How to Make a Rain Poncho

DIY Waterproof Poncho. Step by Step Tutorial. How to Make a Rain Poncho. 

 MATERIALS

- 2.5mx150cm Ripstop fabric
- Straight and curved ruler
- Erasable fabric marker or chalk
- Fabric clips
- Matching thread
- Basic sewing kit 
NOTES
- The seam allowance is 1.5cm unless otherwise stated

Measurements needed
- Length (L) = distance from the nape of the neck to the desired length
- Hood Height (H) = distance from your shoulder to the top of your head - This will give you the height of the hood. 

Cutting out
Step one. Measure and cut out a rectangle measuring (Lx2) x fabric width. Note that the fabric we used has a 150cm width.

Step two.  Right sides (RS) together, fold this long rectangle in half widthways, then fold it again widthways. The point at which both
folds meet is where the neckline will be cut out from. 

Step three.  Starting from the folded point, measure and mark 9.5cm on the fabric. From that same point, measure and mark until you have an even curve. Cut along the curve. 

Step four Open the rectangle and locate the centre front then cut along the centre front line. 

Cut and prep the hood
Step one. Measure and cut out a rectangle measuring 70cm x H (as a guide, our hood has a 37cm height measurement)

Step two. Fold the rectangle widthways and draw a curved line along the folded edge to shape the hood (we used a mid-sized plate
here and as a guide, the inside curve is about 11cm from the folded corner. 

Step three.  Along the other end of the folded edge, measure up and mark 2.5cm. Then from that point, mark a slightly curved line which would taper down to meet the neckline. Then cut out along both lines.
 
Step four. With RS together and using a 1.5cm seam allowance, stitch from the centre point and taper to the fold line (just as you would when stitching a dart). Then clip and finish off the raw edge using your preferred finishing method. 

Step five. Locate the centre back point on the hood and on the main poncho, then with RS together, match those centre backs and clip the rest of the hood to the poncho around the neckline. Note that clips are 
better to use than pins as they won’t leave holes in your fabric. 

Step six. Sew with a 1cm seam allowance, clip and finish the raw edge. 
Step seven Starting from one bottom of the centre front, fold and press under the raw edge, including the raw edge around the hood, by 1.3cm then fold again using the same measurement (use the iron’s lowest
setting). 

Step eight. Starting from the hem, stitch using a 1cm seam allowance up and around the hood and down to the other hem. 

Step nine. With the centre front finished, you will close up the centre front, leaving a V-opening for the easy wearing of the poncho. Our V-point is 21cm down from the neckline. So measure and mark this point.

Step ten.  Then from this point, overlap the centre front opening edges wrong sides (WS) together and carefully stitch them together.

Finish off the armholes and hem 
Step one. Finish off the raw edges of the two side seams using your preferred finishing method. Then with RS together, hold the side seams together using fabric clips.

Step two. Starting from the hem using a 1.5cm seam allowance, stitch the side seams together, leaving a 40cm opening along the side seam (this would serve as the armhole). 

Step three. In order to finish the armhole, fold under the opening by 1.5cm, then lightly press and stitch around with a 1.3cm seam allowance. Repeat with the other side seam.

Step four.  At this point, the hem should be the only raw edge of the poncho. To finish off this edge, fold under 1cm at the hem twice and lightly press. Hold the pressed edge using clips and sew the hem as close to the folded edge as possible.