Sew your own babywearing poncho:
The instructions below are for personal use only. If you wish to make these
ponchos to sell I would respectfully request an email and a link to this site.
Thanks!
Making you own reversible mama poncho can be an easy, no-sew project. Fleece
is the easiest to work with as it tends to be forgiving and does not ravel, but
with some effort and creativity you can use many different fabrics. Most polar
fleece comes in 58"-60" widths. If you wish to have a more finished poncho,
you might be interested in purchasing a GypsyMama poncho, but the instructions
below will give you a comfortable and useful garment you can make up in under
an hour and can be worn with the long part hanging to the front, back, or hip,
depending on how you are wearing your baby.
To determine how much fabric you need: decide how far down you want your poncho
to hang. Measure from the nape of your neck straight down your back, and multiply
that number by two. You may wish to add 4-6 inches to accommodate where your
baby will pull the fabric up.
Fold your fabric in half, so each finished edge (selvage) is folded in half,
and the raw edges are touching. Now fold it in half again so you can find the
center of the fabric. Use a pin or chalk to mark it.
If you want your poncho to be square, neatly trim the bottom at this time.
If you want it to be rounded, then cut it into a circle, using a tape measure
and the midpoint to make it round.
Cutting the opening: You may prefer two separate holes, one for you
and one for baby. (You can even add simple hoods made from rectangles of fabric.)
Otherwise, you will cut a long trapezoid with rounded edges. Look to where you
have marked the center. Open the fabric up so it is no longer folded. Use chalk
to trace the neckhole... darker chalk for light fleece, and white chalk for dark
fleece. First you will use a compass or other means to make a start pattern for
the neck hole about 7 inches in diameter. Once you've traced this circle, keeping
the center at the center point, it will be time to extend it to make room for
baby. From the center point you have marked, measure parallel to the selvage
edge about 12 inches. This will be the far point of your trapezoid . extend the
circle to this point, tapering it to about a 4" width at the end. You may find
different lengths and widths work for you and your baby.
Cut the neckline out neatly, and that's it! You may wish to cut fringe at
the bottom, add buttons at the wrists, or sew up the sides... this is all up
to you. Making up matching fleece hats would be an easy low-sew project.
Please send photos so I may include them with this page!!