Little Red Riding Hood Cape and Skirt Tutorial

Little Red cape and border print skirt

We received the long awaited Little Red Riding Hood fabric collection from Riley Blake Designs this week and oh my.... it is all so delicious!

My favourite is the border print which comes in 3 colours:

I knew this would be perfect to use for pretty girls skirts and dresses, so I have whipped out my favourite skirt pattern and I am happy to share it with you here.

Much consideration went into trying to work out what to do with the top of the border print and then it was simple.... lets make a cape! A reversible one!

Capes are so darn easy to make so I will show you how in this tutorial too.

The sizing for this pattern is so flexible. These patterns will fit ages 3 to 6 with only the waist elastic needed to be adjusted. You may also increase/decrease the skirt hem length as desired.

Here is what you will need:

For the both projects I used:

1.5 metre for the border and cape upper

1 metre for the cape lining and the skirt ties.

Skirt:

1.5m border print fabric for the skirt bottom

18cm  x 46cm for the skirt yoke

4 x 9cm x 45cm strips for the ties on the skirt

2cm wide elastic for the skirt waist

Click here for the skirt pattern piece

Skirt Construction

Cutting - Cut the border piece off for the skirt bottom it will measure 1.5m long by 24cm to the selvedge. Cut the selvedge off.

Cut the skirt yoke front and back on the fold.

Cut the tie straps

Tie Straps - With right sides together sew down both of the long sides of the tie straps. Sew a 45 degree angle to make a nice point on one of the ends. Leave the other end open to turn out and press.

Yoke side seams - Place both the front and back yoke pieces right sides together and pin the side seams. Measure 4.5cm down from the top of the yoke and insert your tie strap so the top of the tie is at this mark. The tie strap pieces need to be inside the yoke right sides together. Pin it and turn it out to make sure it is right before you sew. Repeat for the other side. Sew both side seams.

Yoke waist casing - fold and press down 1cm then again fold over a further 2.5cm and pin for the elastic casing. The tie straps will now be at the top of your skirt. Sew around the casing stopping and starting before and after each tie strap to make the elastic casing. Leave a 3cm opening to insert the elastic later.

Skirt side Seams - Fold the skirt bottom right sides together to match up the side seams and sew the side seam.

Hem - To hem the skirt, turn under 1cm and then turn a further 2cm and whiz around to sew your hem.

Gathering - Stitch 1.5cm down from the top of the skirt a running stitch all around the top of the skirt. Pull the running stitch to gather up the ruffles evenly around the skirt to match the width of the yoke bottom. Insert the gathered skirt inside the yoke right sides together and pin the gathering to the bottom of the yoke. Sew the yoke and the skirt bottom together. Press the seam upwards and top stitch along the seam to hold it in place.

Elastic - Thread the elastic through the casing with a safety pin. Overlap the ends by 2cm and sew the elastic ends together. Sew the opening closed.

Cape:

 

2 x 88cm x 88cm circle. (one fabric for outer and one fabric for lining)

For a longer cape use the full width of the fabric, this one was only 88cm because I cut the border off the bottom of the red spot fabric to use for the skirt.

For the outer fabric I used the red spot that was the top half of the border print, then chose 1 metre of the floral fabric for the lining which I was able to also make the ties for the skirt from the excess.

2 x 20cm x 40cm pieces for the collar (one fabric for outer and one fabric for lining) I used the same red spot.

1 x 20cm x 40cm interfacing for the collar if desired.

Click here for the cape pattern piece

Cutting - Here we are going to cut a big circle!

You should be left with approx 88cm x 88cm of your red spot fabric after cutting the border off. Otherwise use the full width of your fabric for a longer cape.

Fold your piece of fabric in half from one selvedge towards the other. Then fold the fabric over in the opposite direction to make a square.

At the top tip of the square measure down 7cm this will be the neck opening. Pin from one side to the other using your tape measure like a compass.

Then measure down again from the point down to 44cm and pin around to the other side. Or measure all the way down to the bottom of your fabric to make a longer cape.Cut out these two pieces as shown in this photo.

Cut from one edge of the fabric to the centre to make the front opening of the cape.

Collar - Cut 2 collar pieces on the fold and 1 piece of interfacing if desired.

Iron on the interfacing to one of the collar fabric pieces. Pin fabric right sides together and stitch around leaving the inside of the collar open. Now and turn out the right way and press. 

Fold your collar in half making a crease line to determine the centre back of the collar, do the same for your cape fabric pieces to determine the centre back of the cape.

Now place your collar on top of the cape fabric right sides together matching up these centre crease lines. Do the same for the other cape piece and placing the fabric right side down. Making a big sandwich and all right side of fabric pieces are facing each other.

Place a pin at this centre mark through all 3 pieces (outer fabric, collar, lining fabric) and start pinning all three pieces together working out to each side from the centre.

The photo below shows the outer fabric and the collar before the lining is then placed right sides together over the top to make your sandwich.

Your collar will finish approx 3cm each side of the capes opening.

Now pin all around the bottom cape until you run out of pins!

A handy tip is to press your fabrics so that they are all flat and it is easy to work with.

Sew all around making sure to leave a 10cm gap at the back of your cap so you can pull it all through to the right side out.

Pull your cape through the gap and press so that the seams lay nice and flat and top stitch all around also closing the gap that you pulled it all through.

Sew your button hole and buttons. I put 2 buttons back to back so it is fully reversible.

Wow you are done and pat yourself on the back for making such a stylish outfit in no time!