instead of a point) the exact size you want the cape to be
* Mine was for a 2 year old, so it measured:
– Top – 11″
– Bottom: 22.5”
– Length – 24”

Now cut the design.

Step 2:

Thread your sewing machine with your blue thread. Fold back each edge of your cape design by ¼”, and pin them back with your sewing pins. Then, run your cape through your sewing machine (on a simple stitch) to sew a ¼” seam on each side, and keep the edges from fraying.
* Note: Save the TOP FLAT edge for last, and DO NOT sew this edge until the next step.

Step 3:

Once you get to the flat top edge, take your blue ribbon and put it inside your fold on the cape (it may be a bit larger than ¼” fold because your ribbon may be wider). Then, sew your seam around the ribbon.
* This will give you ribbon at the top of your cape to allow your toddler to tie it around their neck and make it wearable.

Step 4:

Tie a few knots at each end of your ribbon to prevent it from slipping through the top seam.

Step 5:

Take your red fabric and place it on top of your cape to ensure proper measurements, and that your logo will fit. Now, draw a hexagon on top of the red fabric with your fabric pen, and then cut it out.

Step 6:

Now, place the red hexagon you’ve just cut and use it as a stencil to trace another hexagon with your fabric pen onto your yellow fabric. Then, measure 1” smaller on each side, mark your new measurements with your fabric pen, and cut out a slightly smaller hexagon out of your yellow fabric (this one will go on top of your red hexagon in your logo).

Step 7:

Finally, take your new yellow hexagon, and use this as a stencil to once again trace on another piece of red fabric. Now, within those parameters you’ve traced, stencil the child’s first initial who you are making the cape for.
* Remember to trace the initial BACKWARDS so when you sew it onto the logo, the fabric pen markings will be face down.

Step 8:

Put all 3 pieces of your fabric logo together (red hexagon on bottom, then yellow hexagon, finally with the red initial on top) and use fabric glue or a glue gun to lightly spot glue it together. This will ensure everything stays in it’s proper place while you are sewing.

Step 9:

Thread your sewing machine with black thread. Then, sew along the edges of EACH fabric section to ensure every part of the logo is properly outlined and secured to the cape.

Voi la! Once you’ve finished sewing, your personalized superhero cape is complete! I got really excited when I saw mine entirely put together. I couldn’t wait to give it to Townsend and see his reaction!

Giving Your Toddler Their Superhero Cape

Well, the first reaction was from my husband (whose name also starts with a T) asking me if I could make one in his size. HA! Now I knew if my big kid liked it, the little kid should too.

When I went to give Townsend his present, he lit up like the Christmas tree that stood in the corner of the room. He asked his dad to put it on him right away, and proceeded to jump off the furniture and pretend he was flying… just like Superman. Jackpot! I’d done it 🙂

Parents, a little tidbit for you. When making this cape, it never occurred to me that the strap around your toddler’s neck may be a chocking hazard. If you are worried about something being tied around their neck, here’s what to do:

How to Tie Your Superhero Cape

• Wrap the cape around the toddler’s shoulders, just as if you were going to tie it around their neck.
• Instead of tying the cape around the neck, have your toddler raise their arms and go under their armpits and around their back with the ties.
• Then, tie the cape on their back.
  • Basically, you are just making armholes to attach the cape to the toddler. It sits perfectly on their shoulders and will not come off, even if they run, jump, and bike ride with it on (I know, I witnessed it).

Easy enough, eh? And it’ll provide hours of invaluable entertainment for your little one.

And just in case you need a reminder, here’s everything you’ll need to make your own customized superhero cape:

• ½ yard of red fabric
• ¾ yard of blue fabric
• ½ yard of yellow fabric
• Disappearing Fabric Pen
• Ruler
• Sewing Pins
• Blue ribbon
• Black Thread
• Blue Thread
• Fabric Glue or Glue Gun
• Sewing Machine
  • • Heat Transfer Tape if you don’t sew