Poncho Pattern Maker
A poncho is little more than two rectangles with a neck opening, which makes it a forgiving thing to sew. Set the full span and the shoulder-to-hem drop, and your head circumference so the neck opening clears your head.
Choose a round or V neckline, a hemmed or bias-bound edge, side ties to keep it closer, and a reversible version.
Make it yours: Change the span and hem length, make a reversible version, choose a round or V neck, and add side ties where they feel comfortable.
Make this pattern in your size →What you can change
Size
- Full span: 80–180 cm (31½–70⅞″). Across both arms from one side edge to the other. Compare with a wrap you like.
- Shoulder to hem: 40–100 cm (15¾–39⅜″). Length of both front and back from shoulder line to hem.
Sizes are typed in centimetres, millimetres or inches. The starting size is Full span 120 cm (47¼″), Shoulder to hem 65 cm (25⅝″).
Options
- Neckline: round or V neck
- Outside edges: double-fold hem or bias binding
- Switches: Reversible, Side ties
- Measurements and counts: Head circumference, Neck width, Front neck depth, Each tie length, Tie distance below shoulder
Starting points
These are sizes and settings to begin from, and every one stays fully editable. Type your own measurements, or start from the nearest one.
| Starting point | Finished size, cm | Same starting point in round inches |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday wrap | 120 cm full span · 65 cm shoulder to hem | 48″ full span · 26″ shoulder to hem |
| Reversible poncho | 130 cm full span · 70 cm shoulder to hem · reversible | 52″ full span · 28″ shoulder to hem · reversible |
| Short shoulder wrap | 100 cm full span · 45 cm shoulder to hem | 40″ full span · 18″ shoulder to hem |
Cutting list
At the starting size (Full span 120 cm (47¼″), Shoulder to hem 65 cm (25⅝″)) the pattern has these pieces. Fabric sizes include seam allowance, interfacing is cut to the stitching line, and pieces cut on the fold are shown opened out. Each size is the width and height of the piece as cut.
| Piece | Fabric | Cut | Size to cut | How |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poncho front | Main fabric | 1 on the fold | up to 122.4 × 67.2 cm (up to ≈48¼ × ≈26½″) | Shaped: cut from the printed piece |
| Poncho back | Main fabric | 1 on the fold | up to 122.4 × 67.2 cm (up to ≈48¼ × ≈26½″) | Shaped: cut from the printed piece |
| Neck binding | Main fabric | 2 | 5.5 × 36.3 cm (≈2⅛ × ≈14¼″) | Strip: cut by measurement |
You will also need: Thread. The cover page and materials list give the amounts for your size.
The maker’s fabric estimate at this size: Main fabric about 2.7 m of 112 cm fabric.
How it goes together
These are the maker’s own instructions at the starting size. They change with the options you pick, and the PDF carries the full set with the cover, cutting list and materials list.
- Sew a quick trial poncho first, in cheap fabric (an old sheet or calico is fine). Sew only the main seams with a long stitch and skip the finishing. Try it on and check the span, the hem length, that the neckline clears your head and that you can move your arms. Change the size, ease or lengths here and print again if needed, then cut your good fabric.
- Sew front and back shoulder seams right sides together at 1 cm, matching the shoulder notches. Press the seams open.
- Make the binding: join the strips on the diagonal, right sides together, press the seams open, then press the strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together.
- Bind the neckline: with raw edges level, sew the folded strip to the right side 0.8 cm from the edge, starting 2.5 cm in from one end of the strip and stopping the same distance short; join the strip's ends on the diagonal to fit, then sew the gap. Wrap the fold over the raw edge to the back and stitch in the ditch of the first seam from the front, catching the fold behind.
- Turn the side and bottom edges under by 6 mm twice. Mitre the bottom corners and stitch close to the inner fold. Leave both sides open.
Fabric suggestions
Outer: Soft woven cotton, linen, double gauze or light wool with enough drape for a loose wrap.
Lining: Unlined. Edges are finished with hems, a casing, a facing or binding cut from the same fabric.
Interfacing, padding or other layers: No interfacing. Finish the raw edges inside with a zigzag or overlocker as you sew each seam.
How each fabric family suits it
- Stable woven: great choice. Easiest to sew and press. Prewash: cotton and linen shrink.
- Heavy or stiff: possible, with care. Two thick layers can become bulky. Test the shoulder and binding in scraps first.
- Stretchy knit: works well. Comfortable and doesn’t fray. The roomy shape doesn’t rely on stretch; use a stretch stitch and don’t pull the fabric as it feeds.
- Slippery or fine: possible, with care. Drapes beautifully but shifts as you cut and sew. Cut single layer, pin within the allowance, and use a fine sharp needle.
The maker’s advice adjusts to the fabric family you pick in the Fabric tab.
Printing it
At the starting size the printed pieces take 20 A4 pages, taped together using the page labels, alignment marks and page map. For a print shop, choose a sheet from A0 to a 36″ roll: the pieces are packed onto as few sheets as they will fit on, and if one is too big for the sheet the maker says so. How printing, tiling and the test square work.
Frequently asked questions
Will it fit me perfectly?
No promise of that. This is a simple pattern with generous ease, not a precisely fitted one. Measure yourself, compare your measurements with the pieces, change the lengths and widths to suit you, and sew a trial version in cheap fabric first.
What size can I make?
The poncho pattern takes full span from 80–180 cm (31½–70⅞″); shoulder to hem from 40–100 cm (15¾–39⅜″). It starts at Full span 120 cm (47¼″), Shoulder to hem 65 cm (25⅝″), and you can work in centimetres, millimetres or inches. There are 3 starting points to begin from (Everyday wrap, Reversible poncho, Short shoulder wrap). Every starting point stays fully editable.
Which fabric suits the poncho pattern?
Soft woven cotton, linen, double gauze or light wool with enough drape for a loose wrap. In the maker’s fabric advice, stable woven is a great choice; stretchy knit works well; heavy or stiff and slippery or fine are possible with care.