Give a stuffed animal super status at your house by making him or her a superhero costume! This pattern includes a cape, wrist bands, belt and mask.
This cute white bear was feeling a bit ordinary and was often overlooked by the kids. With some bias tape I had leftover from making Annabel's apron (see that post here), I was inspired to make a cape. The other accessories soon followed.
You will need:
-Four colors of cotton fabric
-Bias tape or fabric to make bias tape
-Steam-A-Seam2 fusible web
-Felt for mask
-Elastic for mask (I used a purple beading elastic)
-Small pieces of velcro
-Pins or clips (I love my Clover Wonder Clips)
-Rotary cutter and/or fabric scissors
-Ruler
-This free pdf
-Ordinary stuffed animal*
*The white bear in the picture is 16" high. You can enlarge or shrink the pattern to fit your animal!
Step 1: Cut two 7 x 7" squares of cotton fabric. One will be the outside of the cape (I chose purple) and the other will be the lining (the orange and white chevron). Wrong sides facing, place the two squares on a cutting mat.
Step 2: Measure one inch in on both the left and the right sides of the top. Mark lightly with disappearing marker, chalk pencil or whatever pen you have. If you make the mark at the very top, it will be covered by the bias tape. With one end of the ruler at the bottom right corner, and the other end of the ruler on the mark you just made, cut along the straight edge. You'll be cutting through both pieces of fabric at once. Repeat for the left side. Now the bottom of the cape is 2" wider than the top.
Step 3: Make the bias tape or use bias tape that you've purchased. You will need 3 3/4 feet of 1/2" bias tape. A terrific tutorial on making bias tape can be found here at Made. Clip or pin the bias tape along the left, bottom and right sides of the cape. Sew along the three sides, being careful to tuck the corners in neatly as you go.
Step 4: Center the remaining piece of bias tape on the top of the cape. Clip along the entire piece of bias tape. Double fold the ends in and stitch down. Sew along the entire length of bias tape, making sure the cape doesn't come out as that part goes into the sewing machine.
Step 5: Print this free pdf. Cut the shapes out along the lines. Trace the shapes onto the fusible web, making sure to trace the letter backwards. I have included all 26 letters if you would like to use something other than 'B'. Trace one of the larger star and four of the smaller star (I added two additional stars after I took the above photo.)
Step 6: Peel off the blank side of the fusible web. Apply to fabric pieces, Press to adhere.
Step 7: Following the lines you traced, cut out all the shapes.
Step 8: Remove the paper from the back of the fabric. Arrange the circle, the letter and the two stars. Press to adhere.
Step 9: Measure around the waist of your stuffed animal. Add two inches and cut a strip of that length by 2 1/4" inches wide. Fold the fabric, aligning the raw edges along the length. Stitch with a 1/4" seam, turn and press. Double fold the ends of the belt and stitch. Remove the paper backing, center the smaller circle and the star on the belt. Press to adhere. Add the velcro, making sure to size for fit.
Step 10: Repeat step 9 for the two wrist cuffs, but make the strip 2"wide instead of 2 1/4".
Step 11: Trace the mask onto the felt. Cut. Make sure the eye holes fit your stuffed animal. Adjust as necessary. Make two small holes in either side of the mask, put the elastic through the holes and knot it on the inside so that the knot is hidden. Be sure so it fits the head of your animal before tying the second knot.
This bear was fairly neglected until he achieved superhero status. Now, Super Bear flies around during the day with the kids and fights crime at night.
My husband had the great idea to put the word "strong" under the "B" on the back of the cape, so that it would read "B strong" in remembrance of the Boston Marathon tragedy. His office is two blocks away from the bombing site, and we knew many people running or volunteering. If you would like to add "strong" to your cape, download the free pdf here. Use the same technique as described above, being sure to trace the letters backwards, cut them out individually and place them in a semi-circle under the "B". Enjoy your B Strong Super Bear!
I hope you have fun with this pattern!
xo Karin
PS - Leigh Laurel Studios now has a facebook page! Please visit and hit 'like'. :)
