SEA CREATURE- SHARK CAPE COSTUME

Instructions

Reference the downloadable project sheet for project pattern diagrams.

Step 1

From the template provided, cut out:

• 4x cape pieces from Mermaid Knit
• 2x hood back pieces from Mermaid Knit
• 2x shark fin pieces from Mermaid Knit
• 2x shark fin pieces from fusible fleece
• 2x hood front pieces from polar fleece
• 2x hood lining pieces from polar fleece

Step 2

Fuse fusible fleece to the wrong side of the shark fin pieces of fabric. With right sides facing, pin then sew fin pieces together with a 1 cm seam allowance along the curved edges leaving the flat base edges open. Trim fleece back to stitching. Clip and trim seams, turn right way out, press flat with pressing cloth.

Light stuff the fin with Hobby Fill to desired fullness. Sew raw edges closed.

Step 3

Lay one of the cape pieces right way up. Pin the fin to the back middle seam edge as per indicated on template. Sew fin to cape piece 1 cm in from raw edge.

Lay the other side of the cape on top, right sides facing, aligning all edges. Pin and sew the center middle edges together with a 1.5 cm seam allowance. Press seam open with a pressing cloth.

Step 4

Sew the remaining other two cape pieces together in the center middle seam.

With right sides facing, pin the sewn cape pieces together along all of the outer seams. Leaving the neck edges open, sew the cape pieces together with a 1 cm seam allowance. Trim & clip seam allowance. Turn cape right way out through the neck opening. Using a pressing cloth, press the cape flat.

Baste neck edges together, 1 cm in from the raw edges.

Step 5

Fuse a small amount of Vliesofix to the back of black felt scraps.

From templates provided, trace 2x eyes on to the backing paper on the black felt. Cut shapes out.

Peel off backing paper and place glue side down on each back hood piece as per template. With a pressing clothing, fuse in place with iron. Top stitch eyes in place.

Step 6

Sew darts into back hood pieces. Press darts up.

With right sides facing, pin one hood back piece to one front hood piece. Sew together with 1 cm seam allowance. Clip seam and press open. Repeat with other hood pieces to make other side of outer hood.

With right sides facing, pin the outer hood pieces together, aligning outer edges and seams.

Sew the top angular sides and back curved edges together (side with dart), leaving the front and base edges open. Clip seams and turn right way out, press.

Step 7

Sew darts into hood lining pieces. Press darts down.

Using the hood lining template as a guide, cut from fusible fleece 2x pieces to fit from the top of the dart on one side, over to the top front face corner and up to the top peak of hood. Fuse to the wrong side of the hood lining pieces. This will give the hood stability in its height.

With right sides facing, pin the hood lining pieces together, aligning outer edges and darts.

Sew the top angular sides and back curved edges together (side with dart), leaving the front and base edges open. Trim fusible fleece back to stitching. Clip seams and turn right way out, press.

Step 8

Pin the jumbo ric rack trim to the front raw edge of the right side of the hood lining, placing the center of the trim 1 cm in from the raw outer edge.

Turn the outer hood wrong way out, and place over the hood lining, right sides facing. Pin together along the front raw edges. Sew front edges together 2-3 mm further in than the ric rack trim stitching. Leave neckline edges open.

Turn hood right way out through neckline opening. Baste neckline raw edges together.

Top stitch along front of hood 1cm in from front edge with ric rac trim.

Step 9

With right sides facing, pin hood to cape neckline. Clip cape neckline to stitching if needed to fit. Sew together with a 1 cm seam allowance.

This neckline seam can be neatened by overlocking, zig zag stitching or encasing in bias binding trim. Remove any visible basting stitches.

Cut ribbon length into 2x 35 cm lengths.

Pin each ribbon length to the inside edge of where the hood and cape join. Stitch ribbon in place through all layers.