From medieval costume cloaks to fashionable capes, here are the 22 best sewing patterns we’ve found for men, women, and kids. 10 are free!
Contents list:
- Simple capes
- Collared capes
- Hooded capes
- Unisex costume capes
- Short capes
- Fashion cape coats
- Kids’ capes
- Quilted capes
- Quick Q&A’s
Simple capes:
Superhero cape pattern with appliqué emblem
Download now from Thread Riding Hood – FREE
- Sizes: 18 months – Adult. Exact chest measurements aren’t provided. A tutorial on how to lengthen the cape is available here.
- Design: Simple cape. Fully lined. Optional appliqué emblem/logo. Hook and loop fastening around the neck. Curved bottom.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight woven fabric. For example, cotton, cotton lawn, cotton twill, and velvet. This cape would be a great pattern for using up scraps.
- Format: PDF digital download in US letter and A4 sizes. Fully illustrated instructions are included in the blog post.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. This would be a great project for a beginner to make. The style of the cape is very simple, and a hook and loop fastening is very easy to attach. The cape needs minimal fitting, and the illustrated instructions are clear and concise.
Full-length “dress up” cape with hood
Read tutorial now from Liz Haywood – FREE
- Sizes: Child – Adult. Exact chest measurements aren’t provided.
- Design: Full-length cape. Attached hood. Hook and eye fastening under the chin. Unlined. Bias-bound neckline.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight woven fabrics with drape. For example, cotton, cotton lawn, cotton twill, or velvet. Old curtains are suggested as a fabric source.
- Format: Instructions for drafting the pattern, adding a hood, and sewing are included in the blog post.
- Suitable for beginners? No. I think this pattern would better suit an intermediate sewist with some previous experience. The instructions for assembling the cape are vague with minimal and unclear photos included. A complete beginner may struggle to handle the amount of fabric involved and with sewing the bias bound seams which will require precision, as will attaching the hood.
Collared capes:
“Winterberry” cape with collar and buckle closure
Download now from Mood – FREE
- Sizes: US 00 – 32. Chest: 31” – 59.5” (79 – 151 cm).
- Design: Collared cape. 3 length variations: 26″, 38″, and 48″ (66, 96, and 122 cm). Flat or stand-up collar. Centre back seam. Welt armholes. Fully lined. Toggle fastenings.
- Fabric: Medium to heavy-weight woven fabrics with some structure and drape. For example, boiled wool, jacquard, coating, heavy velvet, tweed, or suiting.
- Format: PDF digital download in US letter and A4 sizes. Photo instructions are available in this blog post.
- Suitable for beginners? No. I think this pattern would better suit an intermediate sewist. There’s a lot of heavy-weight fabric to handle while making this cape, which would be challenging for a beginner. The cape also features welt armholes which require precision to sew. Some previous experience sewing coats and outerwear would be an advantage for sewing this cape.
Hooded capes:
Full-length, fully lined cloak with hood (+Video)
Read tutorial now from Online Fabric Store – FREE
- Sizes: Instructions for drafting a pattern to your measurements are provided in the blog post.
- Design: Dramatic, hooded cape. Full-length. Fully lined. Hook fastening under the chin. Semi-circle shape.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight woven fabrics with drape. For example, cotton lawn, cotton twill, velvet, or satin.
- Format: Blog post with instructions for drafting and sewing the pattern.
- Instructions: Illustrated instructions for assembling the cape are included in the blog post. An instructional YouTube video is available here.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think this pattern would suit an advanced and adventurous beginner. There’s a lot of fabric to handle, but the blog post instructions are clear and well-illustrated, and the additional YouTube video is helpful. Choose a fabric that’s easy to work with such as a cotton blend rather than velvet or silk for an easier sew. Capes require minimal fitting and the amount of fabric involved does make for a forgiving garment.
“M7886” Full-length costume cloak with gathering and trimmed hood
Buy now from Something Delightful – $16.07
- Sizes: XS – XL. Chest: 29 ½” – 48” (75 – 122 cm).
- Design: Dramatic costume cape. Lined hood with contrast ruffle trim. Full length. Heavily gathered back. Side arm openings. Hook fastening under the chin. Train.
- Fabric: Light to heavy-weight woven fabrics with drape. Different fabrics can be used to achieve different looks. For example, velvet, velveteen, brocade, cotton, cotton lawn, cotton twill, satin, or tulle,
- Format: PDF digital download in US letter and A4 sizes. A paper version is also available here. Instructions are included with all versions.
- Suitable for beginners? No. There’s a lot of fabric involved in this pattern, tons of gathering involved, and sewing the hood could also be tricky. The suggested fabrics are also difficult to work with. I think this pattern would better suit an intermediate to advanced sewist with some experience sewing coats or outerwear.
“B4377” Floor-length costume cape with a large hood (+Video)
Buy now from Something Delightful – $11.17
- Sizes: US 6 – 20. Chest: 28 ½” – 40” (73 – 102 cm).
- Design: Dramatic costume cape. Floor length. Gathered hood. Fully lined. Decorative closure.
- Fabric: Medium to heavy-weight fabrics with drape. For example, velvet, velveteen, brocade, or stable knits.
- Format: PDF digital download in US letter and A4 sizes. A paper pattern is also available here.
- Instructions: Instructions are included with all versions. A YouTube video from a customer showing the making of this cape is available here.
- Suitable for beginners? No. There’s a lot of fabric involved in this pattern, and sewing a fully lined garment of this size in a heavyweight fabric would be difficult for a beginner. I think this pattern would better suit an intermediate to advanced sewist with some experience sewing outerwear and working with large amounts of fabric. Reviews show that the hood comes up big and isn’t comfortable to wear, so a confident sewist might be better off re-sizing the hood if possible.
“S8721” Halloween costume cape with length variations
Buy now from Simplicity – $15.37
- Sizes: US 4 – 26. Chest: 29 ½” – 48” (75 – 122 cm).
- Design: Halloween costume cloak. Two length options. Optional overlay. Large, gathered hood. Fastens under the chin. Curved front hem. Fully lined.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight woven fabrics. For example, cotton blends, linen blends, gauze, brocade, velvet, and wool blends. Different fabrics can be used for different costumes.
- Format: Paper pattern with printed instruction booklet.
- Suitable for beginners? No. I think a beginner would struggle to sew this cape since there’s a lot of fabric involved and attaching a lining and sewing the front curves could be tricky. The hood is lined and gathered into the neckline, which could also be difficult. I think this pattern would better suit an intermediate to advanced sewist with plenty of sewing experience.
Unisex costume capes for men and women:
“BUR7333” Robin Hood style unisex cape
Buy now from Simplicity – $15.37
- Sizes: US Men’s 38 – 48. Chest: 38” – 48” (97 – 122 cm).
- Design: Robin Hood style, unisex cape. Can be used for a variety of different costumes. Mid-length. Large hood. Fastens under the chin. Unlined.
- Fabric: Medium to heavy-weight fabrics with a rough feel are suggested for an authentic look, such as boiled wool or faux leather.
- Format: Paper pattern with printed instruction booklet.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think this pattern could suit an adventurous beginner with some sewing experience. This cape is unlined and less fabric is involved than some of the other styles. The hood is attached flat, which will be easier to assemble. Choose a stable fabric that’s easy to work with such as boiled wool rather than leather or suede for an easier sew.
“S8771” Medieval style unisex costume cape
Buy now from Simplicity – $14.67
- Sizes: One Size
- Design: Medieval-style cape. Length variations: knee or full-length. Large hood. Ties up under the chin. Optional appliqué patterns for a deer, a dragon, and a wolf are included.
- Fabric: Medium to heavy-weight woven fabrics with some drape. For example, crepe, denim, damask, coating, velvet, or linen.
- Format: Paper pattern with printed instruction booklet.
- Suitable for beginners? No. I think this pattern would best suit an intermediate to advanced sewist with prior experience. The capes are sewn from heavyweight fabrics, which can be difficult to handle and sew. Sewing the appliqué designs would also require precision and previous experience would be helpful here too.
“S8770” Unisex cosplay capes with style variations
Buy now from Simplicity – $15.37
- Sizes: One size.
- Design: Different styles of cosplay capes. Length variations: knee or full-length. Optional fur trip. Optional stand-up collar. Optional waist or under chin fastening. Optional large hood with or without fur trim. Fully lined.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight woven fabrics, depending on your desired effect. For example, cotton blends, linen blends, gauze, brocade, velvet, and wool blends.
- Format: Paper pattern with printed instruction booklet.
- Suitable for beginners? No. I think this pattern would best suit a sewist with some prior experience. The capes are sewn from heavyweight fabrics which can be difficult to handle and sew. Attaching the details such as the fur overlays and the trims would be difficult for a beginner to manage since these fabrics can be difficult to sew.
“M8335” Unisex costume capes with style variations
Buy now from Something Delightful – $16.07
- Sizes: S – 2XL. Chest: 34” – 56” (87 – 142.5 cm).
- Design: Unisex full-length costume capes. Unlined. 4 style variations: View A features a yoke and studded trim. View B has a high collar. View C has a stand-up collar and lapels with buttons and decorative trim. View D has a hooded capelet with trim.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight woven fabrics depending on your desired effect. For example, wool blends, gabardine, moleskin, velvet, upholstery fabrics, or faux leather
- Format: PDF digital download in US letter and A4 sizes. A paper pattern is also available here. Instructions are included with both versions.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think an advanced and adventurous beginner could try one of the basic style capes, such as the view without a collar. The capes are unlined, which makes the sewing process easier when handling large amounts of fabric. Use a fabric that’s easy to work with such as a cotton blend or upholstery fabric to make the process easier.
Short capes:
Simple, short circle cape with buckle fastening
Read tutorial now from Gathered – FREE
- Sizes: One size with a customizable length.
- Design: Short, circle cape. Leather buckle fastening. Faced neckline. Bias bound hem. Unlined.
- Fabric: Medium-weight woven fabrics. For example, wool blends, boiled wool, twill, or velvet.
- Format: Blog post with instructions for how to draft the cape pattern.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think this would be a good pattern for an adventurous beginner. The cape is simple and unlined, making it easier to sew. Some experience would be helpful with attaching the facing and bias binding but the instructions are clear and well-illustrated to help you along the way.
Short circle cape with high stand-up collar (+Video)
Read tutorial now from Indoor Shannon – FREE
- Sizes: The cape is drafted to your desired size based on your neck measurement and the length you prefer.
- Design: Short, circle cape. High stand-up collar. Snap fastenings at the neck. Fully lined.
- Fabric: Medium-weight woven fabrics with drape. For example, wool blends, boiled wool, twill, or velvet.
- Format: Blog post with instructions for how to draft the pattern and sew the cape.
- Instructions: An instructional YouTube video is available here.
- Suitable for beginners? No. I think this pattern would better suit an intermediate sewist with some experience sewing coats and outerwear. Sewing with heavyweight fabrics can be tricky and lining the cape and attaching the collar will require precision.
Fashion cape coats:
“V8959” Round collar cape coats with length variations
Buy now from Something Delightful – $6.99
- Sizes: US 4 – 26. Chest: 27 ½” – 46” (70 – 117 cm).
- Design: Loose fitting circle capes with rounded collar detail. Front button closure. Three length variations: waist, mid-thigh, or full length. Raglan shoulders and welt armholes. Fully lined.
- Fabric: Medium to heavy-weight fabrics with some drape. For example, wool blends, boiled wool, twill, brocade, taffeta, or velvet.
- Format: Paper pattern with printed instruction booklet.
- Suitable for beginners? No. I think this pattern would better suit an intermediate to advanced sewist with some experience sewing outerwear. The capes are sewn from heavyweight fabrics which can be difficult to handle and inserting a collar and sewing a welt opening in fabrics like these would be tricky for a beginner with little sewing experience.
“V1754” Long, oversized cape with belt detail
Buy now from Something Delightful – $6.99
- Sizes: XS – 2XL. Chest: 29 ½” – 48” (75 – 122 cm).
- Design: Rectangular cape. Unlined. Waist belt. Hook and eye closure. Side front pockets. Sleeves are formed with the waist belt. Handkerchief hem.
- Fabric: Medium to heavy-weight woven fabrics with drape. For example, wool blend coating, boiled wool, twill, gabardine, fleece, brocade, taffeta, or velvet.
- Format: Paper pattern with printed instruction booklet.
- Suitable for beginners? No. Although the style of the cape is simple, the amount of heavy fabric involved would be difficult for a beginner to sew. The front pockets can also be difficult to create and will require precision sewing. I think this pattern would better suit an intermediate sewist with some experience sewing outerwear.
Kids capes:
“Little Red Riding Hood” hooded kids’ cape
Read tutorial now from Stitched by Crystal – FREE
- Sizes: Instructions for how to draft the cape pattern are provided in the blog post.
- Design: Semi-circle-shaped cape. Attached hood. Fully lined. Fastened with a toggle closure below the chin.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight woven fabric with some structure and drape. For example, cotton, cotton lawn, cotton twill, and velvet.
- Format: Blog post with instructions for how to draw the pattern.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think an advanced beginner with some sewing experience could have a go at this pattern. Since the cape is small and only half-length, there isn’t too much fabric involved. Cotton fabric can be used to make the sewing process easier. Previous experience in sewing a lining might be helpful if you’ve never done this before.
“Little Red Riding Hood” style hooded cape
Download now from Heather Handmade – FREE
- Sizes: Ages 3 – 10.
- Design: Semi-circle-shaped cape. Attached high, pointy hood. Unlined. Ribbon tie fastening below the chin.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight woven fabric. For example, cotton, cotton lawn, cotton twill, and velvet.
- Format: PDF digital download in US letter and A4 sizes. Instructions are included in the blog post here.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think this would be a good pattern for an adventurous beginner with some sewing experience. The style of the cape is simple and although the written instructions are quite vague, the illustrations are clear and helpful. A complete beginner with no sewing experience might struggle with the lack of detail in the instructions.
“S8483” Children’s costume capes with style variations
Buy now from Simplicity – $13.97
- Sizes: S – L. Chest: 22” – 27” (56 – 69 cm).
- Design: Children’s costume capes with style variations. Wizard, space warrior, gamer, unicorn, and mermaid designs are included. Optional hood. Optional high collar, Tie under the chin. Length variations.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight woven fabric. For example, voile, cotton lawn, cotton twill, velvet, or faux fur.
- Format: Paper pattern with printed instruction booklet.
- Suitable for beginners? No. I think this pattern would better suit an intermediate sewist with some prior experience. The suggested fabrics for some of the capes can be difficult to work with, and attaching a hood can also be tricky. A complete beginner would struggle with some of the techniques involved in this make.
Batman superhero cape
Read tutorial now from Craft Passion – FREE
- Sizes: Approximately 6-8 years. Exact measurements aren’t included.
- Design: Full-length Batman superhero cape. Inverted scalloped edging. Velcro neck fastening. Appliqué Batman logo at the back.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight woven fabric with drape. Satin is suggested, but cotton, voile, polyester or velvet with drape can also be used.
- Format: Blog post with instructions for how to cut out and sew the cape.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think an advanced, confident beginner with some experience could sew this cape. The style is simple and there are photo illustrations included. However, some of the folding instructions could be confusing if you haven’t sewn anything similar before. Satin fabric can be tricky to work with, so choose a stable cotton to make the sewing process easier.
“M7000” Winter Princess cape with collar and capelet
Buy now from Something Delightful – $13.27
- Sizes: Ages 3 – 14. Chest: 22” – 32” (53 – 81 cm).
- Design: Long cape with stand-up collar. Attached capelet overlay. Fully lined. Optional trim. Decorative closure.
- Fabric: Medium to heavy-weight woven fabric with drape. For example, wool blends, coating, boiled wool, or cotton / wool twill.
- Format: Paper pattern with printed instruction booklet.
- Suitable for beginners? No. I think this pattern would better suit an intermediate to advanced sewist. The cape includes some intricate details such as attaching a stand-up collar and a capelet overlay which a complete beginner would struggle with. Lining the cape with such a large amount of fabric involved would also be difficult to do without previous experience.
“Traveller” cape with collar and hood variations
Buy now from Twig and Tale – $12
- Sizes: Ages 1 – teen. Also available in adult sizes here.
- Capelet Length 6.7 – 11” (17 – 28 cm)
- Classic Length 12.2 – 19.3” (31 – 49 cm)
- Cloak Length 19 – 27” (48 – 69 cm)
- Design: Kids’ cape with length, collar, and hood variations: pixie Hood, classic round hood, or collar. Fastens under the chin. Fully lined and reversible. Additional animal add-on designs are available here.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight woven fabric. For example, wool blends, cotton, cotton lawn, cotton twill, velvet, linen, or waterproof fabric.
- Format: PDF digital download in US letter and A4 sizes, A0 copyshop file. Projector files are available. Instructions are included with the download.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think this pattern would suit an advanced beginner with some previous sewing experience. Use a stable fabric that is easy to work with such as a cotton blend to make the sewing process easier.
Self-drafted patchwork cloak (+Video)
Watch tutorial now on Sewing Bee Fabrics – FREE
- Sizes: Child sized.
- Design: Quarter circle, patchwork cape. Fully reversible. Button fastening under the chin.
- Fabric: Light to medium-weight woven fabric scraps. For example, wool blends, quilting cotton, cotton lawn, cotton twill, velvet, or linen scraps.
- Format: Youtube video with instructions for how to cut and sew the cape.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think this pattern could suit a beginner sewist with some sewing experience. The designer suggests the cape can be sewn from one piece of fabric and doesn’t need to be patchwork, which would make the process quicker and easier. The design of the cape is simple with an easy button and loop fastening.
Quick Q&A’s:
How much fabric do I need for a full cape?
Capes can be sewn from as little as 1 yard of fabric to as much as around 5-6 yards depending on the size, style, and length of the cape you wish to make. A floor-length, fully lined cape for an adult will require around 6 yards of fabric whereas an unlined cape for a child will require around 1-2 yards.
What fabric is used to make a cape?
Depending on the style of your cape, a wide variety of fabrics may be used. Wool, felt or faux leather could be used for a costume cape for a knight or a medieval character. For a princess-style cape, satin, silk, velvet or voile may be used.
For a children’s or adults’ outerwear cape, wool or coating fabric is a great choice as this will keep you warm and cozy. Waterproof fabrics may be used for a child’s cape as an alternative to wearing a raincoat.
What to read next?
- How to Sew Wool Fabric from Start to Finish
- 34 Best Sewing Patterns & Projects for Wool Fabric
- 19 Kimono & Dressing Gown / Robe Sewing Patterns
This article was written by Sally Gauntlett, and edited by Nisan Aktürk.
Sally Gauntlett (author)
Sally started sewing as a child. In 2008, she started a handmade business selling personalized gifts and homeware. She then became a sewing content creator, sharing her makes on Youtube and Instagram. Read more…