Make a no-sew fleece poncho for a toddler! So cute and cozy for fall, it's like a blanket for their shoulders! I'll share this quick 10 minute project with an optional ruffle detail.
My mom called me the other day and told me about a little project that she made for her friend's daughter. She thought Kaylee would like it too. I agreed!
It was a little no-sew fleece poncho that she found online.
I told Kaylee about it and told her it was a little blanket for her shoulders. She was thrilled to go to Joann's and pick out some fabric for her new "shoulder blanket".
¾ of a yard of fleece will make 2 of these no-sew fleece ponchos. I didn't need 2 so I used the scraps to make her a little scarf with the scraps.
Measure the length from one wrist, across the chest, and all the way to the other wrist. This will be the measurement for the square of fleece. I used a 27"x27" square for this one.
If you'd like to keep this a no-sew project, you can stop right there, but I thought I'd add a little ruffle. I cut a strip of fleece twice as long as the square and stitched through the center, pulling the end strings to scrunch it. Then pinned it to the fabric, stretching and adjusting as I went.
There was extra on the ends so I just trimmed that part off.
Then I folded it in half diagonally and made the hole for her head. This little bowl is 4" in diameter and was perfect. I just used it as my guide. You'll just need a semi-circle shape on the fold.
Fleece is stretchy. It's better to start small and make the hole bigger if you need to later. If you made the ruffle, you can just back stitch a few stitches to keep the ends from unraveling after cutting the hole for the head.
There are several ways to finish the bottom. You can just leave it or cut it with pinking shears, or create a fringe. I just trimmed 2" up across the bottom to create a fringe. I didn't tie the ends, just left them like fringe.
It was so easy to make and only cost around $3 that I decided to make her 2. The one pictured, and another little black with white polka dot one.
The perfect little blanket for her shoulders.
***My little gal is 38" tall. ¾ yard of fleece is about 27" and is perfect for a little girl her size (3-4 years). You can adjust accordingly to fit your child. If making for a child 5-8 years old you'll probably need a yard.***
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Be sure to check out my No-Sew Projects Pinterest board for even more ideas!
Cathy Streett says
My advice is to start smaller with the neck sizing. I did the math for my toddler granddaughter and ended up with a 6.3" which was enough for my head....so I added the cowl from the other link and fingers crossed that it'll work out when she puts it on tomorrow. I loved adding the ruffle too, great addition. The fabric had flowers and lady bugs so I used an accent color for the ruffle and cut out the flowers and bugs and tacked them to the ribbon. I added ladybug buttons in the center of the flowers too. Very cute.
Nancy says
What size rectangle would recommend for a child that is about 5 years old?? She would be about 6 inches taller than the pink one pictured
.
Thanks
Brandy says
Hi Nancy! Measure the length from one wrist, across the chest, and all the way to the other wrist and cut out a square that measurement. My 8 year old uses a 36" square. Hope that helps!
Peggy says
I’m hoping to make one of these for a 10 year old granddaughter. I was wondering about a finished edge around the neck. Does it stretch out, losing its shape with no finished edge? Suggestions welcome.
Brandy says
Hi Peggy! That’s the nice thing about fleece, it won’t fray or really stretch out. My daughter wore here until she grew out of it—- no issues! 🙂
J says
Thank you so much for this super cute tutorial. I whipped one up for a a little girl's birthday today along with a matching ear warmer head band thing. I loved how the ruffle made it look a little more than just a hole cut out of a square of fleece.
Shawna says
Adorable! I don't sew, but I do crochet. I think I might give this a try and then crochet a scalloped edge around the bottom. Thanks for the tutorial!
Brandy says
I can't crochet, but I can sew. I'd love to learn someday! 🙂 I think the scalloped edge sounds adorable, what a darling poncho it will be!
CTD says
Thanks for this wonderful idea! I'm not very crafty so I had a question. For the white strip of fabric, you stitch it down the middle, pull it to scrunch it, and then pin it to the main fabric... then what? Do you sow it again to the main fabric? Sorry it's hard for me to understand instructions some times! 🙂
Brandy says
No worries! You have it exactly right! Just stitch over the middle stitches in the center again after you pin it! 🙂
8c008e14-ae93-11e2-8414-000bcdcb2996 says
So clear! And finding the center for the head hole cut is so much simpler than the fold- in-half and then fold-in-half instructions I have seen. Thank you!
Lorna Doone Brewer says
I'm really interested in trying this and wanted to know how you dealt with the ruffle when you cut the hole for the head.
Brandy says
Hi Lorna,
I just cut the hole out and since it didn't fray since it is fleece, I didn't hem it or anything. But I did have to back stitch a few stitches since I cut through the ruffle stitching when I cut the hole. I can't believe I didn't add that to the post! It's been a year since I wrote this up. Thanks so much, I'll add that.
Jessica says
This is so cute. I posted a tutorial to a no sew fleece hat last week. I would love for you to share this with my readers on my Monday craft linky:
http://www.clipwithpurpose.com/made-for-you-monday-craft-linky-6/
Natasha Mairs says
So Cute
Natasha xx
http://www.serenityyou.blogspot.com
shirley says
So cute and makes me sigh. With 4 boys, no cute little poncho in my house. Alas, my niece will look adorable. Thanks for sharing!
The Stevens Family says
Love this idea! I found you thru your rock candy idea on Pintrest. Will be following you now, you're my kinda girl! 🙂
Lisa
Lindsi B says
GORGEOUS!!!! I found you on Tip Junkie! I would like to invite you to share this post with our readers for Fun Stuff Fridays. http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2012/01/fun-stuff-fridays-7.html
Krista says
This is so cute! My daughter would love this! 🙂
Melissa says
Gorgeous! And what a happy little model 🙂
Marybeth says
This is just adorable, I am new to your blog, and love it. I just forwarded to my 3 grown daughters, I know they will love it too. Take care and TFS
Binge Crafter says
This is so cute! I've been wanting to make my toddler a poncho and this is perfect! TFS! Found you through Skip to My Lou!
Mary Jo says
Great idea! I'm going to pin it and try to get to it this winter. 🙂
Jamie says
That is awesome! love it. 🙂 now, if i only had a little girl to make that for...
Michelle says
This is AMAZING!!! I am going to pin this!!
Michelle
http://www.delicateconstruction.com
Ruby Jean says
This is so Very Cute and Sweet.. And not to mention SUPER easy... And don't we ALL Love that... 🙂 I would love for you to stop in and share it http://shoprubyjean.com/2012/01/sew-crafty-tuesday-linky-4-and-giveaway/
Christine says
OMG!! OMG!! OMG!!!!!!!
I don't sew.... this is PERFECT for me to try!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Check out my blog too:
http://thediydreamer.blogspot.com/
mellywoods5 says
love this and I think the ruffle just makes it so pretty. Going to make one for my 2 & 10 year old girls
Stephanie says
So cute, Brandy! Kaylee is so big now. When we moved, she was just babbling! I miss your cute family. 🙂
glamourpuss says
This is so precious! I just may have to add it to my "to sew" list for my lil sweetie! Love the polka dots!! 🙂
Kristy says
That is so darling and you made it look so simple I'm just going to have to try it! I have the perfect fleece remnant too, so it's going to be such an inexpensive project. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Tonii says
Ooohhh..thank you so much for sharing this! I am all about anything NO sew 😉 And your daughter is darling!