INSIDE: How to make an easy and fast Halloween black witch cape using a men’s t-shirt. Easy DIY Halloween kids witch cape costume idea.
Of all the holidays, Halloween was never my favorite. I was just not into dressing up and having people looking at me. (Go figure. A wallflower with a blog all these years later!)
This all changed when I had kids. When I realized how much fun it was to dress up a chubby baby in a pumpkin costume with mom and dad posing as farmers, or to pretend to be a gnarly group of pirates. Suddenly, I was all about Halloween!
But, we have a rebel in our midst. My oldest stamped her Converse clad foot down last Halloween and declared the end to her going in theme. So while the rest of us went in a fire(men) theme, she went as a wicked witch …shooting flames out of her homemade broom? Brouhaha!
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How to Make Easy Halloween Black Witch Cape from T-Shirt
My oldest is too cute to be wicked but every witch still needs a black cape. This is how I sewed a super easy witches cape from a super cheap men’s large t-shirt.
When you find yourself one hallowed night speed walking after a three year old, dressed as a caterpillar to accompany his butterfly clad sister (see the theme?) who is literally running from house to house. As you catch up, you see him standing in front of a door, basket at the ready, having totally gotten the grasp of the whole trick-or-treat thing. As the door is opened by a friendly-looking person, our little caterpillar takes it as his welcome to confidently walk into this person’s home, who is standing there mouth agape. It took several minutes and some candy coaxing to get him out!
Supplies:
– Oversized black t-shirt (I used a large men’s t-shirt)
– Black ribbon
– Sewing machine + black thread
– Sewing scissors
how to make cutest kids halloween witches cape
Spread the t-shirt out flat. Cut off the arms on both sides.
With the t-shirt laid front-side up, make a cut down the center front. From bottom to neckline.
Cut both shoulder seams. At this point, you should have a funky-lookin’ t-shirt rectangle.
How to make simple black witch cape from men’s t-shirt
With the t-shirt totally spread out, you are going to want to even up this misshapen rectangle. Cut the side seams of the t-shirt so you wind up with two small rectangles. Then, make one large rectangle from the back of the t-shirt.
In a nutshell, you want to square off where the arm holes where and cut off the neckline.
Pin the smaller rectangles to the larger rectangle on both sides. Sew both sides together.
With the sides all sewn together, lay out flat and cut simple triangles at the bottom of the cape.
Pin a large piece of black ribbon to the top of the cape (where the neckline once was). Sew onto the t-shirt.
Be sure to leave enough ribbon on both sides in order to form a tie or bow.
If desired, use up the t-shirt remnants to form a ruffle on both sides of the cape.
I made two such ruffles to cover up the seams where I sewed the parts of the t-shirt together.
Much to the eye rolling angst of my little good witch, homemade Halloween costumes are my absolute fave!
This mama may not make it out of a big box store if she must buy pre-made!
Not bad for a over-sized t-shirt and a piece of black ribbon!
What homemade Halloween costumes have you made over the years?
More DIY Halloween Ideas:
- Make a Tick Tock Croc costume for a toddler
- Pregnant? How to make a “ghostly” pregnancy announcement
- $6 spooky Halloween door hanger with dollar store supplies
- DIY ghost fleece Halloween pillow cover
- Use (clean) tin cans for fun Halloween treat holders
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Erin says
What a clever idea! That cape looks like something any cute little witch would love to wear.
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks Erin!
Julie says
That’s such a good idea. We used to make capes from black bin bags and duck tape but this is SO much better. But then my kids would normally give a max of 12 hours notice for costumes so you just do what you can!
Kathleen Rupp says
That is adorable! I love making costumes for my kids. Thanks so much for the idea! Saw your post from the sweet inspiration party. pinning this:)
Jelica says
What an inventive way to use a T-shirt, Victoria! Your daughter looks absolutely adorable! Sometimes it pays to go against the family grain 😉
Lisa // Cucicucicoo: Eco Sewing and Crafting says
I love this! Such a simple repurposing project and it looks great! Pinning and sharing! 🙂 Lisa
Laurie says
Victoria, Goodness! This is really a fabulous idea! Pinning to share!
Rebecca Allen says
What a cute and easy costume idea. Especially since we have so many old t-shirts. I love the ruffle you added to the sides of the cape!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks Rebecca! I’ll add ruffles to anything!!
Christine says
Victoria you are a genius! Great way to use a shirt and I can get one at the thrift store. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Theresa says
Love your restyle & costume. Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Pinned & sharing.
Amber Harrop says
Such an adorable witch – love the cape
Leanna says
Your frazzled moments may be hard on you, but they are so much fun for me. lol. I really love reading them as i find each one jogs a Mom memory of my own. Thanks so much for the stories and I love the themed Halloween ideas even if your girl is showing her independence.
Jess says
Such a neat idea! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Teresa says
That’s a great idea, my daughter would love something like this. Thank you for joining The Really Crafty Link Party. Pinned!
candy says
The witch cape turned out really nice. Think I can follow the directions and make one before Halloween. Found you on Bloggers Spotlight
Leslie says
How cute! I love it when costumes can be put together so simply. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
Hil says
What a fun cape!! I love dressing like a witch all year long! So great!
Thanks for sharing at #bloggerspotlight!
Shared on my group boards.
Debbie Harris says
I love the tips here, although Halloween isn’t that big in Australia it is a growing trend. Thanks for sharing over at the Bloggers Pit Stop. Enjoy!
Fabiola Rodriguez says
Lovely cape! I also like to DIY as much as I can, and Halloween costumes can be pricey, so anything I can make myself is welcome. Thanks for the idea! My little girl wants to be a witch this year so this will come in handy.
Greetings from the Blogger’s Pit Stop!
Jamie says
Such a simple idea! Thanks for sharing on More the Merrier Monday link party!!
Kathleen says
I’m a horrible Mom, I’ve never made any costumes! Your cape is fabulous. Love that you do the family theme thing:) Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home
April J Harris says
What a cool costume, Victoria, and I love how easy it is to make. Your step by step instructions are fantastic. I’m not very crafty or great at sewing so I often struggled with costumes! Thank you so much for sharing this great tutorial with the Hearth and Soul Link Party. I’m featuring this post at the party this week. Hope to ‘see’ you there! Have a great week ahead!
Kippi says
I love this project. Easy DIY cape!
Emily says
Her cape looks great! I would never have thought to use a t-shirt! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday! I’m going to include your DIY witch’s cape in my Party Features next week 🙂
Julie says
What a lovely little cape, the ruffles make it a bit more special too.
We always made costumes, with varying degrees of success! Our capes were almost always from black dustbin bags and Duck tape though!
Teri Schuler says
This is adorably cute, and I love it! I laughed out loud at your “frazzled moment”. Very funny! Thank you for sharing at Celebrate It!