{tutorial} Super Hero Shirts with Velcro Capes

 

Well, that's the cutest superhero I've ever seen if I do say so myself!  These superhero shirts with velcro capes are the simplest sewing project-- even the most beginner sewer can manage these. Promise.  The only sewing required is to attach four pieces of velcro and you could even do that by hand stitching if you don't have a machine.

 Needed:

• 2 shirts in coordinating colors (I used a striped for the actual shirt and a solid for the cape)
• Freezer Paper
• Fabric Paint
• Exacto Knife
• Iron
• Sponge Brushes
• Scissors
• Velcro & Sewing Machine (or needle and thread)
• Oh and some sort of pattern from the computer.  If you know any little boys with names starting in "M" or "G" you are welcome to download my patterns HERE.  OR if you need an "L" you can download it HERE.  (The "L" is for our little cousin we'll see in a few days)

First-- print your patterns onto the paper side of the freezer paper.  I typically print on the fast draft mode in order to not waste ink.  A clear print out is not necessary because you'll just be cutting and painting over it anyways.  

Tip:  To print onto the freezer paper I cut it to the same size as a piece of paper and lightly tape the edges down to the piece of paper so it will feed through the printer easily.  MAKE SURE TO TAPE THE WAXY SIDE DOWN AGAINST THE PRINTER PAPER.

 Next, with your exacto knife cut your image out.

 Make sure to save all of those little pieces so you can put it back together on the shirt.  You'll see-- keep reading.

 After you've cut your image out, place the freezer paper waxy side down against the shirt and iron in place, making sure to iron the edges down nicely so the paint won't bleed through.

TIP:  Place a piece of paper in between the shirt layers so the paint won't bleed through onto the back side!

Now, onto your fabric paint.  I use the tulip brand and I've had this bottle laying around for a while so a little goes a long way.  If you apply too much it will be gloppy and nobody wants a gloppy super hero outfit.

 

 Using your sponge brushes paint your shirts.  You may need to put a couple of coats, especially if you're using white paint on a darker shirt.

On the cape shirts I used the reversed images that were left over from the cutout freezer paper. 

 Now, go to the park with your kidlets because it takes a couple of hours to dry completely.

 Once the paint is dry, remove all of the freezer paper.  You may have to use your exacto knife to help pry some of those smaller areas off.

 After you've removed all of the freezer paper you'll want to heat set them so they wash up nicely.  Place a thin towel on top of the shirts and iron the dried paint.  This will make the white paint set up and sort of puff up a tad bit.  I haven't seen it do that with any other colors but white.

 Onto the sewing part...  pin your fuzzy velcro on the backside of the shirts just below the shoulder seam.

 Cut your cape out following the seams on the back of your solid (cape) shirt.  I cut the neck line out, but left the bottom seam intact.  My plan was to serge the raw edges, but after it was cut I liked the look of it, so I left it.  

 Once all velcro pieces are sewn on it's done!

 This little superhero is ready to save the world one sweet baby giggle at a time!

**As a safety precaution, don't forget to remove the cape when the child is not in your sight. :)