Super Heroes...

As a child I was a pillow-case-caped super hero...(you know, the kind who steals their mothers favorite pillow case, ties it around their neck, and Bam! Instant super-hero). My mother was never amused by this and always worried that I would end up joking myself...especially as I got bigger and it became harder to tie a knot that kept the pillow case on without choking myself. However, since I was getting both bigger AND taller...I simply switched to baby sheets...with the added benefit of the bottom curling under quite attractively when I used a baby sheet that was "hooked."

Why is this important you ask? Well, it isn't really. However, My nephews and nieces all like to be super heroes as well. And having three nephews at the age of three who are growing like weeds...and my sister-in-law was expressing a wish for an actual child-sized cape for her son Josh...because she had no more pillow cases that he could use....I came up with the brilliant idea that I could make capes for them all! Ones that were made just for them...and I could build in safety features...like Velcro clasps that would come undone if jerked hard (that way if the cape got caught on anything my beloved nephews and nieces would be perfectly fine instead of choking!)

So, Idea in hand I headed to the nearest fabric store. I originally conceived the idea with solid colored wool felt in mind...I thought it would look very dashing as they ran, and I could do an opposing solid color initial/name. But, once in the fabric store I was immediately smitten by all the printed flannels that were coincidentally on sale. My idea began to morph...what if I did a printed side and then a solid side? It could be reversible! New idea...and the wool felt was forgotten. I tried to choose colors and designs that my nephews and niece would love...and then went home to design my pattern and start sewing.

I loved everything I got except the sticky Velcro stuff...so annoying...so sticky it barely came off the sheet it was sold on...and then...not sticky enough to stay on the fabric without being sewed down...which left my needle all yucky. so annoying. However, it is done. success...five lovely capes. I did have to make a call and ask for measurements to be made on the nephew who lives in another state. But, his mother is super nice and very skilled with a tape measurer, so it was quickly done and the measurements sent.

I think the best part about this whole thing is that none of the kids were expecting anything...and suddenly they had super hero capes. It was amazing to see the nephews and niece here put them on and instantly be inspired to save the world. Another great thing...is even though I made five of them they were fairly quick to do which made for a good break from the quilts that I am still working on.