Making a Superhero Cape from an Old Skirt: An Inexpensive Child Costume

If you have small children, chances are you will eventually have to make a superhero cape for a costume. Almost any type of fabric can be used to create a homemade superhero cape, from an old sheet to unused clothing. Here is a quick guide to making your own homemade superhero cape out of an old skirt.

Making a homemade superhero cape from an old skirt: Making the chest piece

These instructions are written for making a superhero cape out of an old skirt, but almost any piece of large fabric will work. Old sheets or curtains make good alternatives to using a skirt or dress. Start off by making the chest piece for your homemade superhero cape. The easiest way to make this front portion is to simply let your child choose a t-shirt with a favorite logo or pattern on the front. Cut out just the front portion of this t-shirt and you are ready to make your homemade superhero cape. If you choose to use the same fabric for both the chest piece and the cape, cut two chest pieces out of the excess fabric not being used for the cape itself.

Making a homemade superhero cape from an old skirt: Cut out the ties

Next, you'll need to cut out some strips of the old skirt fabric to set aside to made the ties of the superhero cape. These should generally be around four inches wide and need to be long enough to fit around your child's waist to secure the superhero cape. Be sure to leave some extra room to tie these fabric strips.

Making a homemade superhero cape from an old skirt: The cape itself

To make the actual superhero cape, cut an old skirt open along one of the vertical seams. Leave the waistband in the skirt as this will help contour the cape to your child's back. Cut the skirt so it makes a cape that is about twice as wide as your child's shoulders. Cut down the length of the skirt if it is too long so your child will not trip on the end of his or her new superhero cape. If your child is growing rapidly, you can get away with leaving a bit of extra length. Stitch on the fabric strips you saved as ties to hold on the superhero cape. Sew the edge of the skirt's waistband to the top of your chest piece or t-shirt cut out. Once you tie down the fabric strips around your child's waist, you should have an new homemade superhero cape that used to be an unused old skirt.