Four Capes From One Skirt

The theme for Burning Man this year is Metropolis. This can only mean one thing¹: you need a Superman cape.

Fortunately you can find everything you need to make not just one but 4 capes by hitting up a thrift store or rummaging through your costume box.

I put together the rest of my costume for less than $10, all from items you can find in your local department store. For a full breakdown of how I did it, check out my blog.


1: Actually, it means many, many things. You can find out more here.

I was able to find everything I needed at home, but if you're not a hoarder like me, you may need to pick up a few things from a thrift shop.

You'll need:

• long skirt
• t-shirts
• sewing machine or needle & thread
• scissors & seam ripper

I found my skirt for few bucks at a thrift store last year and wore it on the playa. The t-shirts we got for free while volunteering at a music festival.

Using a seam ripper or scissors, separate the skirt from its lining and undo the two side seams.

You should now have 4 cape-shaped pieces of fabric.

Test out one of the capes to make sure it is the right size for you. Trim if necessary.

Cut the collar off of a t-shirt.

Save the rest of the shirt to make yourself a Superman logo or something equally awesome.

Finish the edges of your cape so the fabric won't fray.

Pin the cape to the collar and sew it together.

Wear your cape with pride!

Just remember the warning of Edna Mode:

[Thunderhead's] cape snagged on a missile fin!
Stratogale! ... Cape caught in a jet turbine!
 Metaman, express elevator! Dynaguy, snagged on takeoff! Splashdown, sucked into a vortex!
 

If you are making a cape for a child, please cut the collar and add a velcro closure so they don't wind up like Thunderhead.