A child's cape is a rectangle of fabric with a neckline and ties—you can finish one in two to three hours with a sewing machine

A cape is one of the easiest projects to sew because it has almost no shaping. You need a rectangle of fabric (usually 36 to 45 inches wide and 24 to 30 inches long, depending on the child's age), two strips for neck ties, and a way to finish the neckline so it doesn't fray. Most capes use a straightforward bias tape—a pre-folded strip of fabric you can buy at any fabric store—to bind the neck opening and attach the ties at the same time. If you have a sewing machine and can sew a straight line, you can make this.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut a rectangle of fabric 36 to 45 inches wide and 24 to 30 inches long, depending on whether the cape is for a toddler or a school-age child.
  • Finish the three outer edges (bottom and two sides) with a rolled hem or bias tape so the fabric doesn't unravel.
  • Bind the neckline with bias tape and sew the neck ties into the same seam so they come out at the shoulders.
  • Test the neckline fit on the child before you finish sewing—a neck opening that is too tight will be uncomfortable, and one that is too loose will slip off.

Measure and cut the fabric rectangle

Start by deciding how long the cape should be. For a toddler (ages 2 to 4), cut a rectangle 24 inches long. For a child ages 5 to 8, cut 28 to 30 inches long. The width is usually 36 to 45 inches—wider capes look more dramatic, but narrower ones are easier for a small child to move in without tripping.

Lay your fabric on a flat surface and use a ruler or measuring tape to mark the dimensions with a fabric pencil or chalk. Cut along the lines with sharp fabric scissors or a rotary cutter. If you are using a knit fabric (like jersey or fleece), a rotary cutter works better because scissors can stretch the edges as you cut.

Finish the bottom and side edges

The three outer edges of the cape (the bottom and both sides) need to be finished so they do not fray. You have two main options: a rolled hem or bias tape.

A rolled hem is the fastest. Fold the edge of the fabric inward about a quarter inch, then fold it again another quarter inch, and sew along the fold with a straight stitch. This works well on lightweight fabrics like cotton or linen. For thicker fabrics like fleece, use bias tape instead: unfold one edge of the bias tape, pin it to the right side of the fabric edge, sew along the fold line, then fold the tape to the back and sew it down again by hand or machine. Bias tape takes longer but looks neater and works on any weight of fabric.

Measure and prepare the neckline

The neckline opening is where the cape sits on the child's shoulders. Measure around the child's neck with a soft measuring tape—you want the opening to be about 2 to 3 inches larger than their actual neck measurement so the cape slips on and off easily but does not fall off when they move.

Mark the center of the top edge of the cape with a pin. Measure out from the center point in both directions to find where the neckline should start and end. For example, if the neckline opening should be 14 inches wide, mark 7 inches to the left of center and 7 inches to the right. Cut a gentle curve between these two points—you can use a dinner plate as a template to trace a smooth curve, or straightforward cut freehand. The curve does not have to be perfect; it just needs to be smooth enough that the bias tape will lie flat.

Cut and prepare the neck ties

The ties hold the cape in place. Cut two strips of fabric, each about 20 to 24 inches long and 1.5 to 2 inches wide. If you want the ties to look finished, fold each strip in half lengthwise with the right sides together, sew along the long edge, turn it right-side-out, and press it flat. If you prefer a quicker method, straightforward fold the raw edges inward and press—the bias tape will cover them when you attach it to the neckline.

Pin the two ties to the right side of the cape at the points where the neckline curve meets the straight edge of the fabric (usually at the shoulders). The ties should point downward along the cape, not outward. You will sew them into the bias tape seam, so they need to be positioned before you attach the tape.

Bind the neckline with bias tape and attach the ties

Bias tape comes in different widths; use 1-inch or 1.5-inch tape for a child's cape. Unfold one long edge of the bias tape and pin it to the right side of the neckline, starting at one shoulder. The fold line of the tape should align with the raw edge of the neckline. As you pin, make sure the neck ties are caught in the tape—they should be sandwiched between the tape and the fabric.

Sew along the fold line of the bias tape with a straight stitch, using a thread color that matches the tape. Sew slowly around the curve so the tape lies flat and does not bunch. When you reach the end, overlap the tape by about half an inch and trim the excess.

Fold the bias tape to the back of the cape and pin it down. Sew it in place by hand with a ladder stitch (also called an invisible stitch) or by machine with a straight stitch close to the inner fold of the tape. If you sew by machine, use a thread color that matches the cape fabric so the stitches are less visible.

Try it on and make adjustments

Before you call the cape finished, have the child put it on and tie the neck ties. The neckline should sit comfortably on their shoulders without pinching, and the ties should be long enough to tie securely but not so long that they drag on the ground. If the neckline is too tight, you may need to cut a wider curve. If it is too loose, the cape will slip off—you can make the opening smaller by taking in the seams at the shoulders, but this is easier to fix before you bind the neckline than after.

Once the fit is right, trim any loose threads and press the cape with a warm iron. If you used fleece or another synthetic fabric, use a low heat setting so you do not melt the fibers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fabric works best for a child's cape?

Cotton, linen, and lightweight cotton blends are straightforward to sew and drape nicely. Fleece is warm and soft but can be slippery to cut and sew. Avoid very heavy fabrics like denim or canvas unless you have a heavy-duty sewing machine—they are hard to sew through at the neckline.

Can I make a cape without bias tape?

Yes. You can finish the neckline with a straightforward rolled hem like the other edges, or you can cut a bias strip from your own fabric and fold it as you sew. Bias tape from the store is faster and more consistent, but homemade bias works if you have the time and patience.

How do I keep the ties from coming untied?

Tie them in a bow and then tie the bow loops together with a small stitch. Or use a snap or hook-and-loop fastener (like Velcro) sewn to the ends of the ties so they stick together instead of tying. This is safer for very young children because it cannot choke them if it gets caught.

What if the neckline opening is too small after I bind it?

You can carefully cut the seam open with a seam ripper, remove the bias tape, cut a wider curve, and rebind the neckline. It is tedious but fixable. This is why testing the fit before you finish the neckline is important.

Can I add decorations like sequins or appliqués to a cape?

Yes, but sew them on before you bind the neckline so you do not accidentally catch them in the seam. Hand-sew sequins and beads so they stay find through washing and wearing. Machine-sew appliqués with a zigzag stitch around the edges.