Creating Superheros

Most kids love the idea of being a Super Hero, and whilst we've got Batman and Robin, and lets not forget Superman, there is something special about a unique Hero.

The inspiration for this one came when my children were using the click together textas to make Super Hero Arm Bands, strapping them around their wrists and pretending they performed all sorts of tricks.

So anyway, last year I decided to make some Super Hero Armbands and a Cape for each of them allowing them to be their own Super Heroes.

Armbands - What I used:
Cooking Paper - for pattern
Fabric (1/2 metre)
Wading
Matching thread
Valcro
Decorations (Iron on patches / buttons etc whatever you prefer)

I made my own pattern using trusty cooking paper.  I measured how wide I'd need it to be to fit around their wrist / lower arm. 

So I pretty much made a rectangle shape and then using a ruler added a triangle to the top, then I used this pattern to cut out the fabric.

I needed two pieces of fabric one for the top and one for the bottom, I also inserted a piece of wading (cut to the same shape) in between.  I sewed this up, right sides together, turned inside out and finished with a stitch around the edge.

Then I sewed on a piece of valcro along the sides where I wanted it to join together.

Finally I added a couple of 'iron on' patches (however I did sew them on for durability), these act as Power Buttons.

My kids have worn these all over town on many occasions and have been very popular amongst friends.

Then Lulu kindly reminded me that you can't be a Super Hero without a Cape!

Being the diligent mother that I am, off I went to the fabric store with capes on my mind.  I decided to go with a satin finish just to give it that 'wow' factor, super shiny!

Capes - What I used:
1 metre of fabric
Thread to match
Thick dress elastic

I tried to do this as simply as possible. 

I folded the piece of fabric I had in half, and trimmed as necessary to make sure they wouldn't trip over it when it was finished.  

I made sure the fold was at the bottom, then sewed up the sides, stopping about 2 inches from the top. 

Using an iron I folded in the top about an inch and then sewed a seam across the top, ensuring there was still an opening about an inch wide along the seams. 

This allowed me to thread the elastic through.  Once through I sewed the two ends together so the elastic essentially became a circle, with the cape hanging off it.

It's easy for the kids to pull over their heads. 

The elastic gives it a little pull, if they were to get caught on anything.

Again, they loved them, some days they can be seen all day with their capes and arm bands on, then they'll get packed away in the dress ups for a month without a mention.

But when all is said and done they were a hit.  Things like this will never date, and by choosing our own colours / style they are not over commercialised.

 Tom with his Cousin, embracing the superhero

I love to embrace the kids enthusiasm when it comes to dressing up.  That said I think I can officially say we have no more room in our home for any more dress ups!

What's your child's favourite dress up?  Or do they run as far away as possible from any sort of fancy dress?

Cheers



Mandy.