Girls Poncho Tutorial (sz 3 to 16)
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How to make a poncho: You’ll love this Summer Boho Girls Poncho tutorial because it is so easy to make! Your little missy will love the flowy fun poncho because it is trendy and fun to wear. 
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I can’t believe we only have 3 weeks left until school starts! I won’t say 3 weeks till the end of summer, because for us, summer temperatures last well into October and often into November as well.
This Girl’s Poncho project is really more of a tutorial than a pattern. I am giving you the basic measurements for the poncho, but you will use a well-fitting top (or pattern you already have) to create your own neckline.
This little poncho top is perfect for summer and will take you through the fall (and spring) for school since it covers enough to pass the majority of school dress codes.
Now… I’d like your opinion on pdf patterns. Do you prefer full printable patterns (depending on the project these can run 5 to 12 pages that need to be aligned and taped together) or just the basics that don’t require any printing (or minimal printing – with you still having to draw out much of the pattern onto the fabric.)
I have to say, my missy really loves this top! She chose this fairly thick/not see-through gauze fabric (from Joann’s) and it looks just like the poncho-style tops I love to wear.
For best results, I definitely recommend using only flowy fabrics, like rayon, knit, gauze, etc. No quilting cotton as I imagine that fabric will not be flowy at all. The fluttery flowy sleeves are what my daughter loves most about the top!
I hope your missy loves it too!
Other free tween size sewing patterns you might enjoy:
- Tie Front Top Pattern and Tutorial (free pattern – girl’s sz 3 to 14
- Girl’s Kimono Tutorial (How to sew a Kimono in girl’s sizes 3 to 16)
- High Low Ruffle Tunic Top sz 3 to 14 (Basic Tee Pattern hack)
- Perfect T-Shirt Dress Pattern and Tutorial (free pdf sewing pattern sz 3 to 12)
- Off the Shoulder Flutter Sleeve Top for Girls (sz 6 to 14)
Sewing Instructions for the Girls Poncho Pattern (sz 3 to 16)
Fit Chart (inches and lbs.):
| Size | Height (up to) | Weight (up to) |
|---|---|---|
|
3
4
5
6
7
8
10
12
14
16
|
38.5
41.5
44.5
46.5
51
53
55
57.5
60
62.5
|
32
38
44
50
60
66
74
84
96
110
|
Girls Poncho Fabric cutting guide (inches):
| Size | Width | Length |
|---|---|---|
|
3
4
5
6
7
8
10
12
14
16
|
24.625
25.875
26.875
28
29.5
30.5
31.5
32.5
33.5
34.5
|
31
33.5
36
38.5
39.75
41.25
42.75
44.75
46.75
48.75
|
Materials Needed to Make the Poncho:
- Fabric (figure amount needed from the chart above.)
- trim (optional)
- Chalk/disappearing ink fabric marker
- well fitting top or pattern (with a neckline that doesn’t need stretch to get over their head)
- basic sewing supplies
Products used and Recommended:
- My favorite fabric shop for knits: Funkalicious Fabrics and Girl Charlee. My favorite shop for cottons and other fabrics: Fabric.com
- My Sewing Machine: SINGER 9960 Quantum Stylist, my coverstitch: Janome Cover Pro 1000cpx
- My Serger: Brother 1034D 3 or 4 Thread Serger or you can just use Pinking Shears
- Rotary Cutter
- I love my large ruler and large cutting mat, but you may prefer to start off with a smaller Cutting set
- Dritz Dual Purpose Marking Pen and Fray Check
- Wonder clips (I didn’t use these in the post, but they are just awesome!
Sewing Instructions:
Cut out fabric according to fit chart above. (I find it easier to fold the length in half for cutting.)
Step 2: Trace and cut neckline.
Fold fabric in half side to side.
Fold the shirt you are tracing in half and line the fold of the shirt up with the fold of the poncho fabric. Shoulder seams should line up with the top of the fabric.
Trace the neckline with chalk or disappearing ink marker.
Flip the fabric around so you are looking at the back and fold in half again.
Flip the shirt that you are tracing around so you see the back neckline. Line up the neckline as before, matching the front fold and shoulder seams. Trace the neckline out onto the fabric.
Tip: if you are using chalk, don’t do this step on carpet – carpet is too soft and it was ridiculously hard to trace, lol!
When you open up the fabric long ways, it will look like this:
Cut the neckline out 1/4 inch away from your drawn line. It is very important to cut the neckline out in one piece as we will use this piece to create the neckline facing.
I added a quick little private video to youtube that I shot from my phone, to better explain this step. See it here.
Step 3: Create Facing Pattern and cut out.
Line up the folded neckline scrap piece up along the fold of fabric.
Trace the cut-out piece from the neckline onto the fabric. Draw around the tracing of the neckline about 2 inches out. Cut out this piece to create the facing. Watch the video clip for better explanation here.
Step 4: Attach facing to poncho.
Finish the outer edge of the facing with a serger, zig zag stitch or pinking shears.
Right sides together, line up the facing with the poncho neckline. Pin in place and sew along the neckline, 1/4 inch from the edge.
Flip the facing to the inside of the poncho and press.
Topstich around the neckline.
Here is another little video explaining this step.
Step 5: Hem Edges and add trim. (optional)
Hem all sides of the poncho with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Add trim along the bottom if desired.
Step 6: Create sleeves.
Find the midpoint from neckline to sleeve edge, mark about 1 inch toward the sleeve. Measure from shoulder to hem and divide into thirds. Mark these points. Sew a straight line between the 2 markings at the should point you marked earlier.
That’s it you’re done, have your missy try on her new poncho and pose for a few photos! Please be sure to come back and share a picture of your finished project on my facebook page or tag me on Instagram using #scatteredmompatterns.
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