Faux Fur-lined Tartan Poncho

I’ve been loving the fact that ponchos of all types are back again and have been wanting one for myself in a fun plaid. What could be better than a cozy wool tartan poncho wrapped around your shoulders? Line it with warm faux fur, and it’s even better!

I had a piece of vintage wool tartan in my stash and decided to pair it with a pretty, soft minky fur. Loose or belted, it is just the thing to keep away the chill. It’s so cozy it functions as outerwear and is easily thrown on inside when you need a quick warm-up.

As you would expect, it’s super simple to sew.

Materials to make a Fur-Lined Tartan Poncho

• Wool tartan fabric measuring 39″ wide and 60″ long (see below if you want to customize the fit*). (If your plaid is directional please note that the width will run across your chest and the length will go over your shoulders and down your body.)
• Faux fur minky or sherpa fleece fabric measuring 39″ and 60″ long.
• A strip of faux suede (make sure it has a bit of stretch) measuring 1.25″ x 30″ with the stretch running lengthwise. This will be used for the neck binding.
• Coordinating thread.
• Your BERNINA sewing machine (I use the BERNINA 580) and Reverse pattern foot #1/#1C/#1D

How to sew a Faux Fur-Lined Tartan Poncho

Place the tartan and faux fur right sides together and pin along all the edges, leaving a 5″ opening along one long side for turning. If you’d like, you can add additional pins in the center of the fabric to limit the amount of shifting while sewing.

Stitch the two pieces together using a .5″ seam allowance. Be careful to ease the faux fur as you sew so that it doesn’t shift and result in wonky seams. Start and stop at the 5″ opening.

Clip your corners to reduce bulk and turn your poncho right side out.

With the raw edges turned under, stitch the 5″ opening closed very close to the edge.

Now add a row of topstitching all the way around the edges of poncho with a .5″ seam allowance.

To create the neck opening, find the center of the poncho by folding it in half lengthwise and then width wise. Mark this with a pin.

Unfold the poncho. Measure out 5″ width-wise on either side of this center pin for the width of your neck opening and mark with pins.

Measure down from the center pin 3″ and mark with a pin for the front center of your neck opening.

Using a disappearing fabric pencil, draw your cutting line with a slight arch for the back neck (about 1″ up from the center pin), curving at the outer pins, and curving down to the center front pin.

Now cut your neck opening through both layers of fabric.  (It may help to pin around the cutting line to stabilize your layers.)

The final step is to bind the neck opening with your strip of faux suede. Starting at the center back, encase the raw edges of the neck opening by folding the suede binding in half over the edges. Pin generously all the way around the neck opening and overlap the binding 1″ to finish.

Using a zig-zag stitch on your BERNINA machine, stitch along the raw edge of the faux suede binding being careful to catch the binding on the underside.

The faux suede binding makes a beautiful finished neck opening.

I love the contrast of these materials! I hope you enjoy your cozy poncho!

*This size poncho fits most women, but if you would like to customize the fit you can take your own measurements and cut the fabric accordingly.

To take your measurements:

• Width: extend your arm parallel to the floor and measure the distance from the center of your chest to just below your elbow. Times this measurement by 2 and add 1 inch for seam allowances.
• Length: measure from your shoulder to your upper-thigh, or wherever you’d like the poncho to end. Times this measurement by 2 and add 1 inch for your seam allowances.

This approach to sizing also makes it possible to sew a child-sized poncho!