15-Minute Turtleneck Cape DIY Tutorial

This tutorial is perfect for beginner sew-ists. It consists of 2 simple shapes sewn together with 2 seams.

15-Minute Turtleneck Cape DIY Tutorial
Difficulty: Very Easy

Time: ~15 minutes

Materials:

• 1.5 yards Fleece or heavy knit fabric
• • Bonus: Fleece does not fray so you may opt to leave the edges raw / unsewn

Steps:

1.) First, fold a 40 x 40" square in 1/2 twice so that the resulting square you see is 20 x 20"

2. From the folded corner, use your measuring tape to measure out 20" all along the edge of the fabric and mark (I use regular chalk, but there are also marking tools in the notions section of your fabric store) as you go to form an arc. This arc will result in the circle you'll use for your cape.
You can see my blue chalk lines in the above photo from the arc markings.

3. Cut along your arc lines.

4. For a typical turtleneck, measure out your radius at the folded tip as 2.5" in the same manner as you did for the cape edges and then cut.

5. Your turtleneck piece is a 14 x 17" rectangle. Make sure your 17" edge is the stretchy side of the fabric so that you may easily slip your cape on and off.
If you're using the same type of fleece I am, you'll find that the selvedge edge does not stretch. Use the selvedge edge for the 14" length.

6. Fold in half with the right sides together and sew down (use a twin needle or serger for stretch) the open edges.

7. Turn your cape pieces inside out and place the turtleneck portion inside your cape. Line up the edges and sew (twin needle or serger for stretch again - a regular straight stitch would snap).

If you're using fleece, you can leave your edges unsewn since it won't fray.
(You can choose to sew the edges if you'd prefer though! Just fold inwards and stitch.)
You're finished!
Alternately, feel free to vary the measurements to your preferences. Here are some ideas:

• Cowl Neck - cut a larger neck opening and a correspondingly longer rectangle (on the stretchy side) for the cowl

• Full-sized Long Cape - Cut your circle as 30" (should essentially by your neck to wrist length 2.5") instead of 20"

• Capelet - Make your circle 15" (should essentially be your neck to elbow length 2.5") instead of 20"

Happy sewing!