basic hooded cloak

For those of you start-up superheros who are forced to make their own attire or those who have a basket of goodies to deliver, the basic hooded cloak.

Three basic pieces:


The hood neck measurement should be about equal to the back neck measurement. That way when the two hood pieces are sewn together it will come all the way around to make a nice full hood. don't gip yourself on hood size. Too big of a hood is still cool. Too small is just silly.

Make this piece as long as you want, but make sure that the neckline is going to fit you. use the neck of your favorite tee shirt as a guide.

for the front, just fold your back piece in half and cut that shape out twice, plus 4" or so on the side that will be your cloak's opening. This is so the opening overlaps a bit so you can close it with a button (or whatever strikes your fancy: ribbon, chains, crab claws, whatever), and will give you a bit extra to fold back into a neat hem. You will also want to shape the neckline to be slightly lower in the front (again, use that tee shirt) so that it doesn't strangle you.

You have your pieces. Get ready to sew:

1. put hood pieces right side together and sew curvy side. Hem front of hood.

2. put one front piece right side against back and sew up side. I know I don't have to say this, but take note that the pieces are place together so the top doesn't go with the bottom and vice versa. This is a long seam you don't want to have to rip out.) Repeat for other side.

3. attach hood by putting middle seam in the middle of the back and pinning away from there along both sides. sew.

4. hem bottom of cloak.

5. fold over the front opening and hem, making sure an inch or two is left to overlap the other side. Repeat for other side.

6. attach button so your cloak doesn't come off in the wind.