Or, very short amount of time cape, at the very least.

I realized when I was putting together an impromptu Mother Witch costume that I didn't have a cape. A plaid capelet, sure. A long camel overcoat, sure. But no cape?! What a travesty!

Enter this mini-tutorial...

Ingredients needed:

• At least 2 1/2" yards of 60" wide fabric. I used stretch velvet, you can use whatever you like! If you are taller than 5'4", you'll want more yardage, since the length of the fabric forms the hood and body of the cape.

• A length of elastic to create the shoulder shaping (less elastic for more gathers, longer for less). I used about 1/2 of the width of my fabric, but could easily have done 40" with the same effect. I used 1" wide elastic, but you can use whatever you have that's relatively sturdy and easy to sew.

• Velvet Ribbon

• Cording

• Sewing thread

• Decorations for the ends of your ribbons/cord

You'll start by sewing the top edges of your fabric together, from center fold to selvedge on one side. This will create the center back hood seam. I did this right sides together, flipped it, and then set the seam allowances open with a 3-step zig zag stitch on top.

Then, I set the elastic from edge to edge about 17" down from that seam, stretching it out the whole way. Not the fabric, just the elastic. This creates a gathered length that allows the hood to drape over your shoulders.

I popped a length of velvet ribbon and one of cording under the edge of the elastic at the fabric selvedge, and clean finished it. You can make the cording as long as you want, I did mine fairly long for drama.

I tied the velvet ribbons around my torso underneath the cape at my back to help stabilize the cape when I swoosh around in it, so I used pretty long lengths there too. Again, up to you and how you plan to fasten the cape at the front neck. I didn't have a big enough brooch, but I imagine that would do the trick nicely.

I didn't bother finishing any of the edges or the hem, but you certainly may want to- or add a lining if you're feeling especially fancy.

Happy halloween! xxGabby