Crafting for every season...





... with a little ribbon, felt and string...





... to make something warm and cozy...





... with soft green...





... and brown...





... and a little magic fitted with...





... the best of the current season...





... autumn today...





... winter, spring and summer to follow.

The reversible hooded cape: perfect attire for fairy kings and queens everywhere...

How to make a simple hooded cape:

1.5 yards of green fabric

1.5 yards of brown fabric

ribbon (one or two colors for lining the base of the cape and the arm holes and for the draw string)

1 bamboo stick, dowel or tree branch for making the wand (some ribbon will be used for the handle)

Instructions:

Fold each piece fabric in half lengthwise. Sew across the top of each piece (the shorter side of the "L" shape). Once each color is sewn this way slip one "L" inside the other with the seams facing out on each side (see second image above). connect the two pieces by first sewing the long "U" shape they now make.

Once that is done you can flip the fabric pieces inside out (just like you would a pillow case) and sew the remaining open seam together.

I opted to simply sew this on the serger and then I edged the bottom hem with some ribbon to finish it off.

To make the hood, measure down from the top seam 15-18" (this makes for a generous hood) and sew two parallel lines 3/4" apart around the width of the hood. Open up the front seams (near where the hood opening will be) in between these two seams on each side of the hood and thread the drawstring through by attaching it to a safety pin and using that to push through the channel created by the two seams.

If you aren't interested in arm holes, your cape is now complete! If you would like arm holes, have your little fairy king or queen try on the cape and mark the spot on one side where the holes would need to be (around elbow level). Once you have this marking you can fold the cape in half lenghtwise and place it on top of a cutting board of some sort. Then with an exacto knife and a ruler cut the opening through both sides of the cape at the same time. This insures that the holes will be in the same position on each side. finish off the openings with ribbon edging (see 3rd and 4th photos above).

For the wand simply tie ribbon to one end leaving a little extra to flow down, and adorn with the best of whatever season you are in... flowers for spring, green leaves for summer, golden leaves for fall, icicle for winter. Pair with whichever color of the cape seems most fitting.

And if you really want to finish it of just right, take a look at these beautiful flower and leaf masks and crowns!



~Sarah



*Last time in Crafts and Activities: In the Shadows

*Current Giveaway: Zen Ghosts!