How to make a super cool superhero cape

Like anyone, I have so many stories that start with "When I was a kid..."

Like, when I was a kid, we used to put tights on our head and pretend like we had long hair.

Probably because my parents had five daughters and for expediency, gave us all chili bowl hair cuts. (I think they were cool back in the eighties) But that didn't mean we all didn't dream of having Lady Lovely Locks locks.* 

And we were good at dreaming and playing pretend.

Among other things, we used safety pins and a towel to become superman. If we were really lucky then, we might have a cape with strings attached. But these days (apparently) that's not really very "safe". I guess it's a choking hazard?

I love sewing for my nieces and nephews. And lucky them, they have an aunt that cares about choking hazards. 

Okay, the truth is, I think the string tie doesn't look very authentic. I mean, when you see superman in the pictures, his cape is definitely NOT tied around his neck.

So I came up with something better to hold it in place... magnets! 

Magnets are sooo cool. I think they probably work by magic.

My own illustration of magic coming out of the magnet. Teachers, feel free to use in your classroom.

I mean... they have like, an invisible force field, or something. 

the force field surrounding a magnet

I kid... I do actually know (in theory) how magnets work. 

But much like electricity, I choose to believe that there are some magic words somewhere in there that's REALLY making the whole thing tick.

But I digress.

Here are the things you'll need for your very own superhero cape.

1/2 yard 60" fabric (I used a red spandex that I got for $3 a yard so it was quite the steal)

four strong magnets (these are the Darice extra strong magnets from Joann's)

Scissors or rotary cutter and mat

Straight edge

Sewing machine and thread

Rounded edge (I used a pyrex bowl but a plate or any other hard rounded surface would also work)

Pins**

Square up your fabric to make sure it is a rectangle.

Fold fabric in half lengthwise and then width wise.

Use your rounded edge and either mark or use your rotary cutter to cut out a rounded area about 2 by 4 inches on the top selvages. 

Starting from about 2 inches from the rounded neckline, use your straightedge to draw or cut down to the edge of the fold of the fabric.

Pin the long edges of the cape and then stitch or serge them and the short bits at the top.

Now we're going to make little pockets for the magnets.

You'll need to cut four 2 by 3 inch fabric pieces from your scraps.

stitch up three of the sides -you can round them off if you like or just leave it a square edge.

Turn inside out and and drop one magnet into each one. Using a zipper foot, stitch around the magnets to keep them from flipping over. This can be a little tricky as the magnets will try to stick to anything metal, including the needle, presser foot, and plate. Just go slowly and carefully.

Now pin the magnet pockets into the neckline as shown. I had to take this picture to show the placement before I stitched up the sides, so yours won't look exactly like this. 

Now stitch or serge the neckline leaving an un-stiched area in the middle at least 3 inches long. Use the hole to turn the cape inside out. Push out all the corners.

Use the hole to place the two remaining magnets in the tabs at the top. Be sure that the correct side is up to work with the magnet pockets you've already installed.

Use the zipper foot again to stitch in the magnet.

You're almost done!

Pin the hole together folding the raw edges to the inside. Stitch around the neckline.

and you're done!

You can help your little superman clip it to his (or her) shirt and he/she is ready to go save the world.

Or if you just don't have the time. You can visit my Etsy shop and purchase one there.

*Apparently, everyone wants what they don't have. As I was typing this, a friend posted this link on facebook for an interview with two little girls discussing the haircut one had given the other. The one giving the haircut does make the point that hair down to the butt can be very unsanitary should it go into the toilet while one is going to the bathroom. 

*buy these pins or these pins... NOT these pins or these pins. Glass head pins are preferable to other types of pins because you can iron over them and the tops won't melt onto the fabric. Extra fine or sharp pins make pinning MUCH easier. They are worth the extra cost.