DIY Recorder (or Clarinet) Cape

On the blog today: make a recorder (or clarinet) cape.

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The idea is for coronavirus precautions, but be sure to do your own research & use it at your own risk. If you find a way to make it better, be sure to share it in the comments!

Scroll down toward the end of the post for a video too.

Supplies

jersey material, such as an upcycled t-shirt (cotton is probably best)
sewing machine & necessary accessories
elastic – long enough to fit & tie around the instrument
ruler or measuring tape (or you can eyeball it)
iron (not 100% necessary, but helpful)
pins (also not 100% necessary, but helpful)

Step 1

Cut the material to 14in x 17.5in (35cm x 18cm. If I were doing this again, I might make it wider.

Step 2

Fold a short edge over 1/2in (1cm). Pin & iron.

Step 3

Sew a stitch along your pinned area, leaving room to thread the elastic with a safety pin. It might be good to use a stretch stitch or zigzag stitch, but a straight stitch should also do the trick.

Step 4

Attach the elastic to a safety pin & thread through the casing you just made.

Step 5

Tie the elastic around the instrument. Before you tighten it too tight, make sure you can easily slip it on & off the instrument.

Step 6

Tighten the knot & trim the ends. Remove the safety pin somewhere in there.

Step 7

Just slip the cape on & off the instrument to (hopefully) reduce the spread of germs. Wash regularly.

Variations:

Hand stitch the seam.
Try using fabric glue in place of a stitched seam.
Snip holes to thread the elastic through, kind of like a shower curtain on a rod.
Use a rubber band instead of elastic with casing, much like in this video.
Go all out & add finished seams & use quilting cotton instead of jersey material.