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DIY: Chanel-Style Black-and-White Cape (from Two Sweatshirts)
Adapted from the book "Kakkoii Kuchu-ru Rimeeku" ("Cool Couture Remake") by Hiroko Yamase (Bunka Publishing, 2009). (I've written about this book a little while ago in this post on how to make a Convertible Blouson Tunic from 3 Men's Sweatshirts). To me, this sweet little cape seems slightly Chanel-ish, two-toned, sleek...anything but sweatshirt-like.

(And if you made the tunic following that tutorial, you will have found yourself left with the top half of 3 sweatshirts. In this project we'll use the top half of 1 for our cape, and as to what to do with the remaining 2 sweatshirts...stay tuned!)

Posted by carlyjcais from Portland, Oregon, United States • Published See carlyjcais's 60 projects »
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  • How to make a capelet. Chanel Style Black And White Cape - Step 1
    Step 1

    Measure and Cut
    1. Measure and mark 5.5" down from the neck opening on your first sweatshirt, on the center front.

  • How to make a capelet. Chanel Style Black And White Cape - Step 2
    Step 2

    Measure and mark 8 5/8" on each side of neck opening on the shoulder seams.

  • How to make a capelet. Chanel Style Black And White Cape - Step 3
    Step 3

    Connect the marks you made in a semicircle around the neck portion of your sweatshirt.

  • How to make a capelet. Chanel Style Black And White Cape - Step 4
    Step 4

    2. Cut out the neck along the line you made, cutting through both front and back of the sweatshirt.

  • How to make a capelet. Chanel Style Black And White Cape - Step 5
    Step 5

    3. Mark and measure 15" up from the ribbed hem of your second sweatshirt. Draw a line straight across the shirt from side to side (it should be very close to right under the arms).

  • How to make a capelet. Chanel Style Black And White Cape - Step 6
    Step 6

    4. Cut along the line, through both front and back of your sweatshirt.

  • Step 7

    5. Draw a rectangle 4" high by 8" long on the remaining fabric of the sweatshirt from Step 4). Cut it out.

  • How to make a capelet. Chanel Style Black And White Cape - Step 8
    Step 8

    6. Draw another, smaller rectangle measuring 2" high x 2.75" long on the same sweatshirt and cut it out.

  • How to make a capelet. Chanel Style Black And White Cape - Step 9
    Step 9

    Your cut pieces should look like this:

  • Step 10

    Pin
    7. Turn the 15"-high bottom half you cut out in Step 4) upside down, and pin on top of the cut edge of the neck piece from Step 2). Overlap the ribbed edge about 1/2" onto the cut edge of the neck piece, following the curved edge. Pin along edge.

  • How to make a capelet. Chanel Style Black And White Cape - Step 11
    Step 11

    8. Fold both the smaller rectangles you cut in half lengthwise, right sides together, and pin edges.

  • Step 12

    Machine Sew
    9. Sew both smaller rectangle along their longer edges, about 1/8" from cut edge. Turn each right side out again - this will create two tubes. (not pictured)

  • How to make a capelet. Chanel Style Black And White Cape - Step 13
    Step 13

    10. Sew the cape main parts together, stitching on top of the ribbing in a matching thread, about 3/8" from edge. If both your sweatshirts are exactly the same size, the neck piece should not be gathering despite the stretch from the ribbing. (Mine is b/c I used an L sweatshirt for the neck and an XL sweatshirt for the bottom...my bad!)

  • How to make a capelet. Chanel Style Black And White Cape - Step 14
    Step 14

    11. Hem your cape, turning over about 1/2" at the bottom and stitching a 3/8" hem.

  • How to make a capelet. Chanel Style Black And White Cape - Step 15
    Step 15

    Hand-Sew
    12. Flatten the larger rectangle tube you made in Step 9), roll the seam to the center, and fold each end over to meet in the middle. Hand-stitch ends together to make a bow.

  • How to make a capelet. Chanel Style Black And White Cape - Step 16
    Step 16

    13. Flatten the smaller rectangle tube, roll the seam to the center, and stitch one end to your stitching in the center of your bow from Step 11).

  • How to make a capelet. Chanel Style Black And White Cape - Step 17
    Step 17

    14) Roll the strip around your bow, pull tight to the back to make your bow "poufy," and secure in the back again with more stitches.

  • How to make a capelet. Chanel Style Black And White Cape - Step 18
    Step 18

    15. Stitch bow onto the center of your cape, slightly above the ribbing seam. (not pictured)

    You're done! A lovely cape - just in time for cold weather.
    And don't forget to cut the remaining parts of your sweatshirts in the same fashion - and just reverse the colors - and you can make a second cape to give to someone this holiday season! Brrrr! I feel the winter chills coming on!:-)

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Comments

Lucia
Lucia · San Luis Obispo, California, US · 6 projects
I've wanted a cape for ages!! Thanks! You're stuff is so great!!!
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