DIY Network

Ultimate Baby Gift Basket: Baby/Toddler Poncho This adorable felt poncho will keep your favorite baby warm in style. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-131

Felt ponchos are the focus as Jenny Brandt cuts a piece of felt into a quick, cuddly poncho for a baby. The only sewing required is used to attach the trim, embellish with rickrack and affix a patch to finish it off.

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Materials:

Baby/Toddler Poncho

1 yd. fleece
24"-30" rickrack
3 yds. trim
1 patch or appliqué
pattern paper
measuring tape and straightedge (or yardstick)
pencil or pen
scissors
chalk
sewing machine or needle and thread

Creating the Pattern

Jenny Brandt used a diamond-shaped pattern measuring 28" wide by 36" high. This size will wrap around a newborn and grow with the child until about the age of 4. Feel free to adjust width or height measurements as needed.

1. To make the pattern, lay out the 28" width across the paper, taking care to mark the center at 14" with an X.

	Figure A
	Figure B

2. Use a yardstick to draw the 36" length perpendicular to and centered on the X.

3. Connect the 4 points of the diamond and cut the pattern out. Also mark a head opening of 8", front to back, centered on the X.

Cutting Out

1. Lay the pattern atop the fleece, trace the outline in chalk (figure A) and cut out.

2. Fold the diamond in half lengthwise and widthwise to find the center. Mark with chalk and make a single 4" cut into the fold at the center mark (figure B).

You now have a diamond-shaped body piece with a head opening and are ready to trim and embellish the poncho.

Trimming and Finishing

	Figure C
	Figure D

1. Add pompon trim in a coordinating color (figure C). You'll need 94", or just under 3 yards. Lay the pompon or fringe binding along the poncho edge and secure by hand or with a medium zigzag stitch by machine.

2. Use a small diagonal fold to miter each corner and continue along the next edge and all the way around.

3. Depending on the color and pattern, Jenny Brandt often trims the neck area in rickrack. You'll need 24"-30" of rickrack to run a border about 1"-2" away from the head opening.

4. Decide which end will be the back of the poncho and begin laying the rickrack there (figure D). Use a small zigzag stitch by machine or hand-sew to fasten down the rickrack all the way around.

5. Finish the head opening with a small or medium machine zigzag stitch or hand-sewn blanket stitch in a coordinating color.

6. Hand- or machine-stitch an embroidered patch or appliqué of your choice over the heart area.

GUESTS :

Jenny Brandt
E-mail: gobabyponchos@yahoo.com
Website: www.gobabyponchos.com