Quick sew costumes for $20 or less!

There may be many different characters to choose from to be for Halloween, but Erica Doyle, Sewin Asylum, says fortunately there are some basic costumes that can play the part of whatever role you choose to play.

The first item is a cape
From super-hero to villain, a cape is a great part of the costume.

When making a cape, you'll need the following:
o Sewing machine
o Scissors
o Thread
o Pins
o Fabric
o 4 feet of string or yarn
o Felt tip marker or chalk (to mark fabric)
o Ribbon *optional

For a cape 45 inches long or smaller
1. Measure from the top of the shoulder down to determine how long you want the cape to be.

2. For example, if this measurement is 40 inches, double this amount = 80 inches. This is how much fabric you'll need to make the cape.

3. Open the fabric and refold it with the right sides facing each other and bringing the two cut edges together.

4. At the top, where the fabric is folded, cut your fabric in half.

5. Now you have two pieces of fabric. Your cut edges are at the top and the bottom.

On either side are finished edges, called the selvages. You will sew the two pieces together on the selvage edge. Just sew one side.

6. Keeping the fabric together, lay it on a flat surface.

7. Using a piece of string and a felt-tip marker, use it like a compass and draw your curve, holding one end of the string on the top edge where the seam meets the cut edge.
 
Extend the string to the opposite end of the fabric, hold one end of the string with one hand and then with the other, hold the string and your marking tool.

The hand that doesn't have the marking tool will remain stationary, the opposite hand will hold the string tight and swing down, marking a curve on the fabric. Then cut out your curve.

8. Neckline opening- where you held the string in the last step, measure out 3 inches and make a curve similar to the one you just did and cut an opening for the neck.

9. You can hem the two straight edges, but since they already are finished as the selvage, you may choose to leave it as is.

10. Also, since the bottom edge is cut on what is called the "bias", you can choose not to hem as it shouldn't ravel excessively.

11. Attach fabric ties (make strips from left-over fabric) or ribbon at the top and you're done.