Fringe Element Poncho

Instructions

This poncho is made of pre-launered wool crepe. Yes, you can wash woolens. Have you ever seen a wet sheep? It is cut in one piece, with just an opening to pop it over one's head. I narrow-hemmed all the edges, and of course, the neckline stretched too much despite my best efforts, so I gathered it a bit around the shoulders. I did not want to have an off-the-shoulder poncho. Then I made bias fringe for all the edges, exactly as I demonstrated in my class, "Plus SIze Pattern Fitting and Design." Picking out the fringe took FOREVER. I did it with a tiny crochet hook instead of my usual darning needle, which did help me avoid hand fatigue. I used two (four finished) layers of uneven widths for the neckline, and just one piece (2 finished layers) for the lower edge. I just picked out the weave, brushed it with a clothes brush, and steamed it. I love the fringe; it looks like fur, and the poncho has great movement and swing. I will probably wear it around the house like a sweater, as well as out and about.

To cut the poncho, just fold your piece of fabric in quarters. In the corner where the folds meet, cut a circle shape about the same circumference as your head; the opening WILL stretch as you finish the raw edges. Along one arm of the folded fabric, mark the finished length from your neck to your wrist with arm outstretched. On the other side of the folded fabric, mark the length from neck to lower pointed edge at CF and CB. Connect the arm length mark to the CF/CB mark in an attractive curved shape, forming a right angle at the arm side fold and a point at the lower CF and CB fold This poncho is made of pre-launered wool crepe. Yes, you can wash woolens. Have you ever seen a wet sheep? It is cut in one piece, with just an opening to pop it over one's head. I narrow-hemmed all the edges, and of course, the neckline stretched too much despite my best efforts, so I gathered it a bit around the shoulders. I did not want to have an off-the-shoulder poncho. Then I made bias ...
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Difficulty:

Category: Sewing

Type of item: Clothing

For: Plus-sized

Style: Classic, Traditional, Whimsical, Funky

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Materials

Wool crepe.

What was your inspiration?

My daughter bought a Missoni poncho for herself for Christmas, of a different design, but of course I tried it on and lusted after it. This might be the only RTW garment in average sizes that would fit me. However, I am cheap and I like to make things. I had 3 yards of off-white wool crepe laying around. I pre-laundered it in cool water and hung it to dry, and I liked the light, fluffy, warm texture of the fabric.

What are you most proud of?

Having the patience to spend DAYS picking out the bias fringe. I knew it would take a long time because the threads were much finer than the tweeds that I usually use for bias fringe, and crepe threads are tightly twisted which makes them stick together and resist unraveling. However, that twist also makes the fringe extra fluffy and furry looking. I did make samples of ruffles as an option to fringe, but I didn't like the look. A plain topstitched narrow hem was boring, too. I'm glad I did the fringe, and I hope it doesn't matt up when I launder it again.

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

Cut the neckline MUCH smaller than you think it needs to be. Staystitch or use fusible tricot to stabilize the neckline edge. Then finish the edge with a narrow hem. If the resulting neckline ends up too small to fit over your head, just trim off the narrow hem and start again to make the opening bigger.