Posts Tagged ‘superhero cape’

No-Sew T-shirt Superhero Cape

Here’s a classic I recently adapted from my second book, Generation T: Beyond Fashion, because, hey,  it’s superhero season (okay, okay, when is it not??). A plain T-shirt is the key ingredient to this phonebooth-like transformation. Whether you’re a superhero at rest, or in action (leaping tall buildings in a single bound, racing faster than a locomotive, and generally exercising capabilities well beyond those of mortal men and women — you know, the usual), this cape has got you covered. Well, partially covered. It’s got your back, at least. (HA!)

superhero finish2 generation-t.com

The superhero in my household requested an orange lightning bolt on his cape, so once I created the basic shape, I made a couple of stencils I could layer to get the two-color effect. The length can be customized, so rest assured that adults and children of any size can be made super!

PS: Let me know how you like seeing my illustrations in the tutorial. A throwback to the books….

megan-nicolay-blog-footer

What you need:
-T-shirt
-Pencil or pen
-Ruler
-Fabric scissors
-Freezer paper (for stencils)
-Craft knife and cutting mat
-Warm iron
–Tulip ColorShot Instant Fabric Color (fabric spray paint)

superhero materials generation-t.com

PART 1: The cape.
1. Lay the T-shirt flat, back side up. Use the pencil and ruler to mark a diagonal line from about 4″ up from the T-shirt hem along the left side of the shirt to a point 2″ left of the neckband. Mark a second diagonal line from about 4″ up from the T-shirt hem along the right side of the shirt to a point 2″ right of the neckband.

2. Continue the diagonal lines over each shoulder at the top until they intersect just below the front of the neckband.

3. Continue the diagonal lines around to the front of the shirt at the bottom until they reach the hem.

4. Cut along the pencil markings, through just one layer, and around the neckband in the front.

Superhero StepsA-D generation-t.com

Slip the neckband over your superhero’s head. The hem at the bottom adds a nice weight, but check that it isn’t too long so that it’s in danger of getting snagged or stepped on, and trim it if necessary.
Superhero StepE generation-t.com

PART 2: The design.
1. Head on over to the iLoveToCreate blog for the stenciling tutorial!

PART 3: The execution. 
1. Test out your cape’s powers!

superhero finish generation-t.com

[ Comments Off on No-Sew T-shirt Superhero Cape | Posted on August 26th, 2015 ]

Generation T: The Next Generation

With Mother’s Day yesterday, and Father’s Day just around the corner, today’s post is inspired by those who inspire the next generation of DIYers. Here are some photos from my recent workshops at Holderness School–with my late afternoon crew. Even though Holderness is a high school, the school serves a much wider community in the faculty families that live on and near campus. After the Artward Bound Workshops were done for the afternoon, my late afternoon kids started to arrive (after they got out of middle, elementary, or preschool!).

With dad’s encouragement, superstar DIYer Ella showed up almost every afternoon. This particular project is Knotty by Nature, project #44 from Generation T. And, rather than the traditional tube top underneath, she opted to snip a tank top from a colorful striped shirt she found in the donations. She also notes, “You can wear the knotted top around your waist over jeans or leggings!”

Mama Nikki decked out Molly and Mason in their superhero capes and boas (Mighty My Tee, project #55 and Tic Tac Boa, project #115, both from Generation T: Beyond Fashion) which they wore in the student fashion show (and, I’m told, all around the house!). Note: Molly’s skirt is also a T-shirt refashion — an outgrown dress whose top was cut off to make way for a T-shirt waistband!

Claire and Michael (who are a little young yet to be handling the sharp scissors) donned T-shirt smocks and, with mom’s help, used fabric markers and fabric spray paints to personalize T-shirts that welcomed their dad back from his 10-day camping trip.

Mama Lindley helped Lindon apply stencils for fabric painting while baby Stella looked on and murmured noises of encouragement.

Ella was back for more, following the instructions to make Outer Lace, project #16 in Generation T.

The next day, she brought her pal Chase so they could make matching spray painted tank tops (Sew Easy, project #26, in Generation T).

And Phoebe and Ella appeared together in the fashion show with in their Outer Lace tank tops (and, note the Knotty by Nature top worn as a sassy skirt!).

So here’s to all the parents out there who inspire and encourage kids to pick up scissors or markers or pencils — or any other creative instrument — and DIY. My own parents are two of the craftiest, handiest, creative people I know, and I wouldn’t be here writing this post today if it weren’t for them!

[ Comments Off on Generation T: The Next Generation | Posted on May 9th, 2011 ]