Ruby and Jack Patterns: The 10 Minute Cozy Poncho Tutorial

I see warm, drapey blanket ponchos everywhere I look these days! They are just perfect for wearing on a hayride, sleigh-ride, or roasting marshmallows outside.

As a sewing person I inspect clothing constantly to see how it's constructed. It's a little embarrassing sometimes when I get a raised eyebrow from friends who haven't shopped with me before, or from fellow customers in a store. My kids just tell them, "My mom is seeing how she can make that!" Well, this one is just TOO easy not to share. Grab a yard and a half or so of a beautifully printed, non-fraying fabric and you are literally 10-minutes away from finishing one of these! If your fabric of choice needs to be hemmed to prevent fraying, make that 20-30 minutes tops. For mine, I used fleece.

STEP #1: MEASURE

This project is essentially just a rectangle. To get your size, take the following two measurements:

First, you will get your width measurement. Have your child stand with both arms straight out, or you can lay a long-sleeved tee shirt flat on the floor with arms out. Either way will work. Measure from the point at about mid-forearm to the same point on the other arm. Mine was 30 inches across.

Next, you need your length. Measure from the top of the shoulder to about half-way between waist and knee. Mine was 24 inches. Double that length as you'll be folding the poncho over front and back.

STEP #2: CUT

Lay out your fabric with the direction of stretch running horizontally and cut a rectangle using your length and width measurements.

Now, find and mark the middle point of your rectangle.

STEP #3: FRONT SLIT

Cut a straight line from the mid-point of your bottom edge up to the middle point of the rectangle. Toward the top of the slit, you may want to round out a narrow tear drop shape for a smoother neckline. You can also use scissors to round the corners of desired.

If your fabric is prone to fraying, now is the time to sew a regular or rolled hem all the way around the cut edges.

STEP #4: SIDE STITCHES

Fold your rectangle in half from top to bottom with wrong-sides-together, so that the slit is in front. Find the mid-point of the right and left edges. Stitch a horizontal line about 2 inches long on both sides as shown. This will form your arm opening.

STEP #5: CLOSURE

You may stop here if you'd like, or add a front closure. I had two buttons and a hair elastic on hand; but a toggle, frog clasp, or button with button-hole would work well too!