You can find other Make with Me posts here.

Last year I started a Make with Me series. The name is a bit of a misnomer, because so far I’ve always finished the thing before I even invite you to start making. Gotta stay ahead of the game.

I usually make up for not following the rules of a make-a-long by giving you the links to any patterns and/or helpful resources…. until today. Today I just give you pictures and a good “go get ’em” punch in the arm. But really, you should try to make this, it’s so cozy and and comes together with a few mostly-straight seams. 

I already own a top that’s very similar to this one. I’ve been wearing it all winter over leggings and it’s become my uniform for whenever I have to take the kids somewhere that’s not nature play. For that I wear my overalls, because I’m a creature of habit.

Anyway, this oversized poncho-like thing is so cozy and easy to slip on that I wanted a second one. So, armed with a bit of know-how from Cal Patch’s Pattern Drafting class on Creative Bug (remember when I told you that you can access these classes for free with your library card?!), I was feeling pretty confident that I could cut out a big square and sew it together.

I used a few yards of sweater-like knit fabric from Joann’s (purchased on sale because I’m no fool). Whenever you’re purchasing a patterned fabric like this, remember to buy enough so that you can match up the pattern along the seams.

I may eventually try to draft a pattern, but I can tell you that making this is absurdly simple. Cut two large squares to your desired dimensions. Mine are 35 inches wide x 30 inches high. In the middle of the front square cut out a shallow u-shape that’s 12 inches wide and 4 inches deep in the middle. Cut out a large rectangle of fabric for the neck. I made my neck fabric extra long (25 inches) so that when folded over on itself and bunched up it created a nice thick neck. You could do the same, or cut a shorter rectangle if you want something less bulky.

Sew together the should seams. Sew the bottom half of the sides together. Hem around the bottom and around the arm holes. Pin and sew the neck to the neck hole. I didn’t seam the unfinished end of my neck piece (I fold it in on itself).

So easy, so cozy. Make one (with me)!