Thursday, January 07, 2016

Fringed Benefits!

I can't believe I went this long without embracing the fringed trend.  I dabbled at it bit with a fringed chiffon kimono that I love.  And I wanted something like that for cold weather.  I wanted to keep my fringe trend mild, because a lot of what I saw was almost too trendy to for me and Lord knows, I love a great trend!
What I like about this (is it a poncho, a wrap or a cape?? ), -- I'm going to call it a fringed wrap -- is that even though it has a fringed trim it's really classic.  And a piece you can reach for when it's chilly for years to come.
I was inspired by this gorgeous Etro fringed poncho worn by Nausheen Shah.  I'm totally hating I didn't take the time to add pockets!  How chic is she?
This piece is completely DIY... and cut free-handed.  I had a chuckle with Oonaballoona on IG because I refused to call this drafting.  Slicing up the middle of fabric and hemming does not constitute drafting.  This wrap was very simple to make.  It was really a spur of the moment project and I didn't take time to photograph while making it.
My fabric is a Linton tweed boucle' that I've had for several years, that was hanging around waiting to become a Chanel-style jacket.  I made a Chanel-style jacket before... with ALL of the hand sewing hoopla.  It hangs in my closet for the sentimentality.  It's too big now and I doubt I'll ever wear it again.  Unless oversized Chanel jackets become tres chic!
So briefly, here's how I made this, it's ridiculously simple:

I folded my 2.5-3 yds of fabric in half, cut ends together.  Then I folded in half again, longwise.  I put a pin in the top of the fold.  This marks the center where the neck will be.  You need something circular to use to make a cut the size of your neck.  I used a bread plate and trace half the circumference on the side of the fold that will be the front.  I drew straight lines down each side of the half-circle's points.  This created the front opening.  And I cut that part out.  You now have a poncho-wrap.  For my finishing I fringed the bottom.  I decided how long I wanted my fringe to be and I stitched above that.  Then I removed all of the cross yarns.  This part takes a while.  Put on a movie or a TV show and go for it.  Then I hemmed the opening with a 5/8". 
If I find another great piece of fabric that wants to become a poncho-wrap, I'll make sure to take detail pictures and give you a much better tutorial.  

Stay warm!

22 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:03 PM

    These wraps are great--so cozy and stylish--and super simple to make. I made two for Christmas gifts and need to make another for myself. I did even hem the outside edges... just took advantage of the salvage and let it do the work for me. I love that you chose the boucle. It looks great!

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  2. Great minds, Erica. I cut a big rectangle a few days ago to do something similar to this, but stuck a couple of armholes in it too - up on IG today ;)... my post will probably go up tomorrow. I copied a RTW cardi I tried on - unfortunately I didn't have any cashmere on hand like it's RTW namesake...oh to be swathed in so much cashmere! However, now I see your very Chanelesque version with the fringing and I desperately want to copy this too now...is it possible to have too many such wraps in one's closet... I think not. You look wonderful as always.

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    1. Yours is awesome! These are such versatile pieces that are so fun to wear! Thanks Debbie!

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  3. Oh and pockets! Genius...I need pockets in a wrap!

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    1. Yes! Pockets make everything better!

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  4. I love it, this would my go to for cold weather, very nice. I have fabric that's in my stash for a chanal jacket but not feeling it, using it for this wrap, hmmmmmm. Thinking and thinking, I think to much, just need to do it. Lol

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  5. What a great use of a fabric brought for another purpose! A little effort with a lot of punch...love this on you!

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  6. Adorable. I was in Hancock’s the other day and saw a gorgeous boucle that would be perfect for this. I’ve been wanting a wrap like this because I can’t stand for my neck to get cold, but I don’t really like ponchos. I can’t believe I didn’t think to make one of these.

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    1. So much better than a poncho! Thanks Roslyn!

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  7. "Ruana." Name for this type of wrap comes from the Andean regions of Venezuela and Colombia. Can also include a hood.

    Knowing the correct name makes it easier to search for patterns to make one, lol.

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    1. Thanks so much! I love learning something new!

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  8. Anonymous10:56 AM

    You better claim that drafting, Erica! hehehe Gorgeous, no matter how much or little effort it took!

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  9. Love it! .. I have a great piece of material I could use as a wrap. Thanks!

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  10. Fabulous! I love your trim and wondered at first where you'd found it. I hope these wraps are still fashionable when I don't have little ones to carry around.

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    1. I doubt that they'll be going anywhere! Thanks Amanda!

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  11. What a fun cape! Beautiful!

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  12. Thanks! love this look - I too have a boucle hanging in my stash for the perfect Chanel jacket but I think a Cape is in order! I think I get the gist of what you were saying but a tutorial would help if you want to make another.

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