Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The Audrey Cape Tutorial

This tutorial is for personal use only. Thank you.


These capes are one of the girls' favorite things that we have yet made. I am not kidding when I say that this cape comes out everyday....and I won't let it be worn to school yet (it's still in the mid 80's here---and apparently I am a mean mom) so someone is waiting for the day that it will finally be cool enough that she can wear it to school. But I am glad that it is a keeper, because it was easy and cute. 


Here is the thing about this cape.....and I know I say this often on our blog but you are all going to faint at how easy this pattern is. 


All it is.....is a BASIC CIRCLE SKIRT! No. Really. It. Is. A. Circle. Skirt.

One of my favorite things is to take a super simple pattern and make it into something else. It is the best! (And no one will ever know that it's a circle skirt made into a cape.)

Here is what you need: 






One word of advice: This was a thrifting challenge, so I ended up making the linings of these capes from regular cotton fabric. In real life, I WOULD NOT. Take the time to get real lining fabric....it will look much more like a professional coat, and you will be much happier with it.



Also, I made two capes. I will give you the measurements for the Big Girl cape in the tutorial....and will give the Little Girl cape at the bottom. (It was too confusing to put them both in...) If you are looking for sizing, the Big Girl cape was put on a six year old but I am guessing would fit anyone up to about a size 8 or a small 10. The Little Girl cape could go anywhere from about a size 2 to a size 4 or 5.



(If you are worried you could always cut a muslin and then try it on your little one...)




Big Girl Cape Tutorial






*You should work on the folded edges....and not the selveges.



















*One thing I forgot to tell you....you need to make to slit on one of the folds to make the circle open.




Now move on to the collar pieces for a minute.



HERE is a pattern for a peter pan collar if you need one.



























This is getting really long.... so I am adding the measurements for the Little Girl Cape on our blog as well as the Birdcage hat tutorial is also there.



Thanks everyone! And we would LOVE to see your capes!



Simple Simon & Co

We would love to see what you make from this tutorial! Be sure to join our Facebook group and share pictures if you something from our blog or shop. Don't want to draft your own cape? Here's a great pattern from our shop. 

Audrey Cape Tutorial


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40 comments :

  1. Thanks for this. My little girl wants to be Red Riding Hood for Halloween and I bought a 99 cent butterick pattern for a cape, but it's unlined and I thought we'd both be happier with it if it had a lining. I'm a novice though and wasn't exactly sure the best way to go about lining it.

    These step by step instructions are so helpful. And these Audrey outfits are amazing!

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  2. I am totally going to be making this for my daughter!! Thank you so much!!

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  3. about how much fabric did you need for each size?

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  4. What fabrics do you recommend for this project?

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  5. Tez,

    I used about 3/4 of a yard of 54 inch wool for each cape.

    Ab,

    Most fabrics will work. Cottons, twills, denim, bottomweights, or any outerwear would hold up well.

    I am currently dreaming of a white wool one with polka dot lining or a big plaid one. Anyone seen any good wool sales lately?

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    Replies
    1. Look for a wool plaid blanket at a thrift store!

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    2. look for a wool plaid blanket at a thrift store!

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  6. thanks for sharing! circular capes are so easy to make and so much fun to flaunt, isn't it!

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  7. This is great! It's getting cold here in Oregon n my lil girl need something like this. Thx a lot for sharing.

    ps: Joann and Walmart have a lot sale last Saturday.

    Nadya

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  8. This is SO adorable! I can't wait to make these for my 2 girls! I found you through Pinterest. Thanks for sharing!

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  9. This is gorgeous! Thank you for the pattern instructions.

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  10. I adore this and want to make for my almost 3 year old and 18 month old, but also myself, how could this be turned into an adult size???

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  11. i cant print out the peter pan collar, its so cute. thank for these directions!

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  12. I love it. Thank you for this great tutorial. So gonna make it for my girls. I just saw a similar cape selling in Gap, and I've been looking for a tutorial to just make it, instead of purchasing it. I am so excited to get started on it.

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  13. I just made a black one with a black and white liner! Oh it turned out just perfect! Thank you so much for the tutorial!
    http://nicandkate09.blogspot.com/2011/10/audrey-cape.html
    Jennifer

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  14. Did you add fabric rectangles for fake pockets? I like the look of them much better than a plain cape and am just wondering if I'm seeing it right.

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  15. Also if so could you tell me the measurements and placement of them?

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  16. thank you!! i've been wanting a simple cape pattern for aaages!

    ~Dee

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  17. Made it in black and white with black lining. Precious! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  18. Thank you! They are so cute! I'm having trouble getting the collar pattern to open, could you please send it to me?

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  19. Sweetness indeed! But what is that I am seeing on the front that looks like a slit for the arms to come through?

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  20. I'm making these for my kids for Christmas. I have one done and it's adorable. Here's what I did, since my kids are a bit bigger. (They are 5, 6 and 6, but big for their age... Everyone thinks they are 8 or 9....)

    I bought plush fleece throws for $5 each at Walmart. One for each cape. Then I bought one flat queen sheet in black for $10. I was able to cut the cape, collar and button covering from the fleece with material to spare, and I was able to get 4 linings from a queen sheet. They are heavy and warm and absolutely beautiful. Best part is I just made three beautiful dressy coats for my daughters for a total of $25! (Oh, plus 1.89 for a pack of three buttons to cover...) THANK YOU!!

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  21. Oh.... The bigger part.. I forgot to add that I changed where I measured to..

    I pinned at 3" and 20" and cut above the pins (meaning if you are looking from the point you measured from) and they are a perfect size with room to grow!

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  22. This is brilliant! Can you make it for teenagers too? I really want one! How much bigger do you need to make it for a teen/ adult?
    www.styleisalwaysfashionable.blogspot.com

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  23. @Kate I'm with you, i think I want one these for myself!!!

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  24. awesome!...cant wait to buy the fabric...fleece might be more adorable than other fabric...lalalalaa...thanks to share this pattern....hugs!

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  25. Thank you so much. It's fabulous (and just what I need, I think that may be the part that makes me the happiest.) Here. Have hug-like vibes.

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  26. This is so funny! I'm in the business of creating things and was going to make a bunch of these for a frozen party. I had a heck of a time finding a pattern for a capelet. I can't believe that it was as simple as this. Thank you soooo much!

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  27. Getting started on this for my daughter immediately. Thank u for sharing with us.

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  28. What is the outer part made of? It doesn't look like regular cotton, is it flannel or some sort of synthetic wool?

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  29. These little capes are so cute. going to try to make for my granddaughters. Thanks

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  30. I can not find the measurements in the blog for the little girl cape. Can anyone help me?

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  31. It was hard to find- it's on the Simple Simon & Co blog:
    The little girl cape measurements are
    1.5 inches for the neck radius
    and
    13 inches for the length measurement
    as well as the Birdcage hat tutorial is HERE.

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  32. Thank you so much for this tutorial!
    I was looking to buy the perfect cape and couldn't find it anywhere.
    So I made it myself and I love it! Your pattern is so easy and doable in an hour.
    For my first Cape I used a creme-white fleece blanket for the outer fabric and a white cotton for the lining. Just to see, if I can do it and if it fits me.
    And yes, I'm a full grown woman and yes, I'm rocking my cape. :-)

    Now I'm waiting for my fabric order to make my next "real" cape out of a beautyful pure wool fabric with silk lining.

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  33. Thank for this tutorial!! I used a modified version to make a magician's cape for my daughter and it was so easy!

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  34. How big were the seam allowances on the collar?

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