Make an Awesome Poncho Scarf With This Super Easy Tutorial

Lydia Naomi
by Lydia Naomi
8 Materials
$15
3 Hours
Easy

Winter is here, ladies and gentlemen, and that means cold weather. What’s one winter accessory everyone must have? That’s right, a scarf! Even better than a scarf, though, is a poncho scarf that can be worn in multiple ways. In this tutorial, I will walk you through making your very own poncho scarf that you’re never going to want to take off.

Tools and materials:

  • Fabric
  • Marking chalk
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • Screwdriver
  • Iron
  • Sewing pins
  • Sewing machine
Poncho scarf measurements
Know the measurements


Let’s start with the measurements. The poncho scarf will be 47” wide by 60” long. The little square in the center will be 10” by 5”. Lastly, the cut-out area where your neck goes will be 32” by 5”. 

Poncho scarf
Trim the ends


Once you’ve got your fabric cut to the right measurements, you want to trim the ends. It’s important to keep the edges clean and straight. This makes the next step so much easier, and the scarf looking so much better.

Blanket scarf into poncho
Fringe the edges


To fringe the edges, you’re going to take the cross grains and just start pulling them out. You can use a screwdriver to help you pull the cross grains. Keep doing this until you’ve reached the desired length of the fringe. I did about an inch and I love the way it looks. I will warn you that this does take a while, but it’s really worth it and makes your scarf look so much more professional. 

Fall poncho scarf
Make the neckline


Next, you’re going to mark the neck opening, which is 32” from the hem. With the fabric folded hotdog-style, measure 2.5” from the edge. Since it’s folded, this will give you a 5” opening. Then connect this with the 32” mark with a rounded curve. Once you’re done marking it, cut it out.

Poncho scarf outfit
Cut out a rectangle


Now you need to cut out that rectangle that goes in the center. So take some spare fabric, and draw a rectangle in the measurements of 10” by 5”. Once your rectangle is cut out, you’re going to iron all of the edges of the rectangle up ¼” all the way around the perimeter. 

DIY poncho scarf
Attach the rectangle


With the right side of your poncho facing up, place your rectangle in the center, with about 2” overhanging onto the opening. Make sure the folded side is facing up as well. Then turn it over and cut out the overhanging piece. Then sew around that edge that you just cut out at about ½” seam allowance, and make sure that your folded edge stays folded. 

How to make a poncho scarf
Smooth out the stitch


After you’re done sewing the opening, you’re going to cut out little triangles, but without going too close to the actual stitching. This just helps it be really smooth when you turn it out and sew it the opposite way.

Blanket scarf
Turn and sew the rectangle


You’re now going to remove the pins from the top of the rectangle and turn it through to the other side. Then you’re going to iron it, but as you do, make sure that you’re keeping your previously ironed folds intact. After it’s nicely ironed flat, sew down the edges. Start with ¼” around the neck edge, then sew closer to the edge, all the way around.

Homemade blanket scarf
Secure your fringe


The next step is to take care of the edge. So make a stitch line all the way around, just above the fringed edges. Do this on both the top and the bottom. This will keep your fringe intact and keep it from fraying any more than your desired length and becoming messy.

How to DIY a poncho scarf
Finish the edges


Take the edge of the inner cut-out area and fold it over ¼” and then another ¼”. Then sew along the edge of that fold. You can snip any loose threads you see as you go. Stop when you get to the rectangle piece and continue on the other side of it. You’re then going to use the same method to sew the outside edges. Once you finish that part, your poncho scarf is done!

Completed poncho scarf


Wrap-around scarf


Belted poncho look


There you have it, y’all! This is such a fun and easy project to do. I know the fringing part takes some time, but otherwise, it’s also pretty quick. I love the end result; I just think it’s super cute! I also totally love how you can wear this in so many different ways. You can wear it as a poncho, as a neck scarf, or with a belt. I’m sure there are tons of other ways you can wear it as well. Do you have any ideas about how you’d wear this poncho scarf? Let me know in the comments!

Suggested materials:
  • Fabric
  • Marking chalk
  • Ruler
See all materials

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Comments
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2 of 18 comments
  • Ginny H Ginny H on Jan 26, 2022

    Nice job. Will be on the look out for my choice of fabric.

  • Bas21434322 Bas21434322 on Jan 26, 2022

    Will make wonderful home made gifts to those of us living in the cooler/colder climates. Thank you for sharing.

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