Our super-simple no-sew hooded cloak is our most popular post ever, so we thought we'd reshare it, in case anyone is in the market for a last-minute Halloween costume make. So easy – just grab some fabric and follow the step-by-step instructions below.
We love World Book Day and Halloween, but Lola is VERY fussy about what she will or will not wear to such things. I decided to get the sewing machine out to make her a cape so I can convince her to go as Little Red Riding Hood. My thinking is that once she realises how much she loves wearing this cape, she'll be desperate to go as LRH and I'll make her a red one! That's the cunning plan anyway.
I grabbed some beautiful silk velvet from Jake & Maya's #sharingourstash project for £1 a metre and fired up the sewing machine with a masterpiece in my head. However, within minutes I realised that sewing silk velvet is a pain in the arse! It's stretchy and slippery. I had plans to line this cape but was struggling to even sew a few inches – even though I had pinned it to within an inch of its life. So I had to come up with a new, no-sew idea, that would achieve the desired result. After a few false starts and a couple of hours later I had an idea that worked...
The second cloak took less than ten minutes, so I thought I'd share how to make a really easy hooded cloak! And the beauty of this one is, it doesn't take much measuring either - winner.
Disclaimer: My 6-year-old helped make this - I don't normally cut quite so wonky! Honest!
What You Need
- Fabric. At least the length of your little person plus 5 inches or so. Width as per roll.
- Fabric glue/hemming web/no-sew tape – whatever works for you. You can stitch this bit if you prefer.
- Scissors.
- Tape Measure.
Making The Cape
- Measure your child from shoulder to wherever you would like the cape to end and add 2 inches.
- Cut along that line.
- Put the material the right way up, and fold down two inches from the top
- Cut half an inch (or thereabouts) every two inches across the top of the fabric.
- When unfolded, you should have your fabric with a number of holes along the top.
You'll end up with a length of fabric that looks like this (probably neater unless you too have a six year old helping!)
You can hem it if you wish – I have some lovely (easy to sew!) fabric for the little Red Riding Hood cape which I will hem and line.
Making The Hood
It's worth noting that oversized hoods look best, but do what works for you. The dimensions are what I used for my six-year-old. Next time I will make the hood slightly smaller.
- Cut a rectangle 22" by 26" * Update: A number of people have commented that they would have made the hood slightly smaller, and I agree. Before you cut and fix, make sure the size works for you.*
- Fold the rectangle in half along the short side.
- Turn inside out and join one side together (sew, fabric glue etc). This will be the top of your hood.
- Turn back the right way and lay flat (at this point you can iron if you like!)
- Fold up from the bottom an inch or so.
- Cut from the back of the hood, half an inch one inch in. Then, every two inches as you did before. Make sure that first cut is only one inch though.
You should now have a hood and cape, ready to be joined. Easy!
Joining the hood and cape
This is super-easy...
- Cut a length of the fabric (or you can use ribbon), it needs to be pretty long, at least a meter if you're using fabric with no stretch.
- Find the two middle holes on both your hood and cape and weave the ribbon between them, carrying on to either side as shown.
- When you run out of hood holes keep weaving until the end both sides.
- Pull tight.
- Trim your ribbon (if required).
- Find your little person and put their cape on them! Job done.
If you're looking for World Book Day inspiration, you have to check out last year's BG reader efforts. They're a talented bunch!
Update: The Little Red Riding Hood Cape/Cloak
I started this post saying the whole make was to get Lola to wear a little red riding hood outfit for World Book Day. Sadly, that year it didn't happen. But I am persistent, and this year she finally went as Little Red Riding Hood. Her cloak was made this exact same way as illustrated above but I lined the hood first with the same floral fabric which I also lined the basket with. I literally cut too pieces of cloth the same size, sewed them together and voila, a lined hood. The fabric is an old Ikea blanket – those bargain £3 ones. Worked out a lot cheaper than buying fabric!
The kids in our street are all kinds of awesome and decided to go as the three main characters from the book. I made the wolf outfit with some felt, and Granny had her outfit put together by her mama raiding her papa's wardrobe... seriously! Anyway, here they are:
If you've made a costume using our tutorial please share with us! Email team@bambinogoodies.co.uk, post on our Facebook page, or tag us on Instagram @bambinogoodies.
What kind of fabric did you use?
I used Silk velvet. It’s really beautiful but a pain to sew.
I just made this for my teenager using brown velour. It turned out great! Thank you for this inspired pattern!
Fantastic to hear! We’d love to see a pic. Lu x
Thank you so much for this! My 11-year-old desperately wanted a cloak, but I did not want to work hard to make one. This was so simple and she loves it.
Yeah! Thanks Julia. Do tag us if you’ve posted any photos on social media @bambinogoodies – we love seeing this cloak in action!
Very glad I found this page. My young teen son needs a hooded cloak — nothing fancy or elaborate — for upcoming Medieval Day at school. Your guide is just right!
Great! Glad you like it. Do share a picture if you’d like.
I made one out of burlap and some old baby blankets for my 3 year old daughter’s Frodo costume! I am NOT a sew-er, but this was super easy with fabric glue. She won 2nd place at a Halloween carnival!! The only thing I would’ve changed is making the hood a little smaller! Thanks for the article!
Bravo! Bravo! Would love to see a photo. That’s fabulous! You’re the second person to mention the hood size so I will make a note on the post to reduce it. 🙂
Going to have a go of this tomorrow to try and recreate Arwen for one of my daughter’s Halloween by Thursday! Wish me luck!
Good luck! We’d love to see a photo if you do have a go – email to team@bambinogoodies.co.uk, post to our Facebook or tag us @bambinogoodies on Instagram.
I just made this for my 8 month old for Halloween tomorrow as Cindy Lou Who. I had to adjust measurements but it was helpful to have a guide along the way. I opted for hot glue to hem because I was working with a plush material. I don’t see an option to attach a picture but it was a great nap time project!
Sounds brilliant! We’d love to see a photo – email to team@bambinogoodies.co.uk, post to our Facebook or tag us @bambinogoodies on Instagram.
Yay
I love this cloak pattern, so easy unfortunately I do not have anyone to make one for. Can you give me the pattern for an adult. I would wear it everywhere if I got the pattern. A cloak lover since I heard about Red Riding Hood, 50 years ago.(smile) Tami H
I took this and mixed it with the no sew dragon wings for a Ghost Spider cape/wings for our Spidey and his Amazing Friends costume! My 4 year old is so excited!
Sounds amazing! Would love to see a photo if you have one.
Hello! I’m trying to make this cloak for my niece but have questions about the width of the cloak. You described the length as being two inches more than where you want the cloak to fall. But how wide should that piece be? Ie. the side where you attach the hood to with the weave?
Thank you!
Hi. The width is just whatever the width of your fabric is. Good luck – would love to see a photo when you finish.
Have you made this cloak for an adult? And if so, what dimensions should the hood be? Because I’m assuming everything else applies but with a taller body, yes?
Hi. I’ve never tried it for an adult, I’m afraid, but the hood is quite generous. Let me know how you get on if you give it a go!
What would be the dimensions of the hood for an adult? Just curious.