How to Make a Fleece Cape

People just love fleece fabric, it's so soft and warm and pretty, too. Fleece doesn't fray so it's easy to finish seams and hems. This little cape is similar to some sold commercially for a lot more than it costs to make them. It will take about four hours to make with all options. Skip the decorative stitching and the armhole and it will take a bit more than two hours.

Picking your fabric: If you are not experienced working with fleece, start with a relatively thin fabric like the blizzard line. You'll need 2 7/8 yards for a short to average height person. Add 1/4 yard for up to six feet tall, another 1/4 for taller folks. Any color works. Make sure you have thread that is a close color match. You'll also need a frog or other decorative closure for the front.

Make a pattern: Look at image #2. This is the shape you need. Use tissue paper or newspaper to make the pattern. You'll need to tape pieces together to get a single sheet of paper large enough. The shoulder width is x, length is. It's easiest to cut the whole piece then cut out the neckhole. Once you have the shape drawn on your paper draw in a neckline. It should be a fairly flat curve with a total length of about 6 inches. It should be about 2 inches deep at the center back.

Cutting the cape: Refold the fabric in half lengthwise. Place the pattern with the straight edge close to the selvage edge and the curved bottom close to the cut edges. Cut that piece then flip the pattern over and cut another two layers from the other half of the fleece. Cut the neck on one pair a tiny bit deeper for the front.

Sewing the body: Sew the two back pieces together on the straight edge. I use French seams so there are no raw edges inside but any sort of sturdy seam will do. Next, place the front pieces so the shoulder curves match the back shoulders. Make sure the fuzziest side matches up on front and back. Fold over 1/2 inch of the front edges to the inside and stitch down. I like to use a decorative stitch for this.

Collar: To get the collar size, measure along the neckline of the cape. Cut a piece of fleece one inch longer and three inches wide. Fold in half, right sides together. Pin up 1/2 inch along one edge (see pic.) Stitch 1/2 inch from the ends. Now, turn the collar right side out. Match the unfolded, long edge to the cape's neckline, curving the collar to match. Stitch 1/2 inch from edge. Whip stitch the folded edge down on the inside of the neckline. To finish, I like to add decorative stitching along the top edge of the collar.

Optional armholes: Cut a template one inch wide and twelve inches long. Cut two pieces of fleece that are about two inches bigger than the template on all sides. Trace the template onto the wrong side of each piece. Decide where you want to armholes. I put them seven to ten inches below the top of the garment and six inches from the front edges. Place the strips you've made in place on the cape, right sides together, markings up. Stitch around the markings. Slit through the cape and the strips cutting diagonally to the corners. Flip the strip to the inside of the cape and pin in place. From the top, stitch around the hole at 1/2 inch from the folded edge. I use decorative stitching for this part, too. Trim off the excess cloth on the under side.

Finishing: Stitch under 1/2 inch along the bottom edge for the hem. Sew a frog or other decorative closure on the front below the collar.

Congratulations! You've made a great gift or maybe a snugly fleece cape for yourself.