superhero cape & skirt sewing tutorial {no-choke design}

Yesterday I shared a pattern and sewing tutorial for a no-choke superhero cape, and today I’m back with a tutorial for adding a skirt. I love this type of superhero cape because the cape velcros to a front piece which is secured around the waist. This means if anyone pulls on the cape, it will just detach from the front piece without choking the wearer. The front piece also allows you to add a fun superhero logo. I created this cape and skirt in colors that match Wonder Woman’s outfit.

My daughter loves her princess costumes – maybe a little too much – so it was fun for me to see her pretending to be a superhero:

The front of the cape stays away from her neck when she plays.

Again, I used broadcloth for this costume. Broadcloth is inexpensive, comes in most any color you’d want, and doesn’t wrinkle (unlike it’s more expensive cousin, quilting cotton). You’ll want to read through the no-choke super hero cape tutorial from yesterday, as today I’m only going to cover adding the skirt.

These are the pieces you’ll want to cut out. Remember, I’m giving you dimensions for a 3t/4t size and a 6/7 size – this should be a good starting point for you to adjust for other sizes. Dimensions are in inches.

 Step 1: Sew together the cape as directed in the first tutorial. Hem all four sides of the front piece as directed, as well.

Step 2: Fold the strap in half lengthwise, and sew as shown below, backstitching at the beginning and end of each seam. Hem 3 sides of the skirt piece. Sew two rows of basting stitches along the remaining side of the skirt piece, as shown below.

Step 3: Turn the strap piece inside out and press, being sure to tuck the raw edges under. Pull on the lower thread of the basting stitches to gather the skirt until it fits in the strap. Tuck it in, pin well, and stitch together. (This is almost exactly the same way we made the cape in the first tutorial.)

Step 4: Place the skirt on top of the front piece, and sew together (as you see below). Sew on pieces of velcro in the same places as the original tutorial (scratchy sides on the cape and end of the skirt, fuzzy sides on the front piece).

The cape velcros to the front piece, then goes over the head. The skirt wraps around the waist and velcros to itself.

This little sister and big brother love their matching superhero outfits!