This simple toddler cape sewing tutorial includes written instructions as well as video step-by-step details.
I originally made this cape for our little red riding hood on Halloween but this simple sewing project could be used to keep your toddler cozy all winter long!
Toddler Cape With Hood Sewing Tutorial Video:
This toddler poncho is a simple sewing project, even for beginners! Get creative with fleece fabric colors and linings to create your toddler’s favorite cozy cape this winter.
What You’ll Need:
- Fleece Fabric (1 yard would do for a 2T size)
- Lining Fabric (.25 yard if only lining the hood)
- Ribbon or Detailed Fastener
- Scissors
- Pins
- Chalk *optional
- Sewing machine
- Thread
Step-By-Step Tutorial:
- Choose your fabrics: For my project, I grabbed a simple anti-pill red fleece from Walmart. (I have to admit, Walmart pickup is a life-saver when toting around three little ones these days!). Choosing a fleece makes this hooded cape soft, cozy and warm for your little one! For the lining of the hood, I already had a red and white gingham print on hand. It was perfect for little red riding hood!
2. Layout the fleece on the fold: Cut two semi-circles as the pattern indicates above. The small neckline measures 3” while the full length from center back neck to hemline is about 18” for a size 2T.
NOTE: To use this pattern for larger sizes such as 3T or 4T you could grade the pattern up .25” inch on the neckline and an inch on the length. If you are working closely with your toddler, just measure the custom length for them by using a tape measure from the center back of their neck down to the length you want the cape (keeping seam allowance in mind).
3. Cut the pieces for the hood: Cut 2 hood pieces in the fleece (outer) fabric and 2 pieces in the lining (interior) fabric. For a size 2T, you will cut the pattern shape an indicated below with the neckline base at 7”, the height of 12” and the depth of approximately 9”.
NOTE: For a size 3T I’d recommend following the same measurements. If needing a larger hood, simply scale this pattern up .5” to increase the size for 4T-5T.
TIP: If unsure on the size of hood, simply grab a hooded sweatshirt that fits your toddler and lay it out flat (folded in half). You can then trace around the hood to create your own pattern!
4. Sewing the hood: With right sides together, sew a stitch around the curved back of the hood, leaving the 12” side open as well as the 7” neckline. Then, do the same with the lining pieces.
5. Inset the hood lining: Insert the lining into the outer fleece hood with raw edges together and hidden.
6. Basting stitch on the hood: Sew along the outer edge of the hood opening to attach the lining to the outer fleece hood. Sew another stitch along the bottom of the hood where the neckline will go to hold everything in place.
7. Finishing the hood’s edges: Now, tuck and roll (no this is not a fire drill, haha) the outer hem of the hood into a rolled hemline and secure with a final topstitch. This will give the edge of the hood opening a finished and professional look.
8. Making a hood sandwich: Lay out one of your cape semi-circle pieces flat on your work surface. Next, lay your finished hood upside down onto the cape with the bottom edge meeting the curved neckline area of the cape piece. Then, sandwich the hood piece with the other semi-circle cape piece on top. Use pins to secure the hood sandwich!
9. Attaching the hood to the cape: Sew along the curved neckline to secure the hood to the outer fleece cape pieces. Also sew along the side seams to attach the two cape pieces together. The bottom of the cape remains open allowing up to flip it right-side-out and reveal the attached hood.
Viola! Magic!
Now you can remove all the pins from the neckline.
10. Attaching a ribbon or fastener to your hooded cape: Now measure out a ribbon for the hooded cape. I used about a 1” x 40” ribbon for this step (on a size 2T cape). Find the center of your ribbon and mark it with a pin lining it up to the center back neck of the cape. Simply sew along the top and bottom outer edges of the wide ribbon to secure to your cape.
NOTE: If you want an inset ribbon instead, you need to attach them in step #8 at the same time as the hood. Watch my video (linked above) for more explanation on this.
And this is how the finished cape looks with the wide ribbon attached.
11. A final topstitch to finish off the edges: I think this final step makes this cape look much more professional and it only takes a few extra minutes. Simply sew along the edges of your cape to create a finished hemline all the way around. On the bottom hemline I tucked the edges in as I stitched to create a fully-finished hemline.
I hope you enjoyed this simple sewing tutorial! Let me know in the comments below if you plan to make this project soon!
Pin for later:
You may also like these other sewing projects below:
DIY Warm Winter Car Seat Cover
How To Hem Your Jeans Like a Pro!
Thanks for stopping by today! See you again soon!
Lauren