Cape Neckline (Sewing tutorial)

If you want the drama and flair of a cape on top of your regular everyday top, without adding another piece of clothing, the cape neckline is for you. It comes with a cape-like feature or a flounce attached to the neckline. This drapes over the shoulders, hands (and even your whole body if you want it that long) as an additional layer over your bodice.

If you live in a cold place you will also welcome the additional coverage of shoulders, and arms given by this neckline. If you are making it in a fine thin drapey fabric like I did, the cape element flows gracefully, creating a soft and ethereal silhouette.

How to sew the cape neckline

Skills you need to sew this neckline top : Knowledge of making a simple bodice top (Basic bodice block drafting Tutorial), cutting and sewing thin fabric (a challange of its own), hemming an edge with a hemmer foot, cutting a circle from a rectangle fabric.

Step 1. Cut a bodice

Cut front and back bodice for your top. The neckline is better in a rounded shape – I have cut a boat shaped neckline. The only stipulation is that the back and front neckline should be of the same dimensions.

Sew the shoulders of the front and back bodice together.

Finish the armhole edges.

Step 2. Decide on the length of the cape.

Take a tape measure and measure from the middle of your neckline to the length of the cape you need.

Double this measurement. Cut out a square fabric piece in this measurement.

So if your measurement A-B is 15 inches, cut out 30 inch square piece fabric. Plus 3/4 inches for edge

Fold this once and the fold again.

Mark a circle from the corner. Cut out the circle.

(Note: Instead of a circlular shape, you can give an asymmetrical cut to the cape neckline. Cut the cape panel in varying lengths. The front can be cut lower than the back or sides can be cut higher etc.)

Step 3. Mark the neckline on the cape fabric

Choose the fabric for the cape panel, first. If you want a flowy look choose lightweight fabrics like chiffon, georgette or thin silk. If you want a little more structured look go for medium weight fabrics like rayon.

You should be marking the same neckline as you made on the bodice, on the cape. You can open up the cape fabric , and then keep the bodice fabric on top and then mark the neckline through the neck hole and then cut it out.

Or just use the same dimensions used to mark the neckline ( minus the seam allowance at the shoulders)

and then Cut it out.

This is how it will look.

Finish the edges of the cape fabric with hemmer foot.

Here it is, the cape fabric, hemmed at the edge with the hemmer foot.

Step 4. Join the cape to the neckline of the top

Keep the cape fabric right side down on the bodice kept wrong side up. Sew the edges togther.

Turn the cape rightside out. The cape fabric will naturally turn to the right side.

Sew the side seams of the top and hem the bottom edge.

Related post: How to make a cape; Different Neckline designs for dresses ; Types of Sweetheart neck; Neckline Patterns ; Keyhole neckline pattern