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!
